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The GrEEn Acceleration Service Programme
Successful businesses have an established track record of quality service or product delivery and as a result, generate revenue however small that may be. They are also scalable, investable and show sustainable growth potential. Under the GrEEn Accelerator Service Programme (GASP), existing SMEs will be supported to transform their business behaviours and remodel their business ideas as well as trends to take advantage of emerging market opportunities and improve their business growth. Additionally, they will be guided to develop and utilise resources which contribute to innovation, productivity and scaling, making them more businesses-investment savvy and attractive to investors.
Who Does GASP Target?
The GrEEn Acceleration Service Programme (GASP) targets youth, women and returning migrants between the ages of 15 and 35 years who are operating in either the sustainable climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sectors. Prospective businesses must be scalable, investable and must show potential to grow within months.
Under GASP, Entrepreneurs and SMEs Will Get Access To
Expert mentoring and highly valued business advice services in the green sector
Business coaching services from some of the most experienced hubs in Ghana and across the world
Innovative financial services opportunities such as crowdfunding
Market linkages with complementary service providers and actors in the green ecosystem
Peer-to-peer networking and exchanges
Office space with 24/7 internet connectivity
Business management training
Business support services
SME Shortlisting Criteria for GrEEn incubation Support
Under Result 4, SNV will provide incubation and acceleration services to qualified SMEs. The GrEEn Incubation Programme will support businesses and start-ups who are at early stages of development (pre-revenue) to make better use of natural resources, be energy efficient, properly manage waste and pollution and operate profitable business ventures in the areas of Agriculture, Renewable Energy and WASH. The main purpose of this document is to provide guidance and information on processes for selecting and enrolling SMEs for incubation services.
Eligibility Criteria
When the applications are received, project officers of service providers will conduct a brief preliminary screening to verify eligibility, and shortlist them for face-to-face interviews or pitch. The interviews shall be used to explore the specific interests of applicants. Screening will be guided by the following specific criteria.
The start-up must have an existing product or service in Agribusiness, Renewable Energy or WASH, covering an aspect of green or circular economy.
The owner(s) of the business must be aged 15-35 years. (*Women can be above the age of 35 but no older than 40). Same applies to entrepreneurs yet to start their businesses.
The entrepreneur must be available for the duration of the programme and must be able to attend at least 80% of all programme activities.
The entrepreneur must not be engaged in any conflicting programme for the duration of the programme.
The entrepreneur must be resident and have their business located in the Ashanti/Western Region for at least 6 months.
The business can be registered as either a for profit or not-for-profit however, it must be financially viable.
Baseline Data Collection
• Baseline data will be collected on participants only after beneficiaries have been selected to participate in the programme, and they have confirmed their participation. Therefore, baseline data on applicants will be collected when training starts
• A link will be shared with the entrepreneurs, and they will be required to complete the forms within 5 working days
• In addition, SNV has adopted/proposed a quasi-experimental design for project evaluation, using a ‘difference in differences approach’. Consequently, some of the applicants who are positively screened but who are not eventually selected for participation, shall be selected to constitute a comparison group for the study. Baseline data will therefore be collected on this category of applicants with their consent