Alliance Launches Spark Fund Round III
The Alliance has launched the 3rd round of the Spark Fund to support the capacity development and growth initiatives of clean cooking enterprises globally. Alliance partners with scalable business models that have passed the start-up/proof-of-concept stage will be able to submit their business and growth plans for funding consideration via an online application system powered by bidx. In order to reach more Alliance partners and to generate a pipeline of investment-ready enterprises, the Spark Fund is split into two windows, allowing enterprises in both the venture and growth stages to apply for funding.
DEADLINE: January 30, 2015 at 6 pm EST
The Spark Fund venture window will fund enterprises that have passed the proof of concept phase and are ready to ramp up sales, or enterprises that have been in operation for some time but have yet to reach commercial viability. The Spark Fund growth window will fund enterprises that already have robust sales and are on track to break even. Alliance support for each window will target growth and capacity needs at the organization’s specific stage of development. In addition to the individual growth goals of the enterprises, enterprises are also expected to leverage the growth and capacity building funds from their Spark grants with additional capital as they scale up. Last year, the Alliance selected six enterprises to receive Spark grants. You can find more information about past Spark Fund grantees In the Related Information links (upper left).
Applications for the 3rd round of the Spark Fund are due on January 30, 2015 at 6 pm EST. Applicants are asked to adhere to requirements for testing per the Alliance’s Grant Applicants Test Results Reporting Guidelines and Requirements published in March 2014.
In order to help Alliance partners prepare their applications, we will be holding a two webinars:
- Overview of the Spark Fund – December 18th, 2014 at 8:30 am EST. This webinar will review the Spark Fund, the initiatives that we support, and application requirements.
- Building a quality financial model for your Spark application – January 7, 2015 at 8:30 am EST
Both webinars will have time for questions and they will be recorded and uploaded to the Alliance’s website for those participants who are unable to attend. In addition, the Alliance will be recording 15 minute webinar segments on the following topics. The webinars are expected to be available online by January 5, 2015.
The topics include:
- Introduction to the Bidx platform
- Using the Spark III application workbook
- How to fill out the technology and impact questionnaires
Questions about the Spark Fund can be directed to investment@cleancookstoves.org. In an effort to keep the Spark Fund application process open and transparent and avoid duplicate questions, the Alliance will post questions and answers on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
DEADLINE: January 30, 2015 at 6 pm EST