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Up-Scaling Portfolio Management
DEG under its "Up-scaling Programme" finances early-stage SMEs to scale innovative business models with high development impact. The funding is repayable once the companies reach predefined success criteria, such as a certain revenue, gross profit or amount of new funding raised. The programme is part of the "Partners in Transformation" initiative by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Since 2013, it has invested approximately EUR 55 million in 88 innovative young businesses. Since 2024 the active investment phase of the Up-scaling Programme has come to an end. This means, no new companies are financed but the existing portfolio still has to be actively monitored. In 2025, DEG has entrusted DEG Impulse with the management of the remaining Up-Scaling Programme on behalf of DEG. At the beginning of 2026, the portfolio will consist of approx. 50 companies, with two-thirds based in Sub-Saharan Africa and the remainder in South and Southeast Asia, Mexico and Peru. The agreements with these portfolio companies and their obligation to repay usually extends over a period of five years and has been occasionally extended. The number of portfolio companies will decrease each year by on average 12 companies per year as the monitoring phase for the investments ends and final reports are being prepared. DEG Impulse intends to hire a consultant to support the management of the Up-Scaling Progamme. The consultant will conduct a proactive portfolio monitoring with the key goal to ensure maximum repayment of the approx. EUR 24, million in outstanding commitments at the beginning of 2026. The role also involves ensuring the programme"s positive impact on the companies and the wider start-up ecosystem, supporting the growth of portfolio companies, and exploring potential follow-on financing opportunities with DEG or the broader DFI ecosystem.