Business Idea Pitching

The Business Idea Pitching Project bridges the gap in access to finance by providing small grants to MSMEs (working-age population) with simple, attainable requirements. The project requires business owners to identify business gaps and explain how the grant will benefit their business. The goal of the Pitching project is to support existing micro and small businesses that need small grants ranging from M3,000 to M10,000. These grants help them access inputs, machinery, and equipment to expand, diversify products, innovate, and create jobs. The project plans to fund 20 MSMEs on a semi-annual basis.

Who is eligible?

The project specifically targets Basotho aged 21 to 59 with the following:

• A viable and tested business idea/ venture that indicates growth potential.

• A business operating for at least 1 year

• Businesses that have not been funded under BEDCO’s funding opportunity

• Business Ideas will be limited to the four (4) National Strategic Development Plan priority sectors

• Basotho Businesses only

• All qualifying Basotho business owners in all ten districts of the country are eligible to participate in the Idea Pitching Project.

Selection and adjudication process

• Mobilization of MSMEs

• Online Application process

• Selection of 30 applicants for Business Idea Pitch Deck Training

• Pitching session

• Due diligence exercise

• Selection of 20 winners

Interested candidates will register at the provided link and upload their personal and business information, together with their identity documents.  

Submission and deadlines

Critical factors that must be sufficiently covered to have a viable Business Idea must include the following:

Personal and Business Information

• Name of Business owner

• Name of Business and year of establishment

• Business Location (village/town, District)

• Business Products/services

• Unique Value Proposition – Does the product offer a unique benefit or solution

Market Demand

• Who are your buyers? How much, on average, does each segment buy per month?

• Is there a genuine need for the product or service? Elaborate.

• Who is your competition, and how does your business differentiate itself from the existing competition?

Operational factors

• How many employees does your business have, including yourself?

  
  

• How will the additional funds improve production capacity?

Financial Factors

• How does the business generate revenue?

• How does the cost structure look? Is your business profitable

• How much does the business need to expand? What will the funding be used for?

  
  

Future Projections

• After the injection, how will your business grow? (employment generation, production capacity, income generation)

The above information should be covered during the pitching sessions. Interested candidates should register on: https://forms.gle/uLcMVypoanU8WkwM6 and upload certified copies of their identity documents.

AWARDING

WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER:

Winners Categories

• Category A – 5 winners each awarded M3,500.00

• Category B – 5 winners each awarded M5,000.00

• Category C – 5 winners each awarded M7,500.00

• Category D- 5 winners each awarded M10,000.00

FINAL DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS THE 26th of JUNE 2026.

For further enquiries, visit Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation’s Facebook Page.  Enquiries can also be made via telephone at BEDCO on the following numbers: +266 57025934 Ms Lerato Tlebere, or contact Ms Nyabela on +266 58773007