Strategic Partnerships
We build strategic partnerships with Corporates, NGOs, Investors and Development Partners to design and implement ideas and projects that help entrepreneurs grow Good Businesses in key sectors and across themes.
What our partnerships typically look like
Co-creating new programs
We collaborate with potential partners, including NGOs, Investors, Corporates and Development Partners, to conceptualise, design, fundraise and implement new innovative programs that help entrepreneurs build flourishing businesses. Our ideal partners are those that need the capacity of a partner to meet their strategic objectives through SMEs, or those that need expertise to deliver value to SMEs.
Co-implementing existing programs
With the right partners and opportunities, we collaborate to design and co-implement existing programs that help entrepreneurs build flourishing businesses. Our ideal partners are NGOs, Investors, Corporates, Development Partners and other Business Development Support service organisations that:
- Need the capacity of a partner to meet high-level project goals and objectives.
- Need expertise to deliver value to SMEs.
- Have designed projects to be delivered with partners.
- Are looking to implement an existing program in other locations in East Africa.
Supporting Investment Funds
We also partner with Investment Funds that are looking to embed pre-investment and post-investment Technical Assistance in their strategies to help entrepreneurs build flourishing businesses. Our ideal partners are those who are looking to build a pipeline for their funds through creative pre-investment Technical Assistance; those who are looking to de-risk their investments through pre-investment and post-investment Technical Assistance; and those who are looking to build the capacity of and/or solve specific challenges their portfolio businesses are facing.
Implementing own programs
We also partner with funders to implement new programs that we have conceptualised and designed to help entrepreneurs build flourishing businesses. Our ideal partners are large bilateral & multilateral donors, foundations and NGOs that are looking to achieve a strategic objective through the growth of businesses, including but not limited to job creation, stimulating economic growth, improving the livelihood of smallholder farmers, boosting trade and more.
Why Partner with SHONA
Good Business
We focus on building well-run businesses that are good for customers, employees, owners, suppliers & distributors, the environment and the local communities where they are based. Good Businesses create good jobs, and high-quality products & services that improve quality of life, generate wealth, build industries, protect and regenerate the environment and invest in their local communities, building prosperity.
How we Partner
We are always looking to design new projects or build new programs.
We support businesses that are at the forefront of circularity, regenerative agriculture, and agroecology, enabling them to innovate, grow, and contribute more effectively to a sustainable and competitive food system in East Africa.
We are equipping women with the practical skills and confidence needed to create sustainable businesses and enterprises, ensuring that East African prosperity is equitable and widespread.
Hire us as a Consultant
We provide services to partners interested in helping entrepreneurs grow Good Businesses through a one-off short-term engagement.
Our Capabilities
Annual Planning and Reviews
- Goal setting, review
- Annual KPIs
- Scorecards
Strategic Planning (Growth)
- Vision, Mission, Purpose, Values
- Customer and Value Proposition
- Market research
- Competitor & SWOT analysis
- Long term KPIs
- The right people in the right seats
Business Modelling
- Business model design
- Business model validation
Financial Modelling
- Unit Economics
- Scenario & Sensitivity Analysis
Budgeting and Forecasting
- Developing budgets and financial forecasts
External CFO Support
- Develop and Deploy Cash Management Tools
- Periodic Cash flow Health Checks and Advisory
- Financial Analytics and Reporting
Investment Advisory
- Due Diligence, Structuring and Negotiation
- Documentation (Pitch Deck, Investor Memos, Term Sheets and setting up the data room)
Finance Training and Coaching
- Training and Coaching for non-finance entrepreneurs
- Customised Finance Workshops
Conducting Market / Feasibility studies
- Design of the Terms of Reference
- Conducting research and reporting
Designing Entrepreneurship Support Programs
- Designing programs
Past Consulting Engagements
Financial modelling and valuation for a Credit Reference Bureau licensed by the Bank of Uganda
An independent valuation of a newly licensed Credit Reference Bureau in Uganda. This assignment involved building a 3-statement financial model and conducting a Discounted Cash Flow Valuation using the 3-statement financial model we developed.
Financial modelling of a low-cost housing startup in Uganda for a Kenya-based Impact Investment Fund
We built a financial model for a low-cost housing startup in Uganda to aid the appraisal of a potential USD 750,000 investment for a Kenya-based Impact Investment Fund. This encompassed building a 3-statement financial model and conducting a Discounted Cash Flow Valuation using the 3-statement financial model we developed.
Due Diligence, Valuation and Investment Structuring for a German-based Impact Investment Fund
An independent valuation of an agribusiness based in Soroti, Uganda and the creation of a draft term sheet by a qualified third party for a potential investment of up to USD 300,000. This evaluation encompassed a comprehensive analysis of the business’ financial position, market trends, and industry dynamics to determine its fair value, alongside the formulation of a term sheet outlining investment terms, governance structure, financial projections, and risk mitigation strategies. The goal was to inform our client’s investment decision, ensuring alignment with their mission of sustainable food security and social entrepreneurship while promoting the business’ market for farmers and products in North Eastern Uganda.
Due Diligence, Valuation and Investment Structuring for a German-based Impact Investment Fund
An independent valuation of an agribusiness based in Kakamega, Kenya and the creation of a draft term sheet by a qualified third party for a potential investment of up to USD 200,000. This evaluation encompassed a comprehensive analysis of the business’ financial position, market trends, and industry dynamics to determine its fair value, alongside the formulation of a term sheet outlining investment terms, governance structure, financial projections, and risk mitigation strategies. The goal was to inform our client’s investment decision, ensuring alignment with their mission of sustainable food security and social entrepreneurship while promoting the business’ market for indigenous vegetable farmers and products in Western Kenya.
Become a SHONA Expert
We are always looking for professional individuals or organisations with credible expertise to be part of the SHONA Expert Network in Uganda and Kenya. We partner with SHONA Experts to provide business support and technical assistance across various sectors to enhance the capabilities and performance of businesses supported by SHONA. By joining our database, you will have the opportunity to be part of growing Good Businesses in East Africa.
- Proven experience working in Uganda and/or in Kenya.
- Proven expertise in providing business support and technical assistance.
- Proven track record as a subject matter expert on a given topic.
- Excellent communication, coaching and mentorship skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Experience working with entrepreneurs in emerging markets is a plus.
- Alignment and Commitment to SHONA’s mission and values.
- Interest in thought leadership including expert commentary & delivering quotes for publications on pertinent subject matters
To register your interest in being considered, please use this link to express your interest. Your expression of interest contains:
- A completed form with your details.
- A formal expression of interest including a capability statement (with referees).
- Your CV or an organisational profile for the applying entity including their team. Please use this link to download our CV template. You will be required to upload it below as part of your submission.
- SHONA reserves the right to accept or reject any expression of interest.
- SHONA reserves the right to discontinue the process and reject all expressions of interest at any time without obligation to inform individual applicants.
- SHONA is not obliged to reveal information to applicants regarding how their expressions of interest were evaluated and why some applicants have been selected and others have not.
- On Identifying that there is no conflict of interest or that any identified conflict of interest could be managed (in addition to the evaluation of the applicant’s experience, expertise and motivation), the applicants shall be shortlisted.
- On a case-by-case basis depending on a given subject, applicants will be subjected to a practical assignment and perhaps a virtual interview to get more insight and alignment.
- The selected applicants will be sent a confirmation letter to confirm their pre-qualification detailing how service engagement with SHONA will look like from time to time. The list/profiles of prequalified experts will be published on the SHONA website.
- Proven experience working in Uganda and/or in Kenya.
- Proven expertise in providing business support and technical assistance.
- Proven track record as a subject matter expert on a given topic.
- Excellent communication, coaching and mentorship skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Experience working with entrepreneurs in emerging markets is a plus.
- Alignment and Commitment to SHONA’s mission and values.
- Interest in thought leadership including expert commentary & delivering quotes for publications on pertinent subject matters
- Proven experience working in Uganda and/or in Kenya.
- Proven expertise in providing business support and technical assistance.
- Proven track record as a subject matter expert on a given topic.
- Excellent communication, coaching and mentorship skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Experience working with entrepreneurs in emerging markets is a plus.
- Alignment and Commitment to SHONA’s mission and values.
- Interest in thought leadership including expert commentary & delivering quotes for publications on pertinent subject matters
