1. Performance in the Catalyser Program (judged by incubator)
2. Viability of the Business Model (judged by incubator + BIC Ethiopia)
3. Grant purpose of use. This information is part of the application at the end of the Catalyser Training. (Judged by incubator + BIC Ethiopia)

Discounted Loans of 50.000 EUR (where 25.000 EUR will be covered as contribution from BIC ETHIOPIA and the MSME has to pay back only 25.000 EUR to the banks) will be available on a competitive basis for MSMEs. Conditions for the discounted loan will depend on the financial institution BIC Ethiopia will partner with.

Pre-requisite for a discounted loan application is the participation in the finance your business master class. Only MSMEs with a good performance in the Catalyser training and a viable business model will be invited to this training. The selection will be done by the incubator conducting the Catalyser training in cooperation with BIC Ethiopia. Up to 60 MSMEs might be invited to take part in the finance your business master class. At the end of the finance your business master class, MSMEs can apply for the discounted loan.

The loan is paid out in birr. Conditions for the discounted loans depend on the financial institution that BIC Ethiopia partners with. The first Finance your Business Master class will probably take place in the fourth quarter of 2023.