GIZ GmbH - The develoPPP Ventures Ideas Competition for Young Entrepreneurs 2026

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, in collaboration with DEG Impulse gGmbH and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is accepting applications for the develoPPP Ventures Ideas Competition for Young Entrepreneurs 2026. This initiative supports young companies in scaling innovative business models in selected emerging markets, creating a positive impact, and contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

📖 About the Competition

The competition aims to empower young entrepreneurs by providing resources to scale their businesses. It focuses on innovative business models that have high development relevance and scalability, contributing to achieving the SDGs.

🎁 Benefits

Participants in the competition can expect the following benefits:

• Non-dilutive capital of EUR 100,000 (with a potential top-up for successful ventures in a second phase).
• Matching funds requirement:
  • The company must secure matching funds equal to the non-dilutive capital in the form of a cash injection from other investors.
  • Matching funds can be considered if received up to 6 months prior to the application and are still available for the develoPPP Ventures investment.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the competition, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• The company must be registered in the target country or plan to register there before the co-financed growth investment.
• The business must pursue an innovative business model and already generate initial revenues (proof of concept).
• The business model should have high development relevance and scalability and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

📅 Application Date and Process

• The application process is handled via two platforms, depending on the target country:
  • For start-ups active in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, or South Africa, use the OAP application platform.
  • For start-ups active in Kenya, Tanzania, or Rwanda, use the VC4A application platform.

🗓️ Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the competition is 30 June, 2026.

🌟 Sponsor Organization

The competition is sponsored by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

For more details and to apply, visit the official GIZ GmbH - The develoPPP Ventures Ideas Competition page.

• DEG Impulse and GIZ provide non-dilutive capital of EUR 100,000 (and a top-up for successful Ventures in a potential second phase).
• The company must receive matching funds equaling the amount of the non-dilutive capital in the form of cash injection from other investors. Matching funds can be considered if received up to 6 months prior to the application and still available for the develoPPP Ventures investment.