Business opportunity opportunities

Opportunity details

Who can apply

DRK accepts applications year-round from organizations operating in its priority geographies, which explicitly include Africa, so Uganda-based organizations are eligible. Applicants should be independent early-stage nonprofit or impact-first mission-driven for-profit entities, generally post-pilot and pre-scale, with a product, service or programme already in the field, measurable evidence of impact on underserved populations, a model capable of significant scale and a growable earned-income stream or credible near-term plan for one. DRK generally prefers young organizations and excludes idea-stage organizations, research-only initiatives, religious-doctrine programmes, non-scalable place-based models and several ineligible legal structures listed in its FAQ.

About this opportunity

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation supports early-stage organizations using scalable, impact-first models to improve the lives of underserved communities. Its three-year support model combines capital, hands-on board service, operational assistance and access to a global portfolio community.

Benefits
DRK provides up to US$300,000 in unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over three years, usually in multiple tranches. Portfolio organizations can receive up to US$500,000 worth of in-kind capacity support, including a senior DRK team member serving in a hands-on board role for three years, plus fundraising, leadership, talent, financial-sustainability and scaling support. Grantees and investees also join DRK\'s digital and in-person community, including the annual portfolio retreat.

Requirements
Submit the online form and upload a written executive summary, pitch deck or business plan addressing the organization\'s mission, problem and solution, underserved population, comparative advantage, evidence of impact, measurement approach, scale strategy and earned-income model. A standard resume or CV for the entrepreneur or key leadership team is required; text-only biographies are not accepted. Financial statements, impact reports and other supporting materials are optional at the initial application stage but may be requested during diligence.

How to apply
Complete the DRK online application form, upload the required executive summary, pitch deck or business plan and leadership CV, and submit electronically; DRK does not accept emailed applications. Selected applicants progress through early interviews, formal diligence, team review and closing. Applications are accepted throughout the year with no fixed deadline.