Orange Corner Innovation Fund

ORANGE CORNER INNOVATION FUND (OCIF) is part of the broader Orange Corners initiative, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

OCIF Baghdad is a 2.6-million-euro fund which includes a 400,000 euro co-funding from IVP, will provide technical expertise, access to networks, and direct financial support to young entrepreneurs. The fund aims to address critical barriers startups face, such as limited access to capital, inadequate capacity building, and lack of investment readiness. It provides early-stage startups access to finance and advanced mentorship, enabling them to scale their businesses, create jobs, and address local social challenges.

Program Details:

7 Year Program

Q4 2024 – Q4 2030

10 COHORTS

20 Entrepreneurs in each cohort

Track 1: Includes 20 participants who will receive:

Monthly Allowance

Financial support to sustain participation

Prototype Vouchers

Allocated to each participant to develop their product or service for market fit

Investment Readiness Support

Assistance in improving business plans.

Track 2: For startups advancing to the next stage, the following will be provided:

Advanced Investment Readiness Support

Focused on governance and financial areas

Pre-Investment Grant

Designed to support key growth areas as outlined in a capital raise blueprint.

Loans and Financing

Loan provided to startups to support key areas of growth.

Co-Investment Grants

Non dilutive capital for every startup that successfully raises capital

Investor Mobilization

Activities aimed at connecting the Iraqi ecosystem with local, regional, and international investors.

Supported by

Unlocking Investment Opportunities

Our comprehensive program focuses on three key pillars to enhance your investment attractiveness and mitigate risks for potential investors:

Learn What Investors Want

Understanding the investor mindset.
Creating a scalable business model and a compelling value proposition.
Understanding Safe and Convertible notes.
Developing a pitch deck with essential metrics (growth metrics, financial health, market potential).
Organizing a data room for due diligence.
Identifying and avoiding common pitching mistakes.

Technical Assistance for Track 1

Pitch Deck Refinement
Data Room Setup: Use Google Drive for easy access and secure management, creating a folder structure that is organized and investor-friendly.
- Pitch Deck: Finalized presentation for pitching events.
- Financial Statements: Income statements, cash flow projections, and balance sheets.
- Business Plan and Strategy Documents: Including go-to-market plans, competitive analysis, and product development roadmap.
- Financial Projections and Loan Payback: Provide clear, data-backed financial projections and, if relevant, a scenario for loan repayment.
Fundraising and Ask Structure: Details on structuring ask and the use of the proceeds to grow the company.

Governance and Financial Management for OCIF Track 2

Governance Framework:
- Establish clear leadership roles and responsibilities.
- Implement best practices in governance, accountability, and procurement.
- Develop policies for cash management, financial oversight, and operations.
Financial Management:
- Learn to create and analyze Profit & Loss, Cash Flow, and Balance Sheets.
- Optimize expenses, cash flow, and cost efficiency while maintaining quality.
- Set measurable KPIs and align financial practices with investor expectations.
Investment Readiness:
- Build investor-ready financial statements and accurate reports.
- Strengthen financial planning, record-keeping, and analysis.

Collaboration

OCIF is supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and implemented by Iraq Venture Partners.