Deadline: 7th of July 2023, end of the day

00

Days

00

Hours

00

Minutes

00

Seconds

Oxfam Superstar Impact Business Competition

Did you participate in Oxfam’s SME development program implemented by Ahead of the Curve in Egypt? Did you join any of the following programs:
- Circular Transformations for SMEs
- Sustainable Business Practice
- THRIVE 2.0
*Graduates of other ATC programs such as Impact Managment and Growth Mindset can apply only if their proposed projects lie within the focus of this year's round of the award (explained below).

Do you have an innovative business idea focused on making your supply chain more fair, sustainable, or circular?

If yes, Apply to this competition and your business might be the next Superstar Impact Business!

About the award

Oxfam is launching its fourth round of the Superstar Impact Business competition in 7 countries; Somaliland, Bolivia, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Cambodia, and Egypt.
Winners will be chosen by a jury and receive grant funding (between 6K EUR and 8.5K EUR) with possible technical support from Oxfam local partners to implement the proposed project.
The most impactful and inspiring winner might also be featured in a short movie to promote their business.

Curious to learn about great examples of an impact-driven business that is building a fair and sustainable supply chain? Meet Shahira Yehia, Co-Founder of Chitosan – Egypt.

A Pioneer biotech Egyptian company expert in manufacturing high-competence chitosan solutions - inspired by the versatile potential of chitosan & powered by results-driven R&D. It is currently focused on conquering & revolutionizing local agriculture with competitive high performing organic products. Powered by an in-house laboratory and an advisory team from Egypt’s leading EU & ISO-certified laboratories, Chitosan-Egypt has come to be known for designing & manufacturing premium chitosan-based biofertilizers and biopesticides. It delivers high-performance formulas utilizing 100% EU-approved ingredients for a complete organic experience with a 0% pesticide residue. Chitosan-Egypt portfolio of clients & collaborators boasts 100+ export/organic farms across 15 governorates & 20 crop categories. Furthermore, the company is providing income opportunities for rural marginalized women. Please visit Chitosan Egypt’s website here

To be sustainable, businesses seek to ensure that throughout the supply chain, all business practices adhere to consistent environmental, social and governance principles.

The supply chain includes the full lifecycle of a product or process, including material sourcing, production, processing, distribution, consumption, and disposal/recycling processes. Introducing the concepts of circularity and fair and sustainable business practices across the supply chain provides an enormous opportunity to accelerate impact throughout communities.

This can be challenging especially when your business is working:

To include suppliers or distributors from vulnerable groups and/or minorities that have been disadvantaged or are difficult to reach;
In supply chains where there is little collaboration or transparency;
In contexts that suffer from climate change, environmental degradation, increasing economic volatility, inflation and unsupportive regulatory frameworks;

Therefore, through the competition, Oxfam seeks to support businesses with innovative ideas to introduce:
Fair and sustainable business practices across their supply chain.

Circular integrations and transformations in their value chains.
And are collaborating with suppliers, financial service providers, off-takers and/or logistic providers to implement these practices.

Click here for examples: Fair and sustainable business practices

Step 1: Application

Candidates can apply by completing the application form here. The application is only complete, in combination with a venture profile on VC4A.
If you don’t have a venture profile yet, you will be asked to create this in the first step when clicking on the “Apply” button at the top of the page.

Please download the budget template here, as you will be asked to upload this in your application form.

The deadline for applications is Friday, 7th of July, 2023.

Step 2: Selection

A jury scores eligible applications and invites the best-selected applicants to pitch their business and project proposals. Winners will be announced latest on the Mid of July, after which grant contracts will be processed.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, your business needs to meet the following minimum requirements:

The project your business proposes focuses on implementing:
The applicant is a previous or current participant in Work in Progress! project in Egypt.
The business is a registered commercial company in Egypt that has been operating for at least one year.
The business meets the requirements of an ‘impact-driven business’ or has the potential to be one: namely:
The business is not in any way involved in activities such as arms, tobacco, alcohol, and gambling industries, registered in so-called tax-havens, or involved in environmental or human rights abuses or corruption.
Grant funding should be matched with at least 50% with the applicant’s own contribution (cash and/or in-kind).
Grant amount requested cannot exceed 20% of the applicant’s average annual revenues.
The proposed project can be implemented over four months and completed before October 2023.

Eligible and non-eligible activities for funding

Eligible

Business support services (e.g. consultants/experts on scaling, sales, operations, investments, social impact);
Investments (machines or equipment needed to scale up);
Business development costs (e.g. test or launch new products, market study);
Visibility costs (brand design, promotional materials, trade fairs);
Scaling of impact (process redesign, sustainable production, fair trade certification).

Non-eligible

Purchasing and rent/leasing of land or buildings/facilities;

Bank charges, cost of guarantees, and similar charges;

Overhead costs such as office supplies, support staff, and management;

Value and registration costs of intellectual property rights.

Assessment criteria

Social/environmental impact (25%):
The business has a clear vision and strategy for positive social and/or environmental impact. It is important that the project has a positive social and environmental impact on the supply /value chains and on the company’s stakeholders (suppliers, clients, employees, and communities). This impact is supported by numbers.

Feasibility and relevance of proposal (25%):
The proposed project is described clearly and is relevant in creating a fair and sustainable supply chain. It is clear how the business will collaborate with a supply chain partner to realize the project. It is viable and feasible to implement the project in a short time frame. The budget and own contribution are realistic.

Strength of management team/entrepreneur (25%):
The team has the qualifications and experience to manage and implement the project successfully. Motivation and ideas are clearly communicated. The team has unquestionable integrity. Having a significant number of women and youth in the team is a plus.

Growth potential and sustainability (25%):
The impact business addresses a clear market need with a unique product or service. There is a clear business model and a realistic growth strategy. The financial figures (historic and projections) show good performance and/or potential. The proposed project demonstrates innovation and it is clear how it creates new opportunities and/or addresses a risk or problem for the business. It is clear how the business will sustain the implementation of the project and integrate it in their core operations.

Oxfam Superstar Impact Business Competition

Deadline: 7th of July 2023, end of the day

00

Days

00

Hours

00

Minutes

00

Seconds

Oxfam Superstar Impact Business Competition

About the award

Curious to learn about great examples of an impact-driven business that is building a fair and sustainable supply chain? Meet Shahira Yehia, Co-Founder of Chitosan – Egypt.

This can be challenging especially when your business is working:

Click here for examples: Fair and sustainable business practices

Competition Process

Step 1: Application

Step 2: Selection

Step 3: Implementation

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible and non-eligible activities for funding

Eligible

Non-eligible

Assessment criteria

Apply to our competition and your business might be the next Superstar!

Contact Us