Grow 2 Scale is a 5-year project implemented by a consortium of three organizations (AFR, ESP and BPN) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The project aims to place 44,600 youth in dignified and fulfilling (D&F) work, with targets of 70% women and 5% persons with disabilities and refugees. BPN’s focus within the project is on accelerating the growth of women-led MSMEs in the agri-business and tourism & hospitality (T&H) sectors, particularly by enhancing access to markets and finance. BPN will support high-potential bootstrapper and gazelle entrepreneurs to drive growth, job creation, skill development, and financial inclusion, with a strong emphasis on reducing poverty among women, youth, persons with disabilities, and refugees.
BPN Rwanda Programs under the Mastercard Foundation G2S Project
1. The Strategize Program:
The Strategize Program at BPN is a 3-month-based initiative that empowers entrepreneurs to define their vision and mission while developing clear, actionable business strategies. Through a selective application process, participants are trained in business plan writing, business model canvas, and bookkeeping, with access to four coaching sessions from experienced professionals who provide personalized guidance. The program also offers a supportive learning environment, where entrepreneurs can network, collaborate, and learn from each other’s experiences. By the end of the program, participants will have a well-defined business strategy, financial alignment, and practical tools, templates, and resources to implement in their businesses for long-term success. The Strategize Program is outcome-focused, designed to ensure that entrepreneurs walk away with a strong foundation for growth and effective decision-making, positioning their businesses for sustainable success.
Interventions: Strategy Development workshops and coaching
Target : Bootstrapper SMEs
Duration: 3-months
Apply for the Strategize Program Here
2. The Step up Program A 2-year initiative designed for bootstrapper SMEs in the tourism, hospitality, and agriculture sectors. This program offers foundational training in business administration, finance, marketing, and leadership, equipping entrepreneurs with the essential skills needed to grow and manage their businesses effectively. Additionally, the program offers needs-based training tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities of each participant. Entrepreneurs in the Step-Up Program also receive one-on-one coaching, which is personalized to unlock the full potential of the business owner, addressing individual needs and providing guidance on business growth. The program creates networking opportunities, allowing entrepreneurs to identify potential partnerships, whether for buyers, sellers, or collaborators, and facilitating peer learning among participants. Furthermore, the Step-Up Program provides access to finance to support business expansion, helping entrepreneurs secure the funding necessary to scale their operations. Focused on fostering sustainable growth, the program is designed to empower entrepreneurs to develop strong, resilient businesses and position them for long-term success.
Interventions: Business Management training, executive coaching, sector specific training, training for staff, networking and access to finance
Target : Bootstrapper SMEs
Duration: 2 Years
3. The Impala Program
Imagine a Rwanda where women entrepreneurs don’t just survive, but truly thrive. The Impala Program is a one-year launchpad for high-potential women-led businesses that once had a clear vision, but whose growth paths have become clouded by the demands of maintaining business stability and navigating personal responsibilities. Impala empowers women to reclaim and redefine their vision and mission, turning ambition into action. Through hands-on training, personalized coaching, technical support, and access to influential networks, participants gain the tools, confidence, and clarity needed to scale their businesses and lead with purpose. If you’re ready to reignite your drive and get back on the growth path, Impala is designed exactly for you. The program equips you with a clear, actionable business strategy, helping you lead boldly and build a sustainable, impactful enterprise.
Interventions: Business diagnostic, Growth strategy workshops & coaching, technical advisory, mentorship, networking, access to finance finance
Target : Women entrepreneurs Only: Bootstrapper SMEs
Duration: 1 Year
Apply for the Impala Program Here
4. The Topify Program
The ‘Topify’ program is designed to support Gazelle SMEs high-growth, established businesses, by helping them achieve their scaling objectives, including, but not limited to, increasing revenue and profits, improving cash flow, entering new markets, improving efficiency, etc. Through the program, entrepreneurs have access to personalized coaching, hands-on business advisory and technical support, workshops on topics related to scaling, funding, and valuable networking opportunities. The program runs for over two years, with activities scheduled to optimize business growth. Our rigorous selection process evaluates both the entrepreneur’s mindset and business growth prospects.
Interventions: Scale up strategy development, sector specific training and advisory, technical advisory, executive and leadership coaching, access to finance, international exposure, networking.
Target : Gazelles SMEs
Duration: 2 Years
Apply for the Topify Program Here
We strongly encourage youth, women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and refugees to apply.
