Export-ready businesses
Selling well at home and ready for a first or larger export order.
Typical applicantA spice, garment or furniture maker with steady local sales and a buyer enquiry from abroad.
Incubator
Grow a business that exports
Apply to an open call, get verified and scored by an independent panel, and meet buyers and funders through the aLTlas desk.
- Free to apply
- Open worldwide
- No equity taken
Call status
Next call opens soon
Each call is open for about six weeks. Leave your email and we'll tell you the day it opens, with the theme and who can apply.
Who it's for
Five tracks for traders in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. Each call names the tracks it's open to.
Processing
Adding value to raw goods before they leave the country.
Typical applicantA cashew, cocoa, coffee or fruit processor moving from bulk to packed product.
Trade tools
Software and services that make cross-border trade easier.
Typical applicantA logistics, payments or compliance start-up that serves small exporters.
Women- and youth-led
Businesses led by women or founders under 35, in any sector.
Typical applicantA women-owned shea or textile business preparing its first export shipment.
Diaspora founders
Founders abroad building trade links with their home market.
Typical applicantA founder in London, Toronto or Dubai sourcing from producers back home.
How selection works
Typical durations. Each call publishes its own dates.
- 1
Apply
About 6 weeks open
Fill in one online application: your business, products, capacity and what you want to achieve.
- 2
Screening
About 2 weeks
We check your company through aLTlas verification: registration, owners and documents.
- 3
Panel scoring
About 3 weeks
Three reviewers score each application against the call's criteria. At least one is independent.
- 4
Shortlist
About 1 week
The highest-scoring applications are shortlisted. Everyone receives the panel's feedback.
- 5
Venture tier
Decided at the end
You're placed as Listed, Qualified or Featured for funding, and your Venture profile goes live.
What you get
Practical help to win and ship export orders.
Verification badge
Your company is checked through aLTlas verification. The badge shows on your profile and listings.
Venture profile
A public profile with your products, capacity and tier, written for buyers and funders.
Desk introductions
The desk introduces you to verified buyers and funders. Contact details stay private until both sides agree.
Trade finance readiness
A checklist of what banks and financiers ask for, and where your file still has gaps.
Free trade tools
Duty lookup, corridor figures and document templates, at no cost while you take part.
Market visibility
Placement in the marketplace and in the sector updates sent to buyers on your routes.
The three Venture tiers
Your tier decides who can see your Venture profile. You can move up in a later call.
Tier 1
Listed
- What it means
- You passed screening. Your Venture profile is live in the incubator directory.
- Who sees it
- Signed-in aLTlas members: buyers, suppliers and service providers.
- How you reach it
- Pass screening through verification.
Tier 2
Qualified
- What it means
- The review panel scored your application above the call's bar.
- Who sees it
- Verified buyers on your routes, and the call's sponsor.
- How you reach it
- Reach the panel's qualifying score.
Tier 3
Featured for funding
- What it means
- You're on the shortlist the desk presents at the investor showcase.
- Who sees it
- Verified, self-certified investors, only through the desk.
- How you reach it
- Be shortlisted by the panel, with a finance-ready file.
Export readiness check
Eight quick questions. Your result is saved.
1Do you already sell your product in your home market?
2Is your business registered?
3Do you have product documents: specs, test reports or a data sheet?
4Could you supply the same order again, month after month?
5Do you have an export price, such as FOB or CIF?
6Do you hold the certificates your product needs, such as food safety or origin?
7Are your packaging and labels ready for export markets?
8Could you fund or finance a first export order?
Sponsor a challenge
Companies, trade agencies and development partners can fund a themed call for the businesses they want to see grow, in any region.
Sponsorship is a fixed fee agreed up front. aLTlas takes no equity and no share of any funds the businesses raise.
Talk to us about sponsoringYour named challenge
A call in your theme, carrying your name, such as packaged food for export or digital tools for small exporters.
Shortlist access
Meet the shortlisted businesses through the desk, before the investor showcase.
An impact report
Applications, tiers reached and introductions made, by country, track and founder group.
Questions
Can't find your answer? Ask the desk
Does it cost anything to apply?
No. Applying is free. If you later choose a paid aLTlas service, such as a verification upgrade, it has a fixed fee shown before you pay.
Who can apply?
Registered businesses that trade goods across borders, or build tools and services for those who do. Each call lists its own sector and criteria.
Which countries can apply from?
Calls are open to traders worldwide unless the call says otherwise. A sponsored call may focus on a region, such as West Africa or South-East Asia.
What does aLTlas never do?
aLTlas never holds your money or an investor's money, never gives investment advice, and never takes equity, a success fee or a share of funds raised. We charge fixed fees only.
Who reviews the applications?
Three reviewers score each application. At least one is independent of aLTlas and of the call's sponsor, and every reviewer declares conflicts of interest.
What if I'm not selected?
You receive the panel's feedback and keep your verification. You can use the free trade tools and apply again in a later call.
How long does it take?
About 12 weeks from the call opening to tier decisions: around 6 weeks open, then screening, panel scoring and the shortlist.
How are investors reached?
Only through the aLTlas desk. Investors must be verified and self-certify that they may invest. The desk makes introductions; it doesn't negotiate, arrange deals or advise either side.
Introducer only
We introduce businesses, buyers and investors. We don't arrange or negotiate deals.
No client money
aLTlas never holds your money or an investor's money.
No investment advice
We don't recommend any business or investment.
A listing is not an offer
A Venture profile or tier is not an offer to buy or sell securities.
aLTlas acts as an introducer and charges fixed fees only. Tiers reflect screening and panel review, not investment merit, and are not a recommendation. Investors are reached only through the aLTlas desk and must be verified and self-certified. Calls, tracks and durations vary by call.