2025 was a crazy year for the development finance landscape. The closure of USAID, combined with mass budget reductions across the #aid and humanitarian space, sent shockwaves through the sector. It might sound counterintuitive — but I’m confident that 2026 will be a strong year for #African #SMEs. 🚫 Not the "donor darlings". ✅ I’m talking about the SMEs that are seriously building and scaling viable business ventures. In my most recent video, I break down the shifts we are seeing in development finance and what they mean for SMEs navigating this evolving landscape in Africa. At the core of this shift is a stronger trade and investment emphasis, which means: 1. African SMEs must focus on building robust trading models with clear sustainability mechanisms — where any concessional funding is multiplied through revenue-generating assets. 2. Move away from being recipients of aid to becoming partners and contextual leaders. 3. Being intentional about targeting funders who share a mutual vision and are willing to walk with you through different stages of growth — in ways that grow both financial and impact returns. Africa is already on the radar for many global investors and funders. 2026 will likely bring significant funding and investment opportunities for serious businesses — whilst the recent shifts, also acting as a filter, separating those building real value from those that simply absorb funding for the sake of it. This is not saying that the closure of USAID or the broader aid and humanitarian reductions are “good”. But it does have a positive path forward — driven by a shift in some funder mindsets — one that African SMEs should recognise, adapt to, and actively leverage. I explain this in detail in my latest video. 👉🏽 Link in the comments.
ARK Group International
International Trade and Development
Strengthening business impact through fundraising.
About us
Our products support businesses in the 'missing middle' to access grant funding, which they utilise to de-risk and leverage private investment. This is blended finance. Whether you are a profit making business, social enterprise or government department; grant funding can help you grow. We support access to grant funding for businesses across Africa as well as social enterprises across the UK. There are literally 1,000's of funding opportunities. SMEs should not have to struggle to access finance, we will continue to develop products that help you win grant funding, become investment ready, and leverage private investment to grow your business and achieve impact along the SDGs. To get started, check out our Grants Database, which is a free product, giving you visibility to grant funding opportunities in your sector and geography. All you need to do is click the green button at the top of ARK's website, register and browse opportunities for your business.
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www.arkgroupint.com
External link for ARK Group International
- Industry
- International Trade and Development
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- London
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 2021
- Specialties
- Fundraising, Advisory, Development, and Social impact
Locations
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London, CR02BX, GB
Employees at ARK Group International
Updates
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ARK Group International reposted this
Pleased to share that we are almost at the finish line in reaching our target responses for the #Diaspora #Investment Pulse Survey with AFFORD UK. 🎯 A huge thank you to everyone who has supported and completed the survey so far. We’ve had a fantastic response, particularly from the West African diaspora. 🌍 We’re now especially keen to hear more from our #East #African diaspora community. The survey is still open – and so is the free flight prize draw for participants. ✈️ If you haven’t taken part yet (especially if you’re from the East African diaspora), please do take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your input really matters. Together, we are building bridges for the diaspora to productively invest on the continent. #Africa 🔗👇🏾 https://lnkd.in/e5TKAtY9
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🤝 Introducing Our New Collaboration: ARK x Koyo HealthTech Koyo HealthTech is reimagining healthcare 🌍 connecting people with licensed doctors in just minutes. No queues, no waiting rooms, just easy, reliable access to care wherever you are📲 Our partnership supports an innovation that truly makes a difference, breaking barriers and helping underserved communities get the care they deserve 💊 We’re proud to walk alongside Koyo as they scale their mission and bring healthcare closer to everyone. #DigitalHealth #HealthTech #Telemedicine #ImpactSMEs #AccessToCare #TechForGood #HealthInnovation #ARKGroupInternational #HealthcareForAll
Consulting with a doctor has never been this easy ✨With Koyo, you can chat with a doctor in minutes, anytime and anywhere. No queues, no stress, just direct access to doctors through the app ready to support you whenever you and your family need them 🧡 To book a consultation, download the Koyo app ✨ 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ec7mPDVw . . #doctors #health #familyhealth #nigeriandoctors #nigeria #nigerianmoms #fypage
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ARK Group International reposted this
📢 Opportunities Round-Up for inclusive enterprises Here’s our round-up of fresh funding calls, fellowships, and capacity-building programs to fuel your impact journey. 🚀 Funding & Grants AI for Financial Resilience (Global, Deadline: Dec 1, 2025) Up to USD $50,000 in equity-free funding for early stage ventures from Mercy Corps Ventures. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3LDq4l0 The 2026 Ashden Award for Solving Energy Challenges (Global South, Deadline: Dec 8) The Ashen Award invites applications from renewable energy initiatives addressing critical barriers. The winner will receive up to GBP £40,000 in grant funding, connections to their network of funders and policymakers, and media exposure. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d2-pDEuZ Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) GROW programme (South Africa, Deadline: 21 December 2025) Funding between R200,000 – R1,000,000 to support innovative products, processes, business models, or marketing strategies and drive positive change through alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dSnRaSAC The Liveability Challenge 2026 (Asia, Deadline: Feb 9, 2026) USD $2 million in grant funding and USD $2 million in development funding from Asia’s largest sustainability solutions platform for breakthrough solutions in two tracks: Decarbonisation and Cool Earth innovations. Presented by Temasek Foundation. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/fBFi4sn Financial and technical support for SMEs (Global, Deadline: Apr 1, 2026) USD $300,000 - $2 million available for projects enhancing smallholder livelihoods and inclusive local development. Via Common Fund for Commodities 🔗 https://bit.ly/43pAHOC 🌱 Accelerators & Programs Sanad ElevateHer Program (MENA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Deadline: Nov 26, 2025) Seedstars and SANAD Fund for MSME’s accelerator program helps female founders with impact-driven solutions unlock financial access, strengthen investment readiness, and scale their businesses. Via Sarah Khalifa and Ecosystem Pulse 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e56QQCzk Startupbootcamp Food & Agritech Accelerator (Global, Deadline: Dec 7, 2025) An in-person accelerator program (offering €25,000 in cash investment for program expenses) to early-stage startups. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/efCDCQCb Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Africa 2025 (Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania, Rolling): Village Capital seeks mentors to provide market-oriented advisory to their cohort of early-stage companies working in climate adaptation, renewable energy, blue economy, and food security solutions. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4qYX9YG 📬 Have an opportunity for SMEs you’d like us to feature? Write in and let us know! 📌 Note: Deadlines and application details may change. Always verify directly with program organisers before applying. Katie Alesbury Renée Hunter [she/her] Aparajita Agrawal #GenderInclusion #SMEs #InclusiveBusiness #Impact #InclusiveActionHub #opportunities #grants #accelerator
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🌊 Proud to Announce Our Partnership with Flipflopi 🌍 A remarkable African-led movement in coastal Kenya, proving what’s possible when innovation, community, and environmental stewardship come together. From building the world’s first recycled-plastic dhow to developing a thriving circular community model, Flipflopi continues to set a global example for ocean conservation and community-led climate action. Their work speaks directly to the vision of the OCEAN Programme: connecting local innovation to global ambition and showing that when people and planet thrive together, hope truly floats. We’re incredibly proud of their recent achievements and the spotlight they’re receiving. #CircularEconomy #OceanConservation #ClimateAction #AfricaInnovation #Sustainability #Lamu #EnvironmentalLeadership #ARKGroupInternational
"Flipflopi’s journey from a single recycled-plastic dhow to a thriving circular community model captures the heart of the Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature (OCEAN) Programme: connecting local action to global ambition and proving that when people and the planet thrive together, hope floats." Read the full article by Dr Asma Awadh, part of the Ocean Expert Committee who recently visited us in Lamu ahead of the WIOMSA - Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association Symposium. Asante for your insights and support team Ocean! Sophie Benbow, Yolanda Sánchez , Dr Asma Awadh🙏 Article: https://lnkd.in/d_hzG_r4 #marineconservation #peopleandplanet #circulareconomy
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🌍 New Global Grant Opportunities for Climate, Health & Social Impact Innovators As the year winds down, several major calls are open for NGOs, social enterprises, and innovators driving solutions across Africa and beyond — especially in climate resilience, public health, and poverty reduction. 💧 UNICEF – WASH, Climate Action & Environment Programme (Uganda) Up to US$1,000,000 for NGOs focused on children’s environments, climate-resilient WASH, and sustainable sanitation. https://lnkd.in/dEQF-xxP 🗓️ Deadline for concept notes: 20 November 2025 🌡️ CHINNOVA – Climate Change & Health Innovation Hub (West & Central Africa) Grants between US$70,000–700,000 to support research, innovation, and data systems strengthening at the climate-health nexus. Eligible for NGOs, CSOs, academic institutions, and private sector innovators across 18 African countries. https://lnkd.in/dbjvkAt2 🗓️ Deadline: 15 November 2025 🚀 D-Prize Global Competition Up to US$20,000 for early-stage social entrepreneurs launching proven, high-impact models tackling poverty, education, health, or livelihoods. Perfect for ventures under 18 months old or with less than $30,000 in prior funding. https://lnkd.in/dbjvkAt2 🗓️ Deadline: 14 December 2025
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🚀 UK Grant Highlights — November 2025 Here are three exciting open calls for UK-based organizations: 🇬🇧 1️⃣ #iwill Fund 2025 – Strand 2 (National Lottery Community Fund) Grants between £30,000–£5 million to empower youth (up to 25 years) in community social-action and leadership. https://lnkd.in/dsi-mJ6Z 🗓️ Deadline: 19 Nov 2025 💡 2️⃣ Agentic AI Pioneers Prize (Innovate UK/Catapult Network) A £1 million prize pool for UK organisations developing Agentic AI solutions with real-world impact. https://lnkd.in/e2CJa7U2 🗓️ EOI Deadline: 19 Nov 2025 🏗️ 3️⃣ Common Ground Award (UK Government) Up to £10,000 for VCSEs fostering social cohesion through new or renovated community spaces. https://lnkd.in/emiw3P6T 🗓️ Deadline: 21 Nov 2025
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ARK Group International reposted this
The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation supports early-stage social impact organizations that are tackling some of the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. They provide up to USD $300,000 in unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period, typically disbursed in multiple tranches. Organizations should demonstrate: 🔹 Problem-first focus: Tackling urgent social or environmental issues that directly benefit underserved populations. 🔹 Systems-thinking: Working within existing systems and leveraging key stakeholders, infrastructure, and incentives to drive impact. 🔹 Scalability: Potential to impact at least 10,000 lives within five years, with capacity for exponential growth. 🔹 Geographical alignment: Operating primarily in Africa, Europe, India, or the United States, with limited consideration for Latin America. 🔹 Independence: Structured as an independent nonprofit or mission-driven for-profit entity. 🔹 Financial sustainability: Demonstrating or developing a clear path toward earned income or revenue generation. 🔹 Evidence-based impact: Using data and measurable outcomes to prove the effectiveness of solutions. 📅 Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 🔗 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eEKNPyU
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ARK Group International reposted this
Sofronie Foundation The Sofronie Foundation is a UK‑based grant‑maker founded in 2007 that supports charities and not‑for‑profit organisations helping disadvantaged children and young people improve their life chances. The Foundation funds initiatives that raise aspiration, develop skills and provide trajectories into higher education or vocational training for young people who are socially or economically marginalised. It places emphasis on interventions in STEM, vocational readiness and real pathways into employment or further study. Eligible applicants include registered charities and other not‑for‑profit organisations in the UK. While no explicit exclusion of CICs is mentioned, organisations must demonstrate a charitable purpose and proper governance. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with no fixed closing date. Decisions may take up to three months from submission. Applicants should review the guidance notes and submit an online application form with project details, outcomes and budget. They should clearly articulate how the project benefits young people and aligns with the Foundation’s objectives Any specific tips to apply Demonstrate how your initiative targets young people lacking opportunity and shows a clear link to educational or vocational outcomes. Provide measurable indicators of success: skills gained, progression into education/training or employment. Keep your grant request realistic and clearly tied to delivery of the activity and not only to core or unrestricted running costs. Ensure robust governance and financial control are evident: many successful applications highlight organisational capability and sustainability. https://lnkd.in/eZzNG--e #YouthSkills #EducationOpportunities #UKCharityFunding #Grants
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ARK Group International reposted this
The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation supports early-stage social impact organizations that are tackling some of the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. They provide up to USD $300,000 in unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period, typically disbursed in multiple tranches. Organizations should demonstrate: 🔹 Problem-first focus: Tackling urgent social or environmental issues that directly benefit underserved populations. 🔹 Systems-thinking: Working within existing systems and leveraging key stakeholders, infrastructure, and incentives to drive impact. 🔹 Scalability: Potential to impact at least 10,000 lives within five years, with capacity for exponential growth. 🔹 Geographical alignment: Operating primarily in Africa, Europe, India, or the United States, with limited consideration for Latin America. 🔹 Independence: Structured as an independent nonprofit or mission-driven for-profit entity. 🔹 Financial sustainability: Demonstrating or developing a clear path toward earned income or revenue generation. 🔹 Evidence-based impact: Using data and measurable outcomes to prove the effectiveness of solutions. 📅 Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 🔗 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eEKNPyU
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