Investments in BiD Network’s entrepreneurs: 2,5 million USD mobilized since December 2007
The Investor Matchmaking service of BiD Network brings together entrepreneurs from the emerging markets and investors from all around the world. Have a look at the most recent matchings, and how they are panning out.
From the start of BiD Challenge in 2005, up till 2007, 1.5 million USD have been mobilized for BiD Network's entrepreneurs. Since the start of a professionalized matchmaking department, in December 2007, another 2 million USD have been mobilized.
Clean and affordable energy to households
E+Co is one of the investors that make use of the matchmaking services. E+Co is a clean energy investment firm with the mission to empower local small and medium sized enterprises that supply clean, modern and affordable energy to households, businesses and communities in developing countries. Three entrepreneurs from the BiD Challenge 2007 have investments from E+Co, totalling over 360,000 USD. Furthermore, E+Co is in contact with four other entrepreneurs from BiD Network and assessing investment.
Branding, website, packaging and POS material for Dried fruit production in Cameroon
A Netherlands based notable marketing agency was looking for an ‘innovative market opportunity’ and thought of the idea to improve branding and packaging of products from developing countries. The agency contacted BiD Network. In the beginning of 2008 the agency was linked up with Laure Yossa from Aga Foods, who processes fresh organic fruits in Cameroon into dried fruits for the export market. Laure Yossa clearly indicated the need for such a service. They discussed the possibilities, found out the added value for each other and slowly but surely came to a letter of intent. This letter describes how the agency wants to develop the brand, the website, the packaging of the dried fruits and so called ‘point of sales’ materials. The total value of the service will be about 16,500 USD and will be paid back by a percentage of the sales of Aga Foods for a period of two years at most. The agency went to Cameroon in mid-June to finalise the agreement.
Increasing milk production in Tanzania
Victor Mfinanga in Tanzania runs the Shambani milk factory and aims to expand his company for which he needed additional 110,000 USD. A Dutch informal investor showed interest and asked a friend travelling to Tanzania to visit the company. This friend confirmed the trustworthiness of Victor and also visited another co-investor. Moreover, he accompanied Victor at a meeting with Oikocredit Bank to apply for a loan. Back in the Netherlands the informal investor was informed the bank committed a loan of 70,000 USD and that both investors could sign the shareholder agreement for two times 20,000 USD whenever Victor would meet a few conditions. Victor is currently settling these conditions, which include a new rental agreement on the premises for the next five years, company registration certificate, and the latest financial statements.
More examples: www.bidnetwork.org/article-84324-en.html