In celebration of World Entrepreneurs’ Day, 2021, and to support emerging small and growing businesses in Nigeria, FATE Foundation with the support of Facebook has announced the official launch of “The Small Business Grants Award” to 100 Nigerian business owners and entrepreneurs of small and medium-sized businesses.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for The Small Business Grants Award, participants must:

• Have enrolled and graduated from the Facebook Supported Aspiring Entrepreneurs Programme (AEP Digital) from any of the classes from 2018-2021
• Have completed the program and the program requirements

Grants Disbursement

The grants will be given in three levels:

• Ten (10) entrepreneurs will be given One Million Naira (NGN1,000,000) each
• Ten (10) entrepreneurs will be given Five Hundred Thousand Naira (NGN500,000) each
• Eighty (80) entrepreneurs will be given Two Hundred Thousand Naira (NGN200,000) each

Award Criteria

All applications will be reviewed on the basis of the following:

• Viability: Evidence of continued viability of the business post-AEP Digital graduation.
• Traction: Evidence of business growth and traction since program completion.
• Digital Marketing: Traceable evidence of entrepreneurs using lessons learned to use Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to grow their business.
• Jobs: Evidence of full and part-time jobs created and enabled since program completion.
• Innovation: Proof of using innovative business models leveraged by technology.

Key Timelines

• August 21, 2021: Announcement of the Facebook small grant process during the 2021 World Entrepreneurs’ Day
• August 30, 2021: Closing of the application process and commencement of review and shortlisting.
• September 10-24, 2021: Video pitching and shortlisting for the top grant recipients.
• September 29, 2021: Announcement of the 100 recipients of the small business grant at the 6th FATE Alumni Conference.
• October 1 – November 15, 2021: Disbursement to give us leeway (Disbursement will only be made to business accounts).