How we can support companies

We work directly with companies in our five pilot countries to provide the advisory support, facilitation and technical assistance they require to help their inclusive business grow. Unlike many other business-focused donor programmes, we do not provide financial support, whether as loans or grants. We offer two types of support to companies:

1. Advisory support and facilitation

Our support comes as advice and technical assistance at any stage of the business venture. We draw on a global network of technical experts who can deliver innovative solutions and practical strategies that get inclusive business models off the ground.

2. Knowledge exchange

We also support knowledge exchange on inclusive business at the international level through our publications and the Practitioner Hub.  Explore the Hub to access the range of resources, discussion networks, tools and links that we are developing for inclusive business practitioners.

What we can't offer

• We can't directly provide finance (grants or loans), although as part of our advisory support we can help find potential sources of finance.
• We can't offer general support to companies without a specific inclusive business idea or project.
• We can't provide advisory support or technical assistance that have no development impacts in one of our five pilot countries.

Types of ventures we support  

1. Short projects

In some cases we help companies on one aspect of their inclusive business venture through light touch support and inputs at no cost to the company. In these short projects we work with companies to help them understand constraints and opportunities in certain markets, develop plans and strategies or find useful partners and sources of further support. Getting approval for this type of support requires a formal process but does not require the approval of an external selection committee. Examples of support we've provided to companies in short projects inlude:

• Adapting an inclusive strategy or plan
• Mapping target markets and industries
• Designing key performance indicators
• Delivering feasibility studies, assessments and surveys
• Reviewing business plans
• Developing a sales and marketing strategy
• Facilitating workshops
• Developing tailored tools and guidelines

2. Long projects

We also provide more intensive support to companies in our longer projects.  In these cases, technical assistance is financed by both by the Facility and the company and sourced from our Alliance Partnership and global network of experts. Applications for this more intensive support are developed with the Facility Country Manager of each pilot country and then evaluated by and independent Selection Committee. Examples of the kind of in depth support we've provided to companies in long projects include:

• Refining an inclusive business opportunity, diagnosing constraints and options
• Developing a whole inclusive business srategy
• Identifying, brokering and supporting partnerships
• Mapping value chains and options for value chain enhancement
• Assessing routes to market for low income consumers
• Identifying sources of finance and financial structuring
• Convening partners, investors, and other stakeholders
• Setting KPIs and performance management systems
• Assessing commercial and development impacts
• Providing sector specific or processing expertise
• Developing internal business cases for an inclusive venture.