For founders
Capital, judgement and connections for businesses ready to grow.
SAN members back operating Sierra Leonean businesses with real customers — and stay involved after the investment is made.
Eligibility
What we look for
- Legally registered and operating
- Product or service already in market
- Revenue-generating
- Evidence of traction and customer demand
- Credible, coachable founders
- Clear unit economics and a path to self-sustainability
- Potential to scale in Sierra Leone, West Africa or beyond
Sectors
Priority sectors, but sector-open
SAN gives particular attention to these sectors, and remains open to strong businesses in any sector. Women-led and youth-led businesses are explicitly welcome.
- Agriculture and processing
- Financial services
- Logistics
- Energy
- Health
- Education
- Tourism
- Creative industries
Deal size and instruments
US$10,000 – US$100,000
A typical SAN investment falls in this range, deployed through instruments including SAFEs, convertible notes, priced equity and debt. Structure follows the business — not the other way round.
More than capital
What arrives alongside the investment
Financial systems
Bookkeeping, reporting and cash discipline that stand up to scrutiny.
Governance
Boards, decision rights and the basics that make a company durable.
KPI tracking
Agreeing the numbers that matter and reviewing them honestly.
Strategy
Pricing, channels, expansion sequencing and focus.
Introductions
Customers, suppliers, advisers and co-investors from the member network.
Technical assistance
Targeted expertise from members and partners where a gap is holding growth back.
Prepare your application
Have these ready before you get in touch
Strong preparation shortens the process considerably. You do not need perfect documents — you need honest, current ones.
- 01Certificate of registration and current business licences
- 02A short company overview and the problem you solve
- 03Financial statements or management accounts for the last 12–24 months
- 04Current revenue, cost structure and unit economics
- 05Evidence of traction: customers, contracts, repeat sales or usage data
- 06Founder and key team profiles, including time commitment and equity split
- 07How much you are raising, what it will be used for and over what period
- 08Known risks and how you plan to manage them
Ready to talk to us?
Send a founder enquiry with a short description of your business and what you are raising. Submitting an enquiry does not guarantee review, a pitch invitation or investment; the Secretariat responds to enquiries that fit SAN's published criteria.