Monrovia- Jan. 14, 2021: Mercy Corps with support from the French Development Agency has announced that it is patterning with a Local Business Development Firm to implement a Business Growth Accelerator Program for Liberian Owned SMEs.

The accelerator program, according to Mercy Corps will last for nine months and businesses will be supported with both business advice and grant financing to accomplish specific goals.

To be eligible to apply, your business must have been in existence for at least two years and you must have a clearly defined business idea and plan. You must have a minimum viable product (MVP) and proof of sale, along with a specified customer profile and acquisition plan, and an established and competent team.

Mercy Corps will use a rigorous vetting process to shortlist potential businesses. Once your application is shortlisted, your business will go through another round of internal capacity assessment to find the weaknesses and growth potential and you will receive intensive training and coaching to strengthen your initial business concept and value preposition.

After the initial assessment, applicants will compete in a pitching competition in front of a live audience. There will be three rounds of pitching and 6 grants will be awarded in round 1, 5 in round 2 and 4 in round 3 – a total of 15 awards.

Once the grant is awarded, the business will enter the accelerator program and be paired with an industry expert/leader as a mentor.

Every business that applies will go through a rigorous and competitive process and 15 Business will receive expansion grants of up to 15K… Mercy Corps is especially interested in supporting businesses that can create new jobs for Liberian youth.

So if you think you meet the criteria listed above, visit the emansion website and download a copy of the application guideline. There will also be proposal development support days to help applicants understand the application requirements. If you need more information, please visit Mercy Corps’ Office in Congo Town Opposite the SOS Clinic.