Vula

Africa currently has a financing gap of $402,2 billion per annum. However, the African Development Bank Group has set the goal to close this gap by 2030 to catch up with high-performing regions.

Yet, accessing funding is a challenge, from the complex funding regulations, to pitching, to accessing suitable grants. This calls for active funding solutions to help develop SMEs. Fortunately, venture capitalists serve as one of the primary solutions to close the funding gap.

Businesses today enjoy having tools and platforms designed to make the funding process easier, both for the business and the lenders.

One of the platforms that offer these tools is Vula. Vula is a venture capital platform that aims to make ten times the investment into SMEs in Africa by 2030. Vula gives businesses the opportunity to streamline their funding applications by using your business’s material to automatically fill out your answers.

Additionally, Vula helps match you with funding opportunities that are in line with your business.

AI Assistant for Pitches

When you sign up on Vula VC, you’ll find an AI tool where you will be prompted to enter your website’s name, then it will analyse your website’s about page to help you generate an elevator pitch. Vula can help you complete each stage as you draft your pitch. 

This includes your pitch landing page, outlining the problem you’re solving, your team’s information, the raising target, the metrics, the vision, answering questions like “why now”, and more.

AI Assistant for Applications

Vula’s AI tool helps you answer questions on your application form, based on what it knows about your business. For applications, you can enter basic information such as your annual turnover, as well as the approximate funding amount your business requires.

Automated Grant Matching Tool

Vula allows businesses to enter a few details like their industry and geographic location, then it uses the provided information to find grants that are in line with your industry. This way, you don’t have to spend time looking for grants on your own. 

When you’re applying for grants, you can apply directly on the grant provider’s website, but Vula’s AI tool also helps you answer questions you may have in your application.

Investor Memo

Vula uses the information from your website and any material you have provided to generate an investor memo that explains your business and why it is a good investment.

An investor memo helps you communicate your business to investors and opens room to receive feedback on your business. The investor memo includes a general one-liner of your business, market size, problem, solution, revenue model, competition, go-to marketing, and risks.

This outline would still require you to go back and amend where necessary. Once you’re satisfied with your memo, you can make it live and share the link and password with potential investors.

Ask Vula

The “Ask Vula” feature enables you to ask any question about your business. Whether you are applying for funding, writing an e-mail, or simply looking for information to save time, Vula can provide the answers.

Vula is free to use for all SMEs across Africa. Since this platform aims to reduce the funding gap, businesses don’t need to spend money to try and access funding and grants through Vula.