HÀ NỘI — Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Việt Nam, who contribute towards sustainable development and are seeking debt capital and investment readiness assistance, now have the chance to connect with investors by applying for the inaugural Capital Mobilisation Challenge for the Southeast Asian Region.

The challenge is designed in the event that SMEs in Việt Nam and in the Southeast Asian region (SEA) face an array of sustainable development challenges due to their diverse geographic, economic and cultural attributes. A snapshot of these challenges includes access to clean energy, health services, sustainable economic growth, adequate infrastructure and reliable water and sanitation services.

Therefore, the programme aims at addressing SMEs’ financial inclusion by improving their investment readiness level while concurrently mobilising investors. 

Local SMEs actively promoting sustainable development in one of the aforementioned thematic areas and in need of US$500,000-$2 million in debt capital are encouraged to apply for the challenge.

The competition was launched in September 2017 and organised by Unkapt Capital, a unit of Australia’s Evermore Money Management, in collaboration with Melbourne-based financial advisory service firm Pennam Partners.

Successful candidates at the competition will be eligible for awards worth up to $50,000, which include complimentary investment readiness bootcamp “Demystifying Private Debt,” up to $10,000 technical assistance grant, advisory support from Pennam Partners, and/or application for fee waiver and access to the Unkapt platform.

Upon access to Unkapt, successful applicants will also have the opportunity to list and showcase their debt capital raising offer on the Unkapt platform with a view to facilitating introduction to private debt investors.

Unkapt is an alternative lending and cross border capital raising platform for SMEs seeking to raise debt capital through accredited investors. Unkapt offers embedded deal execution, advanced credit analytics and interactive tools that all work to lower the engagement barrier between the investee and investor.

For more information on the Capital Mobilisation Challenge, visit cmc.unkapt.capital for the infopack, application package and FAQs. The challenge application phase closes on October 31, 2017. Interested parties should sign up at the earliest. — VNS