Understanding start-up funding in East Africa: ‘Follow the Money’ and Analysing the ‘Valley of Death’ in the African context
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-15)

Closed: The FCDO invited proposals by 3 October 2025 to conduct an in-depth analysis of start-up funding in East Africa, including Kenya and Tanzania.

This opportunity closed on 3 October 2025.

The UK Kenya Tech Hub, through the East Africa Research and Innovation Hub and Evidence Fund, is commissioning this research to provide an in-depth analysis of start-up funding in East Africa.

The study aims to map the start-up funding landscape across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, to inform policy and programming decisions by the FCDO, the UK Kenya Tech Hub, the East Africa Research and Innovation Hub, and other stakeholders.

It will focus on understanding funding sources, recipient profiles, investment criteria, and barriers to scaling from minimum viable product (MVP) to seed and series A funding.

What the fund will achieve

The study will address critical evidence gaps hindering effective programme design, policy development, and targeted investment strategies. It will foster equitable support for start-ups across sectors including climate, fintech, bioscience and agri-tech.

Through case studies of successful and unsuccessful start-ups, the study will identify the main factors influencing growth and sustainability and present pragmatic recommendations and collaboration opportunities for stakeholders. The findings will guide investment strategies, enhance coordination among funders, and strengthen the enabling environment for scaling start-ups in East Africa.

Requirements for organisations wishing to apply

This opportunity is open to organisations in all ODA-eligible countries (https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/oda-eligibility-and-conditions/dac-list-of-oda-recipients.html).

The core team delivering this work should have the necessary technical and contextual experience in the collation, interpretation, synthesis, and communication of research findings and recommendations. The team should also demonstrate previous experience in undertaking similar research collecting, analysing and presenting quantitative and qualitative data with examples.

In addition, the supplier should have good knowledge of the start-up ecosystem and stakeholders. The supplier should provide clear examples of adequate expertise and contextual understanding and experience in conducting assignments of a similar nature in the four target countries.

Collaboration between start-up ecosystem practitioners and established academic experts and thought leaders in the field of innovation systems strengthening is encouraged.

How to apply

Bidders should email their technical and commercial proposal to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) by 5pm East African Time on 3 October 2025. Bids received after this time will not be considered.

Letter of invitation to tender (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68babb02cc8356c3c882ab3e/EvF-Letter-of-Invitation-Understanding-Start-Up-Funding-in-East-Africa.odt)

Guide to the technical and commercial evaluation (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68bac3cf11b4ded2da19fead/Evidence-Fund-Evaluation-and-Scoring-Criteria-Understanding-Start-Up-Funding-in-East-Africa.odt)

Volume 1: Invitation to tender instructions (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68bac5a0cc8356c3c882ab44/Volume-1-ITT-Instructions-and-Evaluation-Criteria-Understanding-Startup-Funding.odt)

Volume 2: Terms of reference (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68bac5b0cc8356c3c882ab45/Volume-2-EvF-ToR-Understanding-Start-up-Funding-in-East-Africa.odt)

Volume 3: Application form (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68bac5bdcc8356c3c882ab46/Volume-3-Application-Form.odt)

Volume 4: Commercial pro formas (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68bac5cc3f3e5483efdbaa56/Volume-4-Commercial-Pro-Formas.ods)

Volume 5: Pro forma contract (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68bac5dc3f3e5483efdbaa57/Volume-5-Pro-Forma-Contract.odt)

Volume 6: Evidence Fund conflict of interest and safeguarding policy (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68bac5eb536d629f9c82ab4d/Volume-6-Conflict-of-Interest-_-Safeguarding-Policy.odt)

Volume 7: Letter and declaration to accompany tenders (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68bac5fccc8356c3c882ab47/Volume-7-Letter-and-Declaration-to-Accompany-Tenders.odt)

Contacts

Evidence Fund Procurement Manager: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).