Deadline: February 16, 2021.

Following the successful completion of the Startup-SME Linkage Pilot Program in 2020, which resulted in 6 deals, and 4 pending deals out of a cohort of 36 participants, Metta alongside the UK-Kenya Tech Hub are excited to extend the program to benefit more startups and SMEs.

In this 2021 program referred to as the Startup-SME Linkage Program 2.0 (SSL 2.0) we will provide tech startups and SMEs with direct linkages to one another, and a collaboration playbook aimed at helping them increase their partnership and commercial deal rates.

Metta in partnership with the UK-Kenya Tech Hub presents the Startup-SME linkage program 2.0 aimed at providing tech startups direct linkages to SMEs which fall under their target customers for a chance to secure a commercial deal.

The program will require selected startups to present/demo their solutions to SMEs in a digital live marketplace for a partnership or commercialization deal.

ELIGIBILITY

STARTUPS

They are looking for post-revenue startups with practical solutions that can help SMEs solve their existing problems. Female-led startups are highly encouraged to apply.

Startups Criteria:

1. Should be open to collaboration.
2. Should be a registered entity.
3. Must be a tech-driven startup.
4. Should have active users on their platform: demonstrate use cases.
5. Offer valid solutions in the thematic areas identified.

SMEs

They are looking for SMEs that are open for a commercial and/or partnership deal with innovative post-revenue tech startups operating in verticals such as HR, customer experience, digital marketing, agriculture, health, logistics, clean energy, e-commerce among others.

Sample challenges could include: disrupted sales, logistics inefficiencies, poor website engagement and e-commerce conversion rate…etc

SME Criteria:

1. Proof of product adoption in the market.
2. Should be a registered entity.
3. Willingness to adopt and leverage tech solutions.
4. Willingness to open its network to startups.

BENEFITS

1. 4 free masterclasses modeled on the Deal Making Design Framework.
2. Access to practical templates for deal-making.
3. Participation in the Deal Rooms with potential clients and service providers.
4. Business feature on the Metta and UK-Kenya Tech networks.

OFFICIAL LINK: https://metta.co/startup-sme-linkage-program-2-0/