Entrepreneurs - Nomou-MENA website

Entrepreneur and Small Business support from GroFin

Nomou Funding & Business Support

Entrepreneurs and SMEs in MENA looking to start or grow a small business face many challenges. These include finding a committed partner who is able to provide SME loans that are structured according to their small business needs and being able to access experienced business support, services, and networks that improve their chances of entrepreneurship success.

The Nomou programme operates on the GroFin model of providing funding and business support to growing businesses in Africa and the Middle East. Clients meet with GroFin Investment Managers who work with them, providing pre-investment business guidance and continual business support for the investment term.

GroFin is an award-winning SME development finance organisation that understands the challenges faced by SMEs operating in difficult environments. With an innovative approach that assesses businesses plans based on their viability, GroFin has supported thousands of entrepreneurs and business owners looking to start or grow their enterprises.

Nomou Offering
Nomou Criteria

Flexible loans ranging from 3-8 years
Patient capital of US$1K to US$2M (US$1K to US$1.5 in Egypt and Oman) in local currency equivalent
Business support services including marketing, supply chains access, and human capital development
A quick response time

Nomou works with hands-on entrepreneurs of locally managed formal or informal businesses.
Nomou clients represent enterprises in a variety of sectors including health, education, energy, wholesale, and manufacturing.
The Nomou team is passionate about assisting dedicated entrepreneurs who recognise that they need business skills and market linkage support to enhance their viability.
The Nomou model acknowledges that often business owners lack the track record and/or collateral needed to secure loans from traditional lending institutions and, therefore, selects clients based on GroFin’s proprietary viability model.

These are some highlights of GroFin's funding and support to SMEs in Africa & MENA:

% Avg. increase
in turnover
for our SMEs

SMEs Invested In
by GroFin

(US$ Million)
US$ 100,000 – US$ 1.5M
Available Loan Size

(US$ Million)
Cumulative Funds Raised
for SMEs

*Figures as at December 2017

Apply for Funding & Business Support

How Nomou works

GroFin actively supports its SME clients in MENA throughout the entire investment period, helping them successfully navigate difficult operating environments, increase market share, and grow their business to its fullest potential. When you fill in an application for a SME loan, we assign an Investment Manager to walk with you each step of the way. Your business will be assessed and you will receive a thorough breakdown of its current health as well as the risks and opportunities.

Step 1 - Apply

After completing an application, each applicant is assigned an investment manager who checks their business needs against our investment criteria and a decision is made as to whether we are able to proceed with the application.

Step 2 - Support

If our initial review is positive, we provide expert pre-finance business support to help finalise a potential clients’ application and business plan. Our analysis provides applicants with a financial model which, along with their business plan, is a roadmap for their business, highlighting potential opportunities and key risks to be addressed.

Step 3 - Finance

If the outcome of our business analysis of the application is positive, it is then presented to our board. Our board provides a final approval of the application including the structuring of finance to be provided and any relevant terms and conditions. This information is detailed in our offer letter to the client. Once the client has formally accepted and met all conditions and requirements of the offer letter, implementation can proceed. At this point, clients become liable for any interest and capital repayments as per the repayment schedule agreed with them.

Step 4 - Grow

Our integrated solution provides more than money. We provide our clients with continuous value-adding business support for the duration of the finance period, focusing on their business’ needs. Our support is designed to enhance the success of our clients’ business while helping them implement their business plan.

Step 5 - Review

On payment of the final instalment according to an agreed financial plan or other agreed settlement, our formal involvement with our clients’ business ends. While additional funding and on-going support can be discussed with us at any point, final settlement is a good time for clients to review their business plans and discuss any further finance and support needed.

Do I Qualify?

Where is Nomou finance & support available?

Where Nomou operates

The Nomou programme currently operates in Oman, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. The programme is managed by GroFin from its regional office in Cairo while local activities are coordinated by GroFin offices in each country. Each local office is staffed with Investment Managers and Investment Executives who provide front line support to entrepreneurs. GroFin is constantly expanding its geographic footprint and expect to increase its presence to select MENA countries over the next 5 years.

GroFin business support helps your business become investment friendly, increase sales, reduce risk and lay the groundwork for long-term success.

Powering SME success

GroFin STEP

As a Nomou programme client, you will have access to not only finance but also GroFin’s in-house business support to help your business grow and reach new heights of success.

GroFin STEP refers to the non-financial services provided by GroFin investment managers, both before and after providing funds to your business, encompassing the necessary assistance, guidance, mentoring, handholding, coaching, and other value-adding services that will lead your business to:

Become investment-ready, with a financeable business plan;
Enhance prospects for rapid sales growth;
Reduce risk and become more formalised; and
Strengthen its long-term viability;

all of which will ultimately fast-track your business for growth and success.
Learn more about GroFin’s STEP business support through the GroFin website.

What is GroFin STEP?

GroFin STEP, standing for “Success Through Effective Partnerships”, is what GroFin wants to achieve in working with you to overcome your business challenges and maximise business opportunities.

How does GroFin STEP support you?

Preparing a plan for your business

As a first step, when you approach GroFin, we assist you to conduct an as-is assessment of your business, which forms the basis for a robust business plan outlining the risks and opportunities facing your business. After financing your business, we extend business support in areas of focus identified under such a business planning exercise.

Delivering functional support (Finance, Operations, HR and Marketing)

GroFin also extends support to help you develop functional expertise and implement best practices in areas such as finance, operations, HR and marketing. From monthly management accounting to streamlining operations; negotiating contracts with suppliers and customers, to HR planning; developing market linkages and designing marketing campaigns to promote brand awareness; our support extends across all major functions and organisational activities where you may require assistance.

Implementing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) best practices

GroFin promotes ESG practices that can be fully integrated into your operations, generate economic value as well as mitigate any environmental risks, occupational health and safety hazards, and ensure compliance with local legislation and operational requirements. We assist you in areas such as formalising the business, developing a sound organisational structure, undertaking succession planning, mitigating environmental risks, equipping your business against occupational health and safety hazards, as well as complying with applicable rules and regulations.