Call for Applications: Join the READY-Salone for Tech Startups.

Nationality : Sierra Leone
Deadline: 31 January 2025

About the ITC READY-Salone Project

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is proud to introduce the READY-Salone project, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). This initiative aims to enhance economic opportunities for youth in Sierra Leone by focusing on targeted skills development for young digital entrepreneurs and freelancers. A particular emphasis is placed on empowering young women and individuals with disabilities.

Project Goals

READY-Salone seeks to bridge crucial gaps in market access, skill sets, and supportive ecosystems that are vital for youth participation in the digital economy. By collaborating with local and Korean partners, this project aims to equip Sierra Leonean youth with the necessary tools to tap into new job prospects and market opportunities within the growing digital landscape.

Who Can Get Involved?

The READY-Salone project is currently seeking its inaugural cohort of tech start-ups. To qualify as a tech start-up under this initiative, applicants must meet several criteria:

The top manager should be 35 years old or younger.
The business must utilize digital technology as a core element (including e-commerce).
Start-ups should be profit-oriented but can also demonstrate social impact—please include details about your social contributions in your application.
The business must be operational and generating sales.
Start-ups need to be based in Sierra Leone.

We particularly encourage applications from:

Women-led businesses: Where at least 25% ownership and management is held by women.
Businesses led by persons with disabilities.
Companies focused on environmental sustainability: Including those involved in clean tech, green tech, or climate technology.

Selected start-ups will fall into one of two categories:

Growth Stage: Established businesses that are generating revenue while targeting new markets or products.
Entrepreneurship Stage: Start-ups that have confirmed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and are actively acquiring customers.

Start-ups may transition from the Entrepreneurship category to Growth during their time in the program.

Selection Process

All submitted applications will undergo evaluation by a panel of local and international experts contracted by ITC. Please rest assured that all application-related information, including financial data, will remain strictly confidential. Following an initial review process, selected candidates will participate in 360Diagnostics interviews—this assessment tool helps categorize each startup into either ‘Entrepreneurship’ or ‘Growth’ stages based on their readiness for scaling operations. It’s important to note that partner organizations associated with this project focus solely on promoting application outreach; they do not play any role in candidate selection—the entire process is managed autonomously by ITC. KNOCKOUT Criteria: Applications from start-ups not leveraging technology as a core enabling factor will be disqualified. Any discrepancies found within applications may lead to exclusion or reclassification of applicants.

If you’re ready to take your tech venture forward while contributing positively to society’s fabric through innovation, consider applying today! Together we can empower Sierra Leone’s youth toward sustainable economic growth!

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Application deadline

Please complete this form latest by 31 January 2025 (applications received before 20 January can lead to a 360Diagnostics assessment during the team’s business trip to Freetown)
Kindly look out for the final screen to confirm that you have successfully submitted your application

Should you have questions or want to report problems with the form, please contact Mr. John Ndabarasa (jndabarasa@intracen.org) or Mr. Martin Labbé (labbe@intracen.org).

APPLY HERE