Funding that does not dilute.
WHAT GRANTS PROVIDE
Money with no repayment and no ownership given up.
WHAT THEY REQUIRE
Meeting eligibility criteria A competitive application Delivery of what was promised Reporting afterwards
WHO PROVIDES THEM
Government programmes Development agencies Foundations Corporate programmes Competitions
WHAT THEY TYPICALLY TARGET
Defined sectors Defined groups
Specific outcomes: employment, exports, innovation
WHAT TO ESTABLISH FIRST
Whether you genuinely qualify.
WHY
Applications are laborious, and ineligible ones waste weeks.
WHAT TO READ CAREFULLY
The criteria The assessment method What the money may be spent on Reporting obligations
WHY SPENDING RESTRICTIONS MATTER
Grant money frequently cannot be used for what you most need.
WHAT APPLICATIONS TYPICALLY REQUIRE
Registration documents Financial statements A detailed proposal Budget Evidence of capacity
WHAT TO DO
Answer every question, in the order asked.
WHY
Assessment is scored against a list.
WHAT DISQUALIFIES APPLICATIONS
Missing documents Late submission Ignoring the stated format
WHAT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF
Anyone charging fees to access grant opportunities Guarantees of success
WHAT TO PLAN FOR
Reporting obligations that continue for years.
WHAT TO BUDGET
The time to comply with them.
