Legally operating
Start-ups must be registered and compliant with local laws.
Programme · Uganda & Sierra Leone
RAIN Africa
Equity investment, structured mentorship and active governance for early-stage ventures – from first application to institutional readiness.
Investment criteria
What we look for
We invest in registered, revenue-generating businesses with a clear path to profitability, a strong team and a distinct social or environmental impact.
Initial revenue
We invest in ventures that have started generating revenue, demonstrating market validation and early traction.
Growth potential
We seek start-ups with the potential to scale their operations and enter new markets.
Financial health
A clear path to profitability and strong financial management practices are essential.
Team strength
A capable, committed founding team – we invest in people as much as in business models.
Social impact
Start-ups or social businesses passionate about their impact, with innovative solutions for the problems of underserved communities – scalable and self-sustaining.
The journey
From application to partnership
Four phases, one goal: to grow your company to a stage where it becomes attractive to institutional investors – and to stand by your side on the way there.
01
Application
Think you meet our investment criteria? We’d love to hear from you.
Application (pitch deck etc.)
Submit your pitch deck and application to the office in your country.
Pitch event
If selected, you pitch your business to our Investment Jury. We focus on your business model, your personality, your impact and the logic behind your financials.
On-ground meeting (in person, 2–4 weeks later)
We meet you at your centre of operations – production site or office – and speak with your team and your customers to understand how you run your business and how it serves your community.
Consolidation of financials and data room
Over a few weeks we work closely with you to consolidate your financials and build a solid data room. Together we review your business model and explore potential future developments.
Decision on investment readiness
02
Investment
From handshake to shareholding – with a local law firm at our side.
Term sheet
Our handshake agreement for the equity investment: investment amount, share allocation and intended use of funds. We also define key milestones and terms for potential follow-on investments, our investor contribution and the governance structure.
Due diligence
Led by a local law firm, which reviews your constitutional documents, financial statements, company filings and tax compliance – plus all relevant licences, permits and potential legal liabilities.
Equity investment
We formalise our partnership by signing the Shareholder and Share Transfer Agreements, transferring the shares and disbursing the funds.
From this moment on, we are true partners in your business.
03
Onboarding
Our Value Creation Programme: a structured onboarding phase over the first few months that makes sure you are well equipped.
Financial management, KPIs and impact
We jointly strengthen your financial management, create key performance indicators, establish impact measurement and build robust ESG frameworks.
Systems, quality and strategy
We optimise your IT systems, enhance quality and compliance management and refine your overall business strategy.
Mentorship
We match our portfolio companies with mentors from our international business network, providing strategic guidance and industry insight.
Operational support
We partner with you to develop your organisational structures. For immediate needs, our local team delivers hands-on operational support day to day.
Positioned for sustainable growth and long-term success.
04
Governance
Regular boards and robust reporting keep strategy and numbers in the same room.
Board meetings
Our regular board meetings serve as a forum to comprehensively analyse your company’s current standing and deliberate its strategic trajectory.
Reporting
Based on your routine accounting, we support you in implementing robust KPI measurement and comprehensive financial reports to drive strategic decision-making.
Institutional readiness: attractive to DFIs, MDBs and larger impact funds.
Apply
Ready to apply?
Send your pitch deck and a short application to the office in your country. We review every application and get back to you – if we see a fit, the next step is your pitch to our Investment Jury.
Please make sure your business is legally registered, generating revenue and built around a distinct social or environmental impact.
UgandaKampala office · Third cohort
uganda@redsalt.org Sierra LeoneFreetown office · Second cohort
sierra_leone@redsalt.org General enquiriesCologne office
team@redsalt.org