USAID SMEA Challenge Fund 2020 Applications are Open

Author:

Athar Ahmad

Publish Date:

November 3, 2018

Visit www.startupservices.pk for services tailored to YOUR startup’s needs.

Get YOUR company registered with SECP

Latest Updated on 14th July 2020

USAID Small and Medium Enterprise Activity (SMEA) is inviting applications for a special round of COVID-19 SME Growth Grants. If you are small or medium-sized enterprise, facing challenges due to COVID-19, do apply! The last date for submission of applications is August 25, 2020.

Grants are available in the following sector:

1. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
2. Hospitality
3. Logistics (minus passenger transport)
4. Textile (excluding spinning)
5. Agri-Business and processing (Off-farm activities only)
6. Light Engineering
7. Women-owned enterprises (any sector)

Email to challengefund@pakistansmea.com with the Subject Line: “Challenge Fund RFA-006” to receive forms & write “Request for Application Form” in the email body.

Essential services tailored for YOUR Startup Journey

Do you want to scale-up your Startup?

Does your Startup provide a sustainable and scalable solution to overcome and solve the challenges?

If the answer is Yes, then USAID SMEA Challenge Fund is for you!

USAID SMEA Challenge Fund is here to help in scaling up by providing the investment as much as up to 7.5 Million PKR.

The USAID Small and Medium Enterprise Activity (SMEA) is seeking grant applications for implementation of the Challenge Fund. The grants will be awarded and implemented in accordance with USAID and US Government regulations governing grants under contracts and SMEA’s internal grant management policies.

Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know.

Previous Update on 27th January 2020

Challenge Fund RFA-005: SMEA is awarding Innovation Grants (Solve the Challenge) to registered Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs) to
enhance their competitiveness and result in increased jobs, sales, exports, adoption of technology and new practices,
access to finance, access to market and improved performance of women-led enterprises. The proposed solution
for the challenge(s) must be related to the following target sectors.
1. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
2. Hospitality
3. Logistics (minus passenger transport)
4. Textile (excluding spinning)
5. Agri-Business and processing (Off-farm activities only)
6. Light Engineering
7. Women-owned enterprises (any sector)

For more details: Email to challengefund@pakistansmea.com with the Subject Line: “Challenge Fund RFA-005”

Application Deadline: 8th March 2020

SECP amends Companies Act 2017 to facilitate startups in Pakistan

Previous Update on 13th October 2019

As part of its ongoing interventions, USAID SMEA is collaborating with Jumpstart Pakistan for the upcoming LIFT Pakistan Conference from November 1-8, 2019. The project is looking to support the participation of Women-Led Businesses (WLBs) on a cost-share basis, and we encourage you to apply.

Download the USAID SMEA EOI Application Form for this purpose, and share the following documentation with USAID SMEA along with it:

Copy of CNIC of the female owner/manager;
Valid business NTN;
Profit and loss statement (signed and stamped on company letterhead); and
Any other documents that can be shared to verify business activities.

For more details contact:

Taabeer Ather | Specialist – Competitiveness Enhancement (CE) USAID | Small Medium Enterprise Activity (SMEA)

Update on 27th September 2019

USAID SMEA Challenge Fund is accepting applications for its 3rd Round of SME Growth Grants.

Grants are available in the following sectors:

Women-led business(any sector)
ICT
Hospitality
Logistics
Textile(excluding spinning)
Agri-Business and Processing (off-farm only)
Light Engineering

To receive a “Request for Application Form” please send an email to challengefund@pakistansmea.com with the subject line as: “Challenge Fund RFA-004”