Economic
Development
Small Business Support
Empowering entrepreneurs with the capital, skills, and networks needed to build sustainable businesses and create economic opportunity in their communities.
Empowering entrepreneurs with the capital, skills, and networks needed to build sustainable businesses and create economic opportunity in their communities.
At UHAFD, we believe that small businesses are powerful engines of economic opportunity, job creation, and community development. Our approach goes beyond traditional financing to address the multifaceted challenges entrepreneurs face when building sustainable ventures.
Through our comprehensive small business support programs, we combine patient capital with targeted skills development, market access initiatives, and business advisory services. This holistic approach ensures entrepreneurs have both the financial resources and the knowledge needed to navigate growth challenges.
What sets our model apart is our unwavering focus on impact—we prioritize businesses that serve community needs, create quality jobs, and contribute to inclusive economic growth. From neighborhood retail shops to innovative technology startups, our support helps entrepreneurs build businesses that transform lives and communities.
Our comprehensive suite of programs addresses the diverse needs of small businesses at different stages of growth.
Our innovative micro-equity model provides small businesses with growth capital without the burden of debt. We take a minimal equity stake (typically 1.5%) with no interest payments or forced repayment schedules, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on sustainable growth.
Our intensive 12-week accelerator program combines mentorship, specialized training, and networking opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs with high-growth potential. Participants receive hands-on support to refine their business models, develop go-to-market strategies, and prepare for scaling.
This program helps small businesses adopt digital technologies that enhance their productivity, reach, and resilience. We provide both funding and technical assistance for digital transformation projects, from e-commerce platforms to inventory management systems.
We help small businesses access new markets and customers through trade facilitation, supply chain integration, and connections to larger commercial networks. This program is particularly focused on helping rural and underserved community businesses reach broader markets.
Our specialized program addressing the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in growing successful businesses.
Research consistently shows that women entrepreneurs face disproportionate challenges in accessing capital, networks, and growth opportunities. Our Women-Led Business Accelerator provides comprehensive support tailored to address these barriers through dedicated funding, specialized mentoring, and peer community building.
Dedicated funding pool
Women entrepreneurs supported
Countries with active programs
Growth rate for supported businesses
When Amina Ibrahim approached UHAFD in 2019, she was operating a small soap-making business from her home in Mombasa, Kenya, selling to neighbors and local markets. Though her products were excellent, she lacked the capital and business knowledge to scale production and reach broader markets.
Through our micro-equity program, UHAFD invested €75,000 in Amina's business with our standard 1.5% equity stake and no repayment requirements. This allowed her to purchase equipment, lease a small production facility, and hire five employees. Just as important as the funding was the business coaching and market connections provided through our support network.
Today, Bahari Beauty Products employs 37 people, primarily women from Amina's community, and exports organic skincare products to six countries across Africa and Europe. The company maintains strict fair trade and sustainability practices while generating over €800,000 in annual revenue.
"UHAFD didn't just give me money—they gave me confidence and connections. The mentorship and networks were as valuable as the funding. Now I'm not just supporting my family, I'm creating opportunities for dozens of other women in my community." — Amina Ibrahim, Founder & CEO
Since 2010, our small business initiatives have created substantial economic opportunity across the globe.
Small businesses supported
Total funding deployed
Five-year business survival rate
Jobs created or sustained
We work with leading organizations globally to maximize our impact in small business development.
Whether you're looking for growth capital, business development support, or market connections, our small business programs can help you overcome challenges and achieve sustainable success.
UHAFD offers multiple support paths for small businesses at different stages of development:
Accelerator program, initial micro-equity investments, business coaching
Larger equity investments, market expansion support, operational improvement
Scaling capital, technology adoption, international market access