Business Finance Resources

Worth applying. Almost $2.1B in funding for climate and ESG technologies! Nine funding routes worth knowing if you're building in clean tech, sustainability or ESG right now. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programme - up to around $1.6 million across Phase I and II, recently reauthorised through 2031 after a five month lapse. https://lnkd.in/en3AziQe National Science Foundation (NSF) America's Seed Fund - up to $305,000 for Phase I, a strong low-friction entry point via their Project Pitch process. https://seedfund.nsf.gov Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) - non-dilutive funding for high risk, high reward energy technology, often several million dollars per award. https://lnkd.in/eBdJRt_K Third Derivative - RMI and New Energy Nexus's global climate tech accelerator, connecting hard tech startups to investors and corporate partners rather than writing a fixed cheque. https://lnkd.in/eHr55UtC European Union Innovation Fund - one of the world's largest clean tech programmes, with individual grants ranging from tens of millions to over a billion euros. https://lnkd.in/ew3KXYGn EIC - European Innovation Council Accelerator - pairs a grant of up to 2.5 million euros with optional equity investment of up to 10 million euros for deep tech SMEs. https://lnkd.in/ej-qXnHK Breakthrough Energy Fellows - catalytic, non-dilutive funding from $50,000 to $500,000 for early stage climate innovators. https://lnkd.in/e__iKQ49 Elemental Impact - a non-profit climate investor backing companies from pre-seed to Series C, including a Data Center Innovation Initiative funded by Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft. https://lnkd.in/ekPnxNRK New South Wales Clean Technology Innovation Grant - up to 5 million Australian dollars for Australian businesses piloting lab-proven clean technologies, applications close 8 September 2026. https://lnkd.in/ejSr4WzD A few things worth knowing before applying: some of these are non-dilutive grants as well as equity investments, deadlines and open/closed status shift constantly, and a handful (like the EU Innovation Fund) operate on a completely different scale to early stage programmes, so it's worth matching the opportunity to your stage rather than chasing the biggest number on the page.

Bridge loans have a bad reputation. People see high costs, balloon payments, characterizations of loan sharks. They think bridge loans are risky, only for desperate buyers or can only be used for distressed properties. I get it. Used improperly, they CAN be dangerous, e.g. if there is too much leverage, the cost is too high relative to the deal, there is no strong exit strategy, a tight timeline with no backup plan—these scenarios can cause serious issues. But not a lot of people know how to use bridge loans as a tool. A simple example: I'm working with a buyer right now who needs to close by year-end for tax purposes.  His property is not distressed at all—actually, it's solid. The tax savings from buying this year and using bonus depreciation to offset active income is way more significant than the bridge loan cost. Here's the math: 2024 legislation extended 100% bonus depreciation. On multifamily, you can take accelerated depreciation on roughly 30% of the property value in year one (depends on market, build, etc) Take $100K of bonus depreciation. That offsets $100K of active income. At a 40% tax bracket, that's $40K in savings. At 70% LTV, a borrower using bonus depreciation is essentially buying the property for free, tax-wise. Bank financing takes (at least) 45-60 days, but year-end is 30 days away. We can provide a bridge loan for him in two weeks, in some cases as little as a few days. The borrower captures the tax benefit, refinances to permanent debt once stabilized and comes out way ahead even after bridge costs. So the question isn't whether to avoid bridge loans. It's whether you have a situation where bridge loans are the right tool. And this is just one of many situations where it makes sense.

Today’s episode of Founders Connect is one of those conversations that stays with you. I sat with Tayo Oviosu, founder and CEO of Paga Group Ltd, to talk about what it really takes to build a company for sixteen years. Not the highlight reel. Not the fundraising announcements. But the long stretch of uncertainty, conviction, and everyday decisions that quietly add up over time. What struck me most was not the scale Paga has reached, or that they are entering what Tayo calls “Act Two”. It was how much of the journey involved doing work that did not look like obvious progress. For more than a decade, the original consumer vision failed to work fully. The rules were not ready. Payment regulation was still taking shape. Identity systems were unreliable. Mobile access was uneven. Instead of waiting, the team built what the environment allowed. Agent networks. Regulatory relationships. Internal infrastructure. Trust. That work kept the company alive long enough for the ecosystem to mature. When the conditions finally caught up, Paga was already there. There is a lesson here that is uncomfortable but important. Sometimes the idea is right, but the timing is not. And the work then is not to force growth, but to survive without losing your long-term direction. Another part of Tayo’s story that stayed with me is how he thinks about funding. Paga has raised capital, but always with the aim of building a business that can control its own future. Profitability was not an afterthought; it was a survival skill, especially in a market where capital is never guaranteed. Growth capital is for acceleration, not life support. This conversation is about 16 years of persistence, thoughtful pivots, and long-term thinking. It’s about solving real problems for Africa in a way that lasts. If you care about the future of African finance, the power of resilience, or hearing stories of founders building for impact, you’ll want to watch this. Watch the full conversation here on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eFfgtmbR

What if green finance could scale decarbonization for SMEs? 🚀🌱 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) contribute about 40% of business sector emissions. However, many face significant barriers in accessing the necessary tools or funds to transition to Net Zero. Today, we are proud to have partnered with HSBC in the UK to help accelerate their transition ! Taking a step back, here is an overview of various ways in which finance can help scale the energy transition 🌱🚀: 💰 Green Loans and Equity Financial institutions are now offering tailored green loans & equity investments to invest in projects like renewable energy installations and energy efficiency upgrades at favorable terms. In 2022, green loans in Europe alone totaled over $150 billion, showing a substantial increase in availability. Green equity is rapidly growing, with venture capital for green projects reaching $10 billion in 2023. 🤝 Public-Private Partnerships Public financial institutions can offer credit guarantees and direct financing, which reduce the risk for private investors. For example, the European Investment Bank (EIB) provided over €5 billion in guarantees for green projects in 2022, mobilizing an additional €20 billion in private investment. 🌍 ESG Integration In 2023, about 60% of global asset managers incorporated ESG criteria into their investment processes. This includes exclusionary screening, where investments in industries harmful to the environment are avoided. 🔧 Innovative Financial Instruments Transition Bonds help high-emission industries ("brown" sectors) transition to greener operations, unlike green bonds, which fund entirely green projects. They support incremental improvements towards sustainability in sectors such as mining, heavy industry, and utilities. In 2022, their issuance reached $20 billion. It works for SMEs too Blended Finance: This involves using public funds to attract private investment in sustainable projects. By pooling resources, private investors reduce risks, unlocking significant capital for green initiatives. In 2022, blended finance transactions mobilized over $30 billion for sustainable development projects globally. 📚 Non-Financial Support SMEs often lack the expertise and resources to navigate sustainable finance. Public and private institutions can provide essential non-financial support, including training, information on sustainable technologies, and tools for measuring and reporting environmental performance. For instance, the SME Climate Hub offers resources and training programs that have reached over 10,000 SMEs worldwide. This is also where Greenly | Certified B Corp comes in, now offering HSBC's customers in the UK a rapid way to track their emissions. Thank you for your trust Emily Bailey Pedro Anaya Natalie Blyth ! Of course, green finance still needs to grow 100X fold, so join the movement now... https://lnkd.in/eW53NhYs

Leadership Lessons from Africa: Building Business Resilience in Uncertain Times   As global markets navigate these periods of uncertainty, I find myself reflecting on my years leading businesses across Africa— where managing volatility isn't just a skill; it's about survival.   In 2024 in Nigeria, markets have seen the 5th benchmark interest rate hike to curb inflation; there have been 11 power grid collapses; the currency has lost 70% of its value against the dollar since May 2023. Within this environment, businesses adapt and innovate. Some even thrive.   Here are five lessons I learned:   1. Political Uncertainty: Success means playing the long game. In one role, I operated through three different administrations. Maintaining relationships across the political spectrum while upholding strong governance is crucial. Our government affairs strategy had to go beyond election cycles.   2. Policy Shifts: We developed operating models that could pivot quickly.  Import Tariffs would change without warning. We always had backup plans ready—whether carrying extra inventory or activating alternative business lines.   3. FX availability and price: Survival meant securing the cash first, then solving for profitability. We had multiple supply chains with different risk profiles and developed flexible pricing strategies that could adapt. Not without significant pain.   4. Infrastructure Gaps: At one company, poor power supply birthed a solar business. In another, we built roads to our factories (one across a swamp!). A gas availability problem created a thriving alternative fuels business: waste, rice husks, palm kernel shells to energy. This fed the factories and created employment for local communities. Infrastructure challenges forced innovation.   5. Market Constraints: As purchasing power drops, companies have responded with "sachet economics"—offering smaller pack sizes… (an environmental headache)….. to maintain affordability   We learned that resilience isn't about avoiding challenges; it's about building systems that can absorb shocks and adapt quickly.    Luckily, most global CEOs will not face these multiple onslaughts, but will be building resiliency strategies to navigate today's uncertainties.   What strategies have helped build resilience in your companies?   #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #GlobalBusiness #Resilience #Innovation #EmergingMarkets  

Nuclear funding startups got enriched in Q2'25. 2025 funding to nuclear startups has already passed 2024 levels and is on track to more than double YoY. The surge in nuclear technology investments is creating what many see as a nuclear renaissance. What's fueling the nuclear boom? 1) AI and Data Center Energy Crisis The primary catalyst is the explosive growth in AI-driven energy demand. US data center power consumption is projected to triple from 25GW in 2024 to over 80GW by 2030, creating a $500B power infrastructure gap. Between 2023 and 2028, data centers could drive nearly half of US electricity growth. Tech companies are responding with unprecedented nuclear investments and investment activity has exploded across nuclear sectors: →SMR funding: 2025 equity funding is on pace to match 2022's record year, driven primarily by tech companies seeking reliable AI power →Fusion investment: The sector has attracted over $6.4B in equity funding since 2020, with tech companies leading recent rounds →Defense applications: Nuclear-adjacent defense tech reached a record $11.1B in funding within the first two quarters of 2025 Nuclear offers unique advantages that renewable sources can't match: →24/7 reliability: Unlike intermittent solar and wind, nuclear provides consistent baseload power essential for AI operations →Carbon-free energy: Meets corporate sustainability goals while delivering massive scale →Energy independence: Reduces reliance on volatile energy markets and geopolitically sensitive supply chains 2) Supply Chain Urgency Supply chain bottlenecks are forcing companies to secure nuclear capacity early. NuScale Power and TerraPower have delayed first plant deployments to 2030 due to high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel shortages, pushing companies to secure supply agreements proactively. 3) Proven Commercial Viability Nuclear technologies are demonstrating commercial success through medical applications, building investor confidence. SHINE Technologies successfully produces medical isotopes using fusion technology, while TerraPower Isotopes contracts with pharmaceutical companies for cancer treatment materials. 4) Government Policy Support Robust government backing includes Centrus Energy's $3B Department of Energy contract for domestic HALEU production, and the DOE's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Projects providing $2B to TerraPower and $1.2B to X-energy. This convergence of AI-driven demand, tech company capital, supply chain pressures, and policy support is creating the most favorable environment for nuclear investment in decades. *Data from CB Insights’ State of Venture Q2’25 report. Explore the latest data on what happened last quarter across the startup ecosystem at the link in the comments.

Yesterday's #Budget2024 contained little that wasn't already reported in the papers beforehand. There were a number of energy announcements however. Here's what caught my eye 👇 1️⃣ More than £1billion for the renewable electricity auction (AR6). This is the largest renewables budget yet and includes £800 million for offshore wind, £120 million for established technologies such as onshore wind and solar and £105 million for emerging technologies in such as floating offshore wind and geothermal. 2️⃣ The 35% surcharge on oil and gas profits (aka the "windfall tax") has been extended by 12 months. It had been due to end in March 2028. 3️⃣ Confirmation of an extra £120million for the Green Industries Growth Accelerator. Total funding is now over £1biilion, aimed at boosting advanced manufacturing across clean energy supply chains - including £390 million for electricity networks and offshore wind sectors, and around £390 million for carbon capture, utilisation and storage and hydrogen. 4️⃣ Confirmation that Great British Nuclear (GBN) will buy two sites - Wylfa and Oldbury - for new nuclear projects. GBN is also now launching the next phase of their Small Modular Reactor technology selection process with eligible companies able to access tender documentation. 5️⃣ An update on progress on network reforms to speed up grid connections. Earlier grid connection dates will be offered to projects worth £40 billion, and a new process will prevent projects being offered a specific connection date until they demonstrate progress towards joining the grid from next January.  A new taskforce will explore Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms in a bid to help un-block disputes between landowners and electricity network operators.  The headlines will all be about the windfall tax but the confirmation of budget for the AR6 renewable auction could turn out to be the most impactful announcement yesterday. #energy #energytransition #decarbonisation

FILM & TV GRANT & FUNDING WEBSITES: Grants don’t care who you know. They care how clearly you explain why your story matters now. Small grants stack. Momentum changes conversations. One funded project opens doors that emails never will. Apply. Build proof. Let the work speak for itself. Below, I've compiled a small list of websites that offer grants and/or funding for your project(s). This list is in no particular order... Film Independent: Grants, labs, fiscal sponsorship, awards. https://lnkd.in/g_2YAkfK Sundance Institute: Catalyst financing, Labs, Sandbox Fund. https://lnkd.in/g9bqxUen SFFILM: Artist Development, production & post funding. https://lnkd.in/gV4_AypZ Filmmakers Without Borders: Rolling grants for narrative, doc, experimental. https://lnkd.in/gcuypgBP Roy W. Dean Film Grants (From the Heart Productions): Cash plus in-kind services. https://lnkd.in/gbtdg9yu Creative Capital: Project-based funding for bold, artist-driven work. https://lnkd.in/gpZ2QZni Chicken & Egg Pictures: Women & nonbinary documentary filmmakers. https://lnkd.in/gsaP-Gi6 ARRAY (Ava DuVernay): Support for underrepresented filmmakers. https://arraynow.com/ Stowe Story Labs: Narrative short & feature grants plus labs. https://lnkd.in/gY6DPjeS International Documentary Association (IDA): Weekly updated grants directory. https://lnkd.in/gi24s9Tg FilmProposals – Film Grants List: One of the most comprehensive grant link hubs. https://lnkd.in/g7qW6aFu No Film School – Grants, Labs & Fellowships List: Updated seasonal opportunities. https://lnkd.in/ghPmmyUb) ITVS: Get funding and production support for documentary, series, and serialized nonfiction content: https://lnkd.in/gnUw8ksy NEH Media Projects Grants: Federal humanities grants for documentary film, film series, and media projects. https://lnkd.in/g93BBxRf Bell Fund: Canadian fund supporting digital media and TV extensions of content. https://bellfund.ca/ Palm Beach Film Commission Grants: Local funding programs for filmmakers. https://lnkd.in/gbchtFQk Film & Media Funding Guides (Columbia University LibGuide): Lists of film, TV, doc, and fiscal sponsor resources. https://lnkd.in/gXGmEp6q I hope this list helps you. Have a great day!

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝘅 This wasn’t a small business doing less than ₦25 million.   There was no exemption status. No magic trick. They made over ₦𝟯 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 and generated ₦𝟯𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝘁𝗮𝘅 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁   And paid ₦𝟬 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝘅. No loopholes.   No favours from “someone who knows someone.” 𝗛𝗼𝘄? They used 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝘅 (𝗪𝗛𝗧) 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀. Now, I know what you’re thinking: 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘞𝘏𝘛 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨.” “𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺!” Yes, it stings. You invoice ₦10 million. You receive ₦9.5 million.   It feels like a loss. But 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.   It’s a 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.   And if you manage it well—it can wipe out your entire CIT bill. Here’s what our client did differently: ✅ They tracked every WHT deduction across all clients   ✅ They followed up to ensure 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦   ✅ Their internal finance system was aligned to 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀 And by year-end they used the WHT credits to 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆. This strategy works especially well for businesses with high revenue and thin margins Of course, the system isn’t perfect. And here’s where most companies get stuck: ❌ Vendors deduct—but never remit   ❌ Finance teams don’t track credits properly   ❌ Businesses didn't register properly ❌ There’s no proactive tax strategy—just last-minute panic. But the solution isn’t out of reach: 🔹 Set up a WHT tracking system   🔹 Follow up. Push for vendor compliance   🔹 Register and file in the right jurisdictions   🔹 Build a finance culture that understands—and uses—the tax tools available So the next time WHT gets deducted from your invoice?   Don’t get angry.   𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱.   And make it work for you. #myCFOng 𝗣.𝗦. Ever used WHT credits to wipe your CIT bill 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺?   🔁 Found this useful? Repost it and help someone stop leaving money on the table.

After reviewing more pitch decks these past few days, I see African fintech founders are still flogging the dead horse that is "banking the unbanked" as a lazy fundraising pitch. From Yaounde to Cape Town, it’s the same story, another mobile wallet, payments app, another promise to bring financial inclusion to the masses. Truth is: most Africans are not unbanked because they lack access; they’re unbanked because they lack income. A new app won’t change that. The Brutal Truth Lack of Disposable Income – People don’t need more fintech solutions; they need more money. Without increased economic productivity, most “financial inclusion” solutions remain useless. Broken Unit Economics – Many fintechs rely on unsustainable VC fueled growth, acquiring “users” who don’t generate revenue. Regulatory Capture & Infrastructure Gaps – Governments protect banks and telcos dominate mobile money. The real bottlenecks are systemic, not just about "access." Startups often underestimate how slow, expensive, and political it is to scale across markets. Real Problems & Better Solutions Income-Generating Fintech – Instead of just moving money, fintech should help people make money. Platforms enabling gig work, SME financing, and export-focused businesses can drive real financial inclusion. A fintech that helps informal traders access larger markets, rather than just helping them "save." Decentralized Credit & Alternative Lending – Traditional credit models don’t work in Africa. Instead: Use supply chain data, mobile behavior, and transaction flows to build more dynamic credit models. Integrate fintech into cooperative lending structures like tontines or village savings groups, where trust already exists. B2B Payments & Trade Infrastructure – Cross-border trade needs work, killing SME growth. Fix it: Build better escrow and invoice financing tools that help African businesses transact across borders securely. Verticalized Fintech in High-Impact Sectors – Fintech should power real economic activity, not just payments. Agritech fintech: Give farmers access to dynamic pricing, supply chain finance, and better insurance. Healthcare fintech: Enable embedded payments and credit for medical services, helping people afford care without predatory loans. Logistics fintech: Provide financing for truckers, warehousing solutions, and real-time supply chain support. Infrastructure-First Fintech – If power, internet, & ID verification are problems, solve those first. Payments without stable connectivity? Build USSD-based financial services. Weak credit infrastructure? Build platforms that help lenders pool risk and share credit data across borders. The era of cheap fundraising gimmicks is over. African fintech must shift from vanity metrics to real impact, solving income generation, trade inefficiencies, and credit access at scale. I'm tired of saying this, founders who build with these in mind won’t need to beg for funding; investors will come looking for them.