Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF)
Bridging Growth for Palestinian Startups
The Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) supports the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Palestine by providing financial assistance to early-stage startups. The program fosters innovation, enhances scalability, and improves market readiness, empowering young entrepreneurs to create jobs and drive economic growth.
OCIF is part of the broader Orange Corners initiative, which is powered by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Orange Corners provides young entrepreneurs across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East with training, mentorship, networking opportunities, funding, and facilities to help them start and scale their businesses. The initiative focuses on supporting innovative solutions to local challenges that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By collaborating with local and international partners, Orange Corners works to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems and drive sustainable impact.
As an extension of the Orange Corners pre-acceleration program, OCIF specifically addresses the financing gap faced by young entrepreneurs in Palestine. Many early-stage startups struggle to secure funding from traditional sources due to perceived risk. OCIF bridges this gap through soft loans and grants while also equipping startups with the necessary skills to scale their businesses, improve investment readiness, and attract follow-up funding for long-term growth.
OCIF Structure
OCIF consists of two financing tracks, offering tailored support to early-stage startups:
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Available to most entrepreneurs in the Orange Corners PT Pre-acceleration programmes in OCIF countries.
Provides financial assistance in the form of a Pre-Acceleration voucher.
Maximum funding per startup is up to €4,200.
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Designed for startups that have demonstrated significant progress in Track I and are ready for scaling.
Selection is based on a pitch competition assessed by an expert jury.
Each startup receives up to €50,000 in funding, consisting of 50% grant and 50% zero-interest loan.
Further business development support is provided over 3 months to prepare startups for future investment.
Who Can Apply to Track II?
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Registered startups in the Palestinian territories or those in the process of registration.
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Operational for at least six months.
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Founding team with diverse skill sets.
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Open to all industries (sector-agnostic).
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Preference for startups with more than one founder
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Priority for startups that have participated in Orange Corners PT Pre-Acceleration programme.
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Startups must demonstrate innovation, a competitive advantage, paying customers or identified potential customers and a clear path to profitability.
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Preference is given to startups at the MVP stage or beyond.
Selection Process for Track II
The selection process for Track II builds on the foundation of Orange Corners PT Pre-Acceleration programme in Track I, ensuring strategic alignment. The key steps include:
Initial Review and Due Diligence
Conducted by Intersect based on predefined eligibility criteria.
Automated Scoring System
Weights responses based on:
Company registration status.
Operational track record (minimum 6 months).
Founding team’s skill diversity and female participation.
Innovation, competitive advantage, customer traction, and market size.
Product development stage (higher scores for mature and commercially viable startups).
Final Selection Committee Review
Top-ranked candidates proceed to final approval.
FAQs
Track II Financial Structure
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Up to four startups will be supported per cycle, with two cycles implemented each year.
Each startup receives blended finance of grant and loan, with a maximum of €50,000 per startup where it will be 50% grant (disbursed by Intersect) and50% zero-interest loan (managed by the Bank of Palestine).
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3-month grace period.
Repayment over 24 months following the grace period.
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No repayment required.
How to Apply to Track II?
Startups can apply by filling out the application form below.
Impact and Vision
As this is our first cycle, we aim to establish OCIF as a key player in supporting Palestinian startups. Our long-term goal is to create jobs, drive economic growth, and enhance the Palestinian entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing financial and technical assistance to early-stage startups.
Key Partners
OCIF is implemented by Intersect, in consortium with Ibtikar Fund and Bank of Palestine, and in partnership with Flow Accelerator the implementer of the Orange Corners Pre-Acceleration Programme. All partners are committed to fostering entrepreneurship in Palestine.
Bank of Palestine
Ibtikar Fund
Intersect
Flow Accelerator
Orange Corners
APPLY NOW
Interested startups can apply now through our online application form
For any inquiries, please contact us at [email protected]
We’re here to help
We are committed to providing a transparent, fair, and accessible process for beneficiaries, employees, and other stakeholders of the Orange Corner Innovation Fund (OCIF) to voice concerns or complaints regarding the project.