Supporting early-stage social entrepreneurs

Supporting early-stage social entrepreneurs

via high-quality advisory services, completely free-of-charge.

via high-quality advisory services, completely free-of-charge.

Spotlight: Pearl Entrepreneurs Academy

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How it works

Our Incubation Programme supports social enterprises through a series of structured engagements tailored specifically to your needs and delivered free-of-charge. The entire programme lasts between 6 to 8 months, and each engagement is conducted virtually by our chapter teams and professional mentors who have extensive industry experience. Clients begin with a Consulting Engagement to tackle a specific business problem, and then proceed to a Financial Advisory Engagement to prepare for or support ongoing fundraising efforts. You may also request for extra support on technical or legal issues depending on your assigned BfE chapter.

Our Incubation Programme supports social enterprises through a series of structured engagements tailored specifically to your needs and delivered free-of-charge. The entire programme lasts between 6 to 8 months, and each engagement is conducted virtually by our chapter teams and professional mentors who have extensive industry experience. Clients begin with a Consulting Engagement to tackle a specific business problem, and then proceed to a Financial Advisory Engagement to prepare for or support ongoing fundraising efforts. You may also request for extra support on technical or legal issues depending on your assigned BfE chapter.

Consulting

Financial Advisory

Legal Advisory

Technical Advisory

A quick checklist before you apply:

You are an early-stage social enterprise.

You are an early-stage social enterprise.

You are a social enterprise with an existing product or service that has started earning revenue.

You are a social enterprise with an existing product or service that has started earning revenue.

Your business is legally operating in Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Middle East.

Your business is legally operating in Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Middle East.

You demonstrate a clear path to profitability and social impact.

You demonstrate a clear path to profitability and social impact.

Who we are looking for

This is what makes you a strong fit for our programme.

This is what makes you a strong fit for our programme.

Innovative Solutions

You have a unique, in-demand MVP addressing key development challenges. 

Social Impact

You create measurable social impact in alignment with one or more of the UN SDGs.

Proven Results

You have a strategic revenue-generating model with 6+ months of operations.

Driven Leadership

You have a committed leadership team working full-time.

PROGRAMME TIMELINE / COHORT

Each advisory engagement lasts 3–4 months, with the full programme completed in 6–8 months.

Applications are open year-round.

Applications are open year-round.

Apply by these deadlines to be considered for specific cohorts.

Apply by these deadlines to be considered for specific cohorts.

Spring

Cohort

Application deadline

Nov 1

Engagement starts

Jan - Feb

Engagement ends

Apr - May

Autumn

Cohort

Application deadline

May 1

Engagement starts

Aug - Oct

Engagement ends

Nov - Dec

OUR PORTFOLIO

We serve clients that operate in traditionally underserved markets.

We have worked across multiple regions, 10 industries and over 45 countries. View our portfolio below to learn about our past clients.

All

Sub-Saharan Africa

South East Asia

South Asia

Latin America

Middle East & North Africa

Adia (Africa Digital International Academy)

Uganda

Education

Ady’s Agro Processing Limited

Nigeria

Food & Agriculture

Airee

Mongolia

Manufacturing

Ajua Agrotech

Kenya

Food & Agriculture

Alternative Waste Technologies

Kenya

Energy & Environment

Angaza Elimu

Kenya

Education

ARED

Tanzania

IT Services & Digital Access

Arusha Women Entrepreneurs

Tanzania

Food & Agriculture

BAG Innovation

Rwanda

Education

Bambuhay

Philippines

Energy & Environment

Bantubumi

Indonesia

Energy & Environment

Beat Drone

Nigeria

Professional Services

FAQs

Do you take any equity or stake in exchange for the support?

Will there be any in-person engagements?

Does BfE provide funding?

How does BfE define social entrepreneurship?

What countries does BfE source its clients from?

What is the application process like and how soon should I expect a response?

Can I reapply during a later application cycle if I am not accepted into the Incubation Programme initially?

Will I work with the same chapter throughout the Programme period?

What happens after the Incubation Programme?

Join the next cohort of social enterprises.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis

CHARITY INFO

Bridges for Enterprise © 2026 is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England and Wales. (Charity Number: 5182148)

ADDRESS

160 Kemp House, City Road, London EC1V 2NX United Kingdom

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Join the next cohort of social enterprises.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis

ADDRESS

160 Kemp House, City Road, London EC1V 2NX United Kingdom

Subscribe to our newsletter.

By clicking submit you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Join the next cohort of social enterprises.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis

CHARITY INFO

Bridges for Enterprise © 2026 is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England and Wales. (Charity Number: 5182148)

ADDRESS

160 Kemp House, City Road, London EC1V 2NX United Kingdom

Subscribe to our newsletter.

By clicking submit you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy.