NEW GRANTS ADDED . RESOURCES AVAILABLE NOW . NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE NOW .
ARK Ecosystem
Affiliates
Unlocking Blended Finance for the missing middle
As an ARK Ecosystem Affiliate, you join a shared mission: to unlock blended-finance solutions that propel high-potential enterprises in the “missing middle.” The private sector is the engine of inclusive growth, yet too many promising businesses stall between the ceiling of micro-credit and the floor of institutional investment. Structural barriers—market inefficiencies, discrimination, and weak enabling environments—keep many promising businesses tanks low or even empty. Lasting progress demands an ecosystem response. Blended finance is still the most practical lever, but few firms can assemble the right mix of catalytic, concessional, and commercial capital on their own. ARK’s affiliate network bridges that gap, combining know-how with innovative instruments—de-risking grants, diaspora capital, outcome-based funding, and more—so growth-ready businesses can secure the fuel they need to scale their impact.
Who is it for:
In-Country Affiliates:
National funds, accelerators, or incubators serving 'missing-middle' businesses within a single country.
Sector Affiliates:
Partners whose remit centres on a primary impact sector, such as clean energy, agri-tech, health, etc - often tied to a specific Sustainable Development Goal.
Multi-Sector Affiliates:
Organisations regional accelerators, platforms, or funds active across several sectors and/or geographies.
Enabling-Environment Partners:
Institutions shaping the policy, regulatory, or market conditions that allow missing-middle firms to thrive.
Affiliate benefits:
Quarterly Spotlight to Diaspora Investors:
Showcase your milestones, investment opportunities, and policy wins to our curated UK–Africa diaspora investment community.
Annual Fundraising Clinic:
Our network of seasoned capital-raising experts delivers a free annual bespoke workshop for your cohort, equipping “missing-middle” businesses with practical strategies to secure catalytic and commercial funding.
Live Grants Database & Tailored Alerts:
Your portfolio gains 24/7 access to ARK’s global grants database, plus twice-yearly, customised briefings on the most relevant concessional-finance opportunities in your market.
Next steps:
If your organisation serves—or is committed to serving—high-potential “missing-middle” enterprises, we invite you to join ARK’s Ecosystem Affiliate network. The programme is free and purpose-built to advance durable, blended-finance solutions for impact-driven SMEs worldwide. Entry is by referral from an ARK member or an existing Ecosystem Affiliate. Simply complete the short application form below; once your referral is verified and your affiliation approved, you will get a confirmed contact person and unlock the free resources outlined above. Join us, amplify your impact, and let’s take an ecosystem approach to fuel the growth of businesses that power impact.