Deadline: 04-Jun-2026
The Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) supports fund managers investing in early-stage startups led by young entrepreneurs in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The programme strengthens entrepreneurship ecosystems by enabling startup growth, investment readiness, and job creation through targeted financial support.
The current funding round has a total budget of €2.2 million, with Benin identified as the target location. One subsidy will be awarded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency to support startup investment activities in the region.
Overview of the Orange Corners Innovation Fund
The Orange Corners Innovation Fund is designed to:
- Support early-stage startups
- Strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystems
- Promote youth-led innovation
- Encourage private sector development
- Increase access to investment for startups
- Drive economic growth and job creation
The programme works by funding fund managers, who then invest in promising startups and support their scaling journey.
Funding Details
Key funding information:
- Total budget: €2.2 million
- Target location: Benin
- Funding model: One subsidy for a selected fund manager
- Administered by: Netherlands Enterprise Agency
The funds are used to:
- Invest in early-stage startups
- Support entrepreneurial development
- Strengthen local investment ecosystems
Target Regions
The programme focuses on:
- Africa
- Asia
- Middle East
For this funding round, the specific target location is:
- Benin
Focus Areas
The OCIF supports initiatives related to:
- Startup investment
- Entrepreneurship development
- Innovation and technology
- Youth employment
- Business scaling
- Investment readiness
- Private sector development
- Economic growth
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Fund managers
- Investment funds
- Organisations managing startup financing programmes
- Entities supporting early-stage entrepreneurial ecosystems
These fund managers must:
- Invest in startups led by young entrepreneurs
- Support business growth and scaling
- Provide investment readiness support
Programme Objectives
The Orange Corners Innovation Fund aims to:
- Enable access to early-stage investment
- Support young entrepreneurs
- Strengthen local startup ecosystems
- Increase job creation opportunities
- Encourage sustainable business development
- Attract commercial follow-up investments
Expected Impact
The programme is designed to deliver:
- Stronger entrepreneurship ecosystems
- Increased youth employment
- Growth of scalable startups
- Improved access to investment capital
- Long-term private sector development
- Economic resilience in target regions
Why This Programme Matters
Many early-stage startups struggle due to:
- Lack of funding access
- Limited investor networks
- Weak business support systems
- High market entry barriers
The OCIF addresses these challenges by:
- Supporting professional fund managers
- Improving investment readiness of startups
- Strengthening ecosystem-level development
- Encouraging sustainable private sector growth
It also contributes to:
- Reducing youth unemployment
- Promoting innovation-led development
- Expanding entrepreneurial opportunities in emerging markets
How It Works
Step 1: Application by Fund Managers
Fund managers submit proposals to:
- Manage startup investment funds
- Support early-stage entrepreneurs
- Operate in the target region
Step 2: Selection Process
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Investment strategy
- Ecosystem impact
- Experience in startup financing
- Sustainability and scalability approach
Step 3: Subsidy Allocation
One fund manager is selected to receive:
- €2.2 million subsidy allocation
Step 4: Investment Deployment
Selected fund managers:
- Invest in early-stage startups
- Support entrepreneurial development
- Provide business growth assistance
Step 5: Follow-On Investment Support
Startups are prepared for:
- Commercial investment
- Scaling opportunities
- Long-term business sustainability
Conclusion
The Orange Corners Innovation Fund is a targeted investment programme that strengthens early-stage startup ecosystems by empowering fund managers to support young entrepreneurs. With a focus on Benin in this funding round, the €2.2 million initiative promotes innovation, job creation, and private sector growth while improving access to investment and strengthening entrepreneurship ecosystems in emerging markets.
For more information, visit Netherlands Enterprise Agency.