Securing global funding

Why Global Funding Matters More Than Ever

When I started looking for funding for my fish farming business in Ibadan, Nigeria, I felt like I faced many challenges. With no strong connections or international recognition, I just had a drive and time on my hands to do a lot of research. That was how I discovered the funding opportunities for entrepreneurs at whatever level you are.

According to a BusinessDay report, Nigeria is a leader in startup funding in West Africa. Since 2019, it has received about $4.6 billion of the region’s total $5.8 billion in investments. In 2023 and 2024, Nigeria also made up 70% of West Africa’s funding, with fintech companies like Flutterwave, OPay, Interswitch, and Kuda leading the way.

This growth is not unique to Nigeria. Other countries like Senegal, Ghana, and Benin are also gaining attention, with companies like Wave Mobile Money and Spiro attracting investment from around the world. This shows that global investors now see entrepreneurship in the Global South as an area full of opportunities, not just a charity case.

However, many talented entrepreneurs in cities like Lagos, Nairobi, Lahore, Dhaka and even across Africa still struggle to find funding. Although money is available, many do not know where to look, how to apply, or what investors want.

That’s where this blog post comes in. This post will show you:

  • Where to find funding opportunities
  • How to prepare a compelling pitch
  • How to leverage digital tools for credibility
  • What mistakes should you avoid that can cost you funding

With global platforms, online pitch events, and new innovation hubs, access to international funding has become more realistic, even for startups.

1. Use Grant Platforms Tailored to Developing Regions

Many entrepreneurs don’t know that some of the world’s biggest grantmakers are actively searching for high-potential founders in developing regions, people like YOU. These platforms are not just looking for “unicorns”; they support people solving local problems with scalable ideas, offering access to a global community, mentorship, training, and visibility.

Top Grant Platforms to Check Out:

  • Seedstars
    Focused on high-impact startups in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. They offer acceleration, mentorship, and access to funding through their investment arm.
  • Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEEP)
    This program helps people in Africa who want to start a business. It provides qualified individuals with $5,000 to start a business, offers training, and connects them with other business owners.
  • GSMA Innovation Fund
    Supports digital solutions in mobile technology, agriculture, and climate adaptation. Often open to entrepreneurs in underserved regions.
  • Y Combinator
    A U.S.-based startup accelerator that funds global businesses. Many African and Asian startups, including Paystack and Flutterwave, have gone through YC.
  • VC4A (Venture Capital for Africa)
    A rich platform that connects African startups with investors, mentors, and competitions.

Know these: 

  1. Always read eligibility rules before applying. Some are only for social enterprises, women-led businesses, or youth founders
  2. Even if your application doesn’t get selected the first time, going through the process helps you build clarity around your mission, vision, and market strategy, all of which will help in future funding rounds.

Should I write a separate blog post about global funding opportunities and explain how to get them? If you think I should, please say “Yes” in the comments, and I will happily write it.

2. Build a Pitch Deck That Tells a Compelling Story (Not Just Numbers)

Too many startup founders make the mistake of thinking a pitch deck is just a glorified PowerPoint presentation. But in truth, a well-crafted pitch deck is your most powerful storytelling tool, especially when you’re pitching to global investors who may never have heard of your country, your city, or your customer base.

When global investors evaluate startups in emerging markets, they’re not just looking at numbers; they’re asking:

  • “Do I understand this founder’s mission?”
  • “Does this solution solve a real, visible problem?”
  • “Can this team execute, even with limited infrastructure?”

That’s why your pitch deck must speak beyond data. It should introduce a real problem in a relatable way, then present your solution as both practical and scalable. Don’t just say, “we’re building an app for farmers.” Say:

“In rural Nigeria, more than 20 million smallholder farmers lose 30-40% of their produce each year due to inadequate storage facilities and poor weather forecasting. Our app provides these farmers with real-time market prices and mobile-based weather alerts, helping to reduce post-harvest losses by up to 25%.”

Did you notice the difference? You’re not just speaking; you’re creating a clear image, and that appeals to funders. You don’t need to be a design expert to achieve this. Free tools like Canva, Pitch.com, and Beautiful.ai provide simple templates that make your presentation look professional.

See a simple 7-slide formula that works well:

  1. Problem: Define a real, urgent issue affecting your users.
  2. Solution: What you’re building and why it works.
  3. Market Opportunity: How many people need this, and how big is the market?
  4. Traction: What have you achieved so far? Even small wins matter.
  5. Business Model: How you’ll make money or sustain operations.
  6. Your Team: Show the faces and experiences behind your mission.
  7. The Ask: What funding do you need and how will you use it?

Also read: 

If you are really serious about getting global funding, then you should read this: 10 African Startups That Got Global Funding in 2024. It explains the who, how, and sectors that are strategically getting the most global funding.

3. Leverage Crowdfunding for Visibility and Cash

Crowdfunding isn’t just a way to raise money. It’s a strategy to test the market, build early supporters, and tell your story to people who believe in impact. For entrepreneurs in developing countries, especially those without traditional funding access, this can be a game-changer.

Platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe have become household names globally. Still, other alternatives like NaijaFund, StartSomeGood, and Ushahidi (for civic tech) are proving that crowdfunding isn’t just for Silicon Valley creators.

Founders in Africa, Asia, and Latin America have the chance to raise money while showing how they help their communities. For example, small business owners use social media platforms, especially Twitter, now called X, to share videos about their businesses and the challenges they face. This encourages people to come together and donate money to support them through GoFundMe. So, don’t be afraid to share your business story.

4. Partner with Global Accelerator Programs 

Many of the world’s most successful startups didn’t just “get lucky”; they got strategic about their growth by joining accelerator programs that provided not only funding but also mentorship, legal advice, and investor connections.

If you’re building a business in an emerging economy, these programs are gold mines of support. The best part? Many of them actively seek to support under-represented founders in underserved markets.

Accelerators like Y Combinator, Techstars, and Google for Startups Accelerator Africa has funded and nurtured Nigerian startups like Flutterwave, 54gene, Tizeti, and Paystack, helping them scale their solutions from local problems to global relevance.

These programs typically offer:

  • Seed funding (often between $20,000 and $150,000)
  • Equity-free support or early-stage investment
  • A defined 8–12 week program with masterclasses, mentorship, and product guidance
  • A Demo Day where you pitch to top-tier global investors

Andela, founded in Lagos to train software engineers, received support of $24 million from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, including $381M in funding from investors like Omidyar Network, Learn Capital, and Founder Collective. This helped it grow into a global remote talent platform worth over $1.5 billion.

Beyond the famous ones, there are regional and niche accelerators like:

Don’t underestimate smaller or lesser-known accelerators, they often have better odds of selection and more personalised support, especially if you’re early-stage and operating in sectors like health, agriculture, clean energy, or education.

What should you do?

Build your app ahead of time. Make sure your pitch deck, traction stats (even if they’re tiny), and founder story are all documented properly.

I WILL STOP HERE FOR NOW

Why?

I saved the best for the second part. The fnext blog posts will extensively discuss the best strategies and ways to get one step closer to getting global funding opportunities.

You should look forward to these blog posts and be the first to read them by subscribing to our E-mail lists. Who knows, I might decide to make it exclusively for our E-mail subscribers. You shouldn’t fear since you are already subscribed, or have you?