LEAD launched its second edition of the business plan competition open to entrepreneurs, investors, and SMEs in Haiti and abroad who want to create or expand commercial activity in Haiti.

Successful candidates have the chance to receive awards ranging from $50,000 to $200,000, however, they have to be able to provide matching funds at least equal to the size of the grant. LEAD can also provide technical assistance to selected candidates in preparing and implementing the business plan.

The highlights of the 2013 Business Plan Competition are:
Application process: 100% web-based application form*. On-going application process with technical support for selected candidates during the application process through mentoring, consulting and/or training.

Grants: US $50,000 – US $200,000 grants on a 1:1 match basis until amount of grants available is exhausted.

Geographic location: Cap-Haitien, Saint-Marc and Port-au-Prince corridors

Sectors: Tourism, Agriculture, Textiles/garment industry, Construction, New technologies, Alternative energy / renewables, Other productive sectors.

LEAD (Leveraging Effective Application of Direct Investment for Haiti) is a Pan American Development Foundation’s (PADF) program.

For more information, visit http://www.leadinvestmentshaiti.info/smes/