Fifth Call for Funding Applications - FUNGUO TANZANIA

The Fifth Call for Funding Applications from Tanzania's FUNGUO Innovation Programme, co-funded by the European Union, British Government (FCDO), and Republic of Finland, offers catalytic non-equity performance-based grants to early- and growth-stage Tanzanian startups and MSMEs. This call prioritizes agritech and food systems innovation, digital technology (fintech, healthtech, edtech), and critical minerals value chain ventures.

Eligible businesses must be legally registered in Tanzania, majority Tanzanian-owned (51%+), post-MVP with market traction, and have raised under $100,000 to date. The submission deadline is May 31, 2026. Selected ventures also receive technical assistance, investor networking, and business development support.

Fifth Call for Funding – FUNGUO TANZANIA Fifth Call for Funding Applications The UNDP’s FUNGUO Innovation Programme is a catalytic intervention designed to strengthen Tanzania’s innovation ecosystem by enabling youth-led, impact-driven startups and innovative MSMEs to grow into scalable, investment-ready enterprises.

Implemented in partnership with Tanzanian enterprise support organizations (ESOs) and co-funded by the European Union, the British Government (FCDO), and the Republic of Finland, FUNGUO operates in the “missing middle” of the startup ecosystem—where promising ventures exist but struggle to access suitable and patient capital, high-quality support services, and enabling policies.

FUNGUO applies an integrated, systems-based approach that combines three mutually reinforcing pillars, viz Catalytic innovation financing, Strengthened innovation service delivery and an improved enabling environment for youth- and women-led enterprises At its core, FUNGUO de-risks early-stage innovation by providing catalytic grants alongside tailored technical assistance to help ventures formalize, strengthen governance, refine business models, and become credible to investors.

This is complemented by deliberate pipeline development—particularly through initiatives such as #YouthIgnite Student Founders Fellowship, and by ecosystem strengthening efforts, including support to enterprise support organizations (ESOs) and coordination through platforms such as the Tanzania Hubs Network and Zanzibar Startup Association.

The Programme has demonstrated strong results at both enterprise and ecosystem levels, supporting 88 startup ventures and 60 student-founded businesses across Tanzania, catalyzing job creation (over 10,000 jobs created and/or sustained), increasing business formalization, and crowding in private capital (Over half of the portfolio secured follow-on financing, leveraging more than three shillings for every shilling invested by the programme).

Beyond firm-level impact, FUNGUO has contributed to strengthening national innovation infrastructure through convening platforms such as Innovation Week Tanzania and targeted interventions in key sectors, including green and rural value chains through the #GreenCatalyst Initiative.

Building on these achievements, the Fifth Call for Funding Applications seeks to deepen impact by prioritizing high-potential sectors that are critical to Tanzania’s economic transformation, job creation, and sustainable development. 2.

Purpose of the 5th Call This Fifth Call for Funding Applications targets early- and growth-stage businesses that meet the following criteria: Showcase innovation in products, services, business models, or processes. Are actively working to scale their solutions but face limitations in accessing funding from conventional sources.

Demonstrate high potential for impact in areas such as youth employment, gender inclusion, climate action, digital transformation, or sustainable livelihoods. While the Call remains open to all qualifying innovative ventures, special emphasis is placed on businesses operating within the priority focus areas outlined below .

Innovative ventures transforming Tanzania’s agricultural sector through food systems innovation, agritech, post-harvest solutions, market linkages, and sustainable agriculture practices. This includes businesses improving food security, reducing post-harvest losses, connecting smallholder farmers to markets, and advancing climate-smart agricultural production.

Tech and tech-enabled solutions delivering impact across key sectors including fintech, healthtech, edtech, e-commerce, and productivity. This thematic area is also open to any other business fundamentally powered by digital technology to solve real market problems, improve service delivery, or expand economic inclusion.

Critical Minerals Value Chain Innovative ventures leveraging Tanzania’s significant mineral resources for value addition and sustainable livelihoods. This includes businesses involved in downstream processing, supply chain development, responsible sourcing, and community-linked enterprise models that maximize the economic and social returns from Tanzania’s critical mineral endowments.

Across all three thematic areas, successful applicants must meet the following criteria: Showcase innovation in products, services, business models, or processes. Are actively working to scale their solutions, but face limitations in accessing funding from conventional sources. Demonstrate high potential for impact in areas such as youth employment, gender inclusion, climate action, digital transformation, or sustainable livelihoods.

What Successful Applicants Receive Selected enterprises will benefit from: Catalytic funding (non-equity, performance-based grants). Technical assistance, including business development, investment readiness, and impact measurement support. Visibility and networking opportunities with potential investors, partners, and ecosystem actors.

Access to FUNGUO’s learning and collaboration platforms. This call for funding application is open to ventures that do no harm to people and the environment and meet the following basic criteria: For-profit entities or market-oriented social enterprises that can be characterised as “startups”. Legally registered in Tanzania (incorporated or with a business name registration).

Majority-owned by Tanzanian citizens (by 51% and above) Beyond ideation and pilot stage, with a minimum viable product that has some market traction (post-revenue). Have not raised more than $100,000 in funding (in Equity or debt) to date. Only applications that meet the above eligibility requirements will be scored against the evaluation criteria described below.

NOTE: For more information about what makes a business a startup, you can refer to these resources provided by Startup Commons. Funding will be provided to incorporated businesses only. If a startup with a business name registration happens to be selected, it will be required to incorporate before the disbursement can be made.

Eligible applications will be scored against the following evaluation criteria, and only applications that score at least 70 out of 100 will be considered successful and move to the due diligence stage.

The eligible applicants must demonstrate how innovative they are in terms of products or services they offer, processes, additionality, unique selling proposition, or unique experience they create for their clientele, etc. as compared to the competition.

NOTE: An innovative business is one that continuously introduces or applies new ideas, products, services, processes, or business models to solve problems, meet market needs, or create new demand—often in ways that are more efficient, effective, or impactful than existing alternatives.

Business Viability & Potential to Scale - 30 points To be eligible under this criterion, applicants must clearly demonstrate that their business can generate sufficient revenue and profit to sustain itself in the short to medium term. They should also show potential for long-term growth by outlining how they intend to scale their operations, offerings, and market reach.

Below are the guiding questions from the application form related to this criterion: Who are your target clients, and how do you reach them? What are the main revenue streams of your business? How do you plan to scale your business?

What assumptions are these projections based on? How would you describe the market your business is serving – is it growing, stagnant, or declining? How is your business positioned to thrive in this market?

What partnerships do you currently have or plan to establish to enhance your business viability? What are the three biggest risks facing your business, and how do you plan to mitigate them? Applicants are encouraged to provide clear, data-informed responses supported by relevant documentation where applicable.

Team & Management - 20 points Applicants must demonstrate that they have the right expertise, leadership capacity, and human resources to effectively grow and scale their business. The team should also show a strong grasp of how their target market operates, ideally with team members who have direct experience with the problem being addressed or a deep understanding of their customers’ needs and challenges.

The following questions from the application form are designed to assess this: Generally, how would you describe your team based on their individual and collective expertise and experience in your kind of business? What’s your management structure like? Do you have a board of directors and/or advisory board?

Clear and detailed responses to these questions will help evaluators assess whether your team is well-positioned to implement and scale your solution effectively. Development Impact - 15 points Eligible businesses must demonstrate a strong and measurable positive impact on people and the environment. The venture must not cause harm and should have a business model that delivers meaningful developmental benefits.

This includes contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through actions such as increasing local incomes, conserving natural resources, improving access to essential services, and creating decent employment opportunities.

The following questions in the application form will help assess your business’s development impact: Briefly describe your business’s positive development impact: (Explain how your business contributes to the SDGs through income generation, resource conservation, improved access to services, and job creation) How many direct and indirect jobs is your business expected to create or sustain in the next 2 years?

How do you expect to track other development impact indicators that your business is expected to contribute towards? Applicants are encouraged to be specific and data-driven in describing their impact, and to outline how they plan to measure and report on it.

30 April 2026: Official Launch of the Call for Funding Applications 01 – 30 May 2025: Info sessions, outreach, Q&A 31 May 2026 (23:59 EAT): Submission Deadline 1 st June – 15 July 2026: Review, due diligence, approval processes July 2026: Official unveiling of successful applicants The applicant must submit a complete application form online: APPLY NOW Only applications submitted online via the provided links and with all the required documentation will be considered.

Applicants will be required to attach some basic documents, including but not limited to a business pitch deck (if available), proof of company registration, proof of shareholding, e.g. Memorandum and Articles of Association (where applicable); 2-year financial projections, profiles of key personnel, etc. It’s advisable that these documents are prepared well in advance. For support and any queries, send an email to funding@funguo.

org Wito wa Nne wa Maombi ya Ufadhili wa FUNGUO Uwezeshaji Chochezi kwa Biashara Chipukizi (Startups), Ndogo na Kati (MSMEs) Bunifu zenye Matokeo chanya Tanzania MAOMBI YA 2025 YAMEFUNGWA 1. Muhtasari wa Programu.

Programu ya Ubunifu ya FUNGUO ( Funguo Innovation Programme) ni juhudi za ushirikiano wa wadau mbalimbali unaolenga kufungua uwezo wa biashara chipukizi (startups) na biashara ndogo na za kati (MSMEs) bunifu ambazo zinalenga kuleta athari chanya nchini Tanzania. Programu hii hutoa ruzuku chochezi kwa biashara , msaada wa kitaalamu , na huimarisha mazingira ya ubunifu kwa wajasiriamali .

FUNGUO inafadhiliwa kwa pamoja na Umoja wa Ulaya , Serikali ya Uingereza ( kupitia FCDO), na Jamhuri ya Finland, na inatekelezwa na UNDP Tanzania. Pia inashirikiana na wadau wengine kama vile mashirika ya kusaidia biashara ( mfano : ANZA, StartHub Africa, WSHA), pamoja na taasisi za serikali zikiwemo COSTECH na nyinginezo .

Programu ya FUNGUO inaendana na Ajenda ya Maendeleo ya Taifa na Malengo ya Maendeleo Endelevu (SDGs), kwa lengo la kuongeza idadi ya biashara chipukizi (startups) na biashara ndogo na za kati (MSMEs) zinazoleta manufaa jumuishi ya kijamii na kimazingira , na faida za kibiashara . 2. Lengo la Wito wa Nne wa Maombi.

Mwito huu unawalenga biashara chipukizi na zile zilizoanza kukua ambazo : ● Zinaleta mchango mkubwa katika maeneo kama ajira kwa vijana , usawa wa kijinsia , mabadiliko ya tabianchi , mabadiliko ya kidijitali , na maisha endelevu . ● Zinaonesha ubunifu katika bidhaa , huduma , mchakato au mifumo ya biashara . ● Zina nia ya kupanua biashara lakini zinakosa ufadhili kutoka taasisi za kifedha za kawaida .

● Zinafanya kazi kwa kuzingatia uendelevu na ustahimili kwa jamii . FUNGUO inalenga kusaidia biashara ambazo zipo katikati – zimepita hatua ya mawazo lakini bado hazijafikia uwezo wa kupata uwekezaji mkubwa .

Kupitia msaada wa kifedha na kitaalamu , programu inasaidia : ● Kujenga mfumo thabiti wa biashara zenye uwezo mkubwa wa kufanikiwa na kuvutia ufadhili zaidi kutoka kwa wawekezaji wakubwa ● Kuimarisha mazingira ya ubunifu nchini kwa kushirikiana na wahusika wengine kama mashirika au progrmau zinazochochea uanzishaji na ukuaji wa biashara , taasisi za fedha , na serikali Manufaa kwa Waombaji Watakaofaulu Biashara zitakazochaguliwa zitapata : ● Ruzuku chochezi kwa biashara ( haitahusisha kugawa hisa , itatolewa kuendana na utendaji na mafanikio ya biashara ) ● Msaada wa kitaalamu utakaochochea maendeleo chanya ya biashara , maandalizi na utayari wa uwekezaji , na tathmini ya mchango wa biashara kwa jamii .

● Nafasi za kujitangaza , kujifunza , na kuunganishwa na wawekezaji na wadau mbalimbali wa biashara na ubunifu . ● Uwezo wa kushiriki katika majukwaa ya mafunzo na ushirikiano ya FUNGUO Wito huu wa maombi ya ufadhili uko wazi kwa taasisi ambazo : ● Zinazolenga kuapata faida au mashirika ya kijamii yanayoendeshwa kibiashara na yanaweza kufafanuliwa kama biashara chipukizi ("startups").

● Zimesajiliwa rasmi Tanzania – ikiwa ni kampuni iliyosajiliwa au jina la biashara lililosajiliwa kisheria . ● Zinamilikiwa kwa zaidi ya asilimia 51% na raia wa Tanzania. ● Zimepita hatua ya wazo na majaribio – zina bidhaa au huduma inayouzwa na kuthibitisha mahitaji kutoka kwa wateja .

● Hazijapokea zaidi ya dola 100,000 za Kimarekani ( kwa njia ya uwekezaji wa hisa au mkopo ) hadi sasa . Nani anastahili kuwasilisha ombi? - Mashirika ya kibiashara au biashara za kijamii zenye malengo ya kibiashara.

- Yaliyosajiliwa kisheria nchini Tanzania. - Yanayomilikiwa kwa zaidi ya asilimia 51% na raia wa Tanzania. - Yaliyovuka hatua ya wazo (ideation), yakiwa tayari na bidhaa ya awali inayoweza kutumika (minimum viable product) na ushahidi wa kuvutia wateja sokoni.

- Ambayo hayajapata ufadhili wa zaidi ya dola 100,000 za Kimarekani (kwa mtaji wa hisa au mkopo) hadi sasa. Maombi yote yatakayokidhi vigezo vya kushiriki vilivyoelezwa hapo juu ndiyo yatakayoendelea kutathminiwa kwa kutumia vigezo vya upimaji vilivyoainishwa hapa chini. Ufadhili utatolewa kwa kampuni zilizosajiliwa kama taasisi rasmi (incorporated) pekee.

Iwapo biashara iliyosajiliwa kwa jina la biashara itachaguliwa, itatakiwa kujisajili kama kampuni kamili kabla ya kupokea ufadhili. Waombaji wanapaswa kuonyesha kuwa wana ujuzi unaofaa, uwezo wa uongozi, na rasilimali watu zinazohitajika ili kukuza na kupanua biashara yao kwa ufanisi.

Timu inapaswa pia kuonyesha uelewa mzuri wa soko inalolenga, ikiwezekana ikiwa na wanachama walio na uzoefu wa moja kwa moja na changamoto inayotatuliwa, au wanaoelewa kwa undani mahitaji na changamoto za wateja wao. Maswali yafuatayo kutoka kwenye fomu ya maombi yanalenga kupima kipengele hiki: ● Kwa ujumla, utaielezaje timu yako kwa kuzingatia ujuzi na uzoefu wa kila mmoja na wa pamoja katika aina ya biashara unayoifanya?

● Muundo wa usimamizi wa biashara yako ukoje? ● Je, una bodi ya wakurugenzi na/au bodi ya ushauri? Majibu yaliyo wazi, ya kina na yenye ushahidi yatawasaidia wakaguzi kutathmini kama timu yako iko katika nafasi nzuri ya kutekeleza suluhisho lenu na kulikuza kwa mafanikio.

IV. Mchango wa Maendeleo - Alama 15 Biashara zinazostahiki lazima zionyeshe mchango kwenye maendeleo, thabiti na unayopimika kwa jamii na mazingira. Biashara haipaswi kusababisha madhara yoyote, na inapaswa kuwa na mtindo wa uendeshaji unaotoa mchango wa maana kwa maendeleo ya kijamii na kiuchumi.

Hii inajumuisha kuchangia utekelezaji wa Malengo ya Maendeleo Endelevu (SDGs) kupitia vitendo kama kuongeza kipato cha jamii, kuhifadhi rasilimali za asili, kuboresha upatikanaji wa huduma muhimu, na kuunda fursa za ajira zenye staha.

Maswali yafuatayo kutoka kwenye fomu ya maombi yanalenga kupima athari za biashara yako katika maendeleo: ● Eleza kwa kifupi athari chanya ya biashara yako katika maendeleo: (Toa maelezo kuhusu jinsi biashara yako inavyosaidia kufikia SDGs kwa kuongeza kipato, kuhifadhi rasilimali, kuboresha upatikanaji wa huduma, na kutoa ajira) ● Ni ajira ngapi za moja kwa moja na zisizo za moja kwa moja biashara yako inatarajiwa kuunda au kudumisha katika kipindi cha miaka miwili ijayo?

● Unatarajia kufuatiliaje viashiria vingine vya athari za maendeleo ambavyo biashara yako inachangia? Waombaji wanahimizwa kuwa makini, kutoa maelezo mahususi yanayotegemea takwimu, na kuonyesha wazi mpango wao wa kupima na kuripoti athari hizo.

● 19 Juni 2025: Uzinduzi rasmi wa Wito wa Maombi ya Ufadhili ● 24 Juni – 15 Julai 2025: Vipindi vya taarifa (info session), uhasishaji , na maswali na majibu (Q&A) ● 19 Julai 2025 ( saa 5:59 usiku kwa saa za Afrika Mashariki ): Mwisho wa kuwasilisha maombi ● 19 Julai – 29 Agosti 2025: Mapitio ya maombi , uhakiki wa kina (due diligence), na mchakato wa kupitisha maamuzi . 6.

Mchakato wa Kutuma Maombi Mchakato wa Kutuma Maombi Waombaji wanapaswa kuwasilisha fomu kamili ya maombi mtandaoni kupitia: Ni maombi yatakayowasilishwa mtandaoni kupitia kiungo hicho pekee, pamoja na nyaraka zote muhimu, ndiyo yatakayotazamwa.

Waombaji wanatakiwa kuambatisha baadhi ya nyaraka za msingi, zikiwemo: ● Muhtasari wa biashara (pitch deck) – ikiwa unapatikana ● Cheti cha usajili wa kampuni ● Ushahidi wa umiliki wa hisa, mfano: Memorandum and Articles of Association (MEMARTS), iwapo inahitajika ● Makadirio ya kifedha ya miaka 2 ijayo ● Wasifu wa watendaji wakuu wa kampuni Inashauriwa kuandaa nyaraka hizi mapema kabla ya kuanza mchakato wa maombi.

Waombaji wataweza kuanza kujaza fomu yao mtandaoni, kuihifadhi na kuendelea baadaye. Kwa ajili ya kushiriki kwenye vipindi vya taarifa kuhusu mwito huu, tafadhali jisajili kupitia kiungo hiki: 🔗 https://shorturl. at/2HlkT Kwa msaada au maswali yoyote, wasiliana kupitia barua pepe: Adding {{itemName}} to cart Added {{itemName}} to cart