Contact Information
Oasis Center, Loveworld Campground, Asese, Ogun State, Nigeria.- +2347063472561
- sbocustomercare@gmail.com
Build. Grow. Fund. Export.
The BEGIN Business Growth Ecosystem helps African entrepreneurs turn their businesses into compliant, investment ready and export capable enterprises.
Training, AI powered business diagnostics, mentorship, investor access and strategic partnerships, all in one programme.
Why thousands of businesses join BEGIN
Because growing a business is more than having a great product. It requires compliance, strategy, customers, capital, technology, mentorship, export opportunities, business networks and investor confidence - and BEGIN brings all of these together in one integrated ecosystem.
Your path through the BEGIN ecosystem
Every SBO moves through the same nine stages, from first idea to full business growth.
Idea
You have a business idea or an existing venture.
Register
Complete your SBO application on the BEGIN Portal.
Assessment
Get a free AI powered business health check.
Compliance School
Become legally compliant and operationally sound.
Incubation
Sharpen your strategy so customers want you.
Investment Readiness
Prepare your business for investor scrutiny.
Funding
Pitch in the Deal Room for capital and partnerships.
Export
Strengthen packaging, standards and market entry.
Business Growth
Scale with confidence, at home and abroad.
Built for four kinds of builders
Entrepreneurs
- Launch your business the right way
- Build on a compliant foundation
Existing SMEs
- Scale faster
- Become investment ready
- Expand into new markets
Corporate Organizations
- Discover reliable suppliers
- Find innovation partners
- Support local enterprise
Investors
- Access screened, ready businesses
- Reduce investment risk
- Meet high potential founders
More than training
Most programmes stop at workshops. BEGIN goes further.
Every SBO gets a full growth stack built around their business, not a generic curriculum.
See the full ecosystemA free health check for every registered SBO
The assessment looks at seven areas of your business and hands you a clear plan, before you spend a single Espee elsewhere.
Get my free health checkWe evaluate
- Business maturity
- Compliance
- Financial readiness
- Investment readiness
- Digital readiness
- Export readiness
- Leadership
You receive
- Business score
- Personalized growth plan
- Recommended school
- Priority actions
Three faculties, one growth path
Faculty of Compliance
Helping businesses become legally compliant and operationally sound.
Incubation & Strategy Lab
Helping businesses scale sustainably with the right strategy.
Investment & Grant Readiness
Helping businesses attract funding with confidence.
The BEGIN Deal Room
Where the next faith-based success stories are discovered
Every year, selected businesses pitch before investors, development finance institutions and business leaders for funding, strategic partnerships and market opportunities.
Last year's winners secured grants and visibility that accelerated their growth. Could your business be next?
Ready to take your business beyond borders?
BEGIN helps businesses prepare for regional and international markets by strengthening the fundamentals buyers actually check.
Your BEGIN journey doesn't end at the conference
After the conference, participants keep receiving support built for the long run.
Your business deserves more than survival. Build a compliant business, scale with confidence, meet investors, access opportunities, expand into new markets, and become part of Africa's fastest-growing business ecosystem.
Register todayFrequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the BEGIN Programme, registration, and the Required Compliance Documents. Pick a category below.
What is SBO?
SBO stands for Strategic Business Organization, a term coined by LoveWorld LTIF. It is similar to SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in the business space.
What is BEGIN?
BEGIN (Business Expansion Growth Initiative) is a programme designed to help businesses grow. It provides business training, mentorship, networking opportunities, access to funding opportunities, and prepares businesses for investment and expansion.
What is the DealRoom?
The DealRoom is a Business Pitch Competition where qualified businesses present their businesses to investors and funding partners. It provides opportunities to secure funding, partnerships and business support.
What is the SBO Application Process?
The SBO Application Process is designed to assess your business, prepare it for investment opportunities, and determine your eligibility for the DealRoom competition. The application consists of Business Information and Required Compliance Documents. Both sections must be completed successfully.
Do I have to complete the Business Information before accessing the Required Compliance Documents section?
Yes. Business Information must be completed successfully before you can proceed to the Required Compliance Documents section.
How long does it take to complete the application?
It depends on how prepared you are. Applicants who already have all the required information and documents can complete the application much faster.
What happens if I submit incomplete information?
Our customer support team will assist you where necessary.
What is an Enterprise SBO?
An Enterprise SBO is a business or organization officially registered under the LoveWorld ecosystem, such as LoveWorld schools, hospitals, clinics, banks, media organizations, and other registered institutions.
What is a Citizen's SBO?
A Citizen's SBO is a privately owned business operated by a LoveWorld member.
Who is an Investor?
An Investor is an individual or organization interested in funding, partnering with, or investing in businesses participating in the BEGIN Programme.
How do I know which category I belong to?
Choose Enterprise SBO if your organization is officially registered under LoveWorld, Citizen's SBO if you own a private business, or Investor if you are registering to invest in businesses.
What is the registration fee?
- Citizen's SBO - 15 Espees
- Enterprise SBO - 25 Espees
- Investor - 50 Espees
Is payment compulsory?
Yes. Payment must be completed before you can access the Required Compliance Documents section.
Does payment guarantee participation in the DealRoom?
No. Payment gives you access to the BEGIN Programme. Selection for the DealRoom depends on meeting the programme requirements and assessment criteria.
Who can apply for the BEGIN Programme?
Eligible Enterprise SBOs, Citizen's SBOs, and Investors can apply through the BEGIN Website.
Can I attend the DealRoom without participating in the BEGIN Programme?
No. You must participate in the BEGIN Programme and satisfy the programme requirements before you can qualify for the DealRoom.
What happens after I submit my application?
You will receive a confirmation email, and a member of our team may contact you if additional information or clarification is required.
Will every applicant be selected for the DealRoom?
No. Selection depends on successfully meeting the programme requirements and assessment criteria.
I registered last year. Do I need to register again?
Yes. Previous applicants should complete the current registration process and pay the applicable registration fee for this year's programme.
I completed the first section last year but did not complete the Required Compliance Documents. Can I still continue?
No. You would need to start the registration process all over.
When will the DealRoom take place?
The DealRoom is scheduled to hold on the 4th and 5th of September in Ghana.
Can I join if my business is not registered?
The BEGIN Programme is open to legally registered businesses. If your business is not yet registered, our Customer Support Team will guide you on the appropriate registration process in your country and advise you on the next steps before you complete your application.
Can I join from outside Nigeria?
Yes. Businesses registered outside Nigeria are welcome to apply, provided they meet the programme requirements and submit the required business registration documents issued by the appropriate authority in their country.
Can I register more than one business?
Yes. You may register more than one business, provided each business is submitted as a separate application and meets the programme eligibility requirements.
How are businesses selected for the DealRoom?
Businesses are assessed based on their compliance with programme requirements, investment readiness, business viability, growth potential, and successful completion of the BEGIN Programme. Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee selection for the DealRoom.
What happens if I don't qualify for the DealRoom?
If your business is not selected for the DealRoom, you will still benefit from the training, mentorship, business support, and networking opportunities offered through the BEGIN Programme. You may also be considered for future opportunities where applicable.
Can I still benefit if I am not selected for the DealRoom?
Yes. The BEGIN Programme provides participants with business development training, compliance guidance, mentorship, investment readiness support, and access to valuable business networks, regardless of DealRoom selection.
How do investors choose businesses?
Investors make independent decisions based on factors such as the business model, market opportunity, financial readiness, scalability, management team, and alignment with their investment objectives.
Will I receive mentoring?
Yes. Participants will receive guidance, mentorship, and support from experienced facilitators and industry experts throughout the BEGIN Programme to help strengthen their businesses and improve investment readiness.
What information is required in Business Information?
- Personal Information
- Business Information
- Business LinkedIn
- Business Ownership Details
- Shareholding Information (for Limited Liability Companies)
- Business Sector
- Business Description
- Application Category
What should I include in my Business Description?
- What your business does
- Products or services
- Your target customers
- The problem you solve
- How you make money
- Your achievements
- Your future plans
What if I do not have a Business LinkedIn page?
You may leave the field blank if you do not have one.
What is meant by Shareholding Structure?
This refers to the percentage ownership of each shareholder in a Limited Liability Company. Business Names can ignore this field.
What are Required Compliance Documents?
These are the documents and business information required to assess your business and determine its investment readiness.
How many sections are in the Required Compliance Documents?
- Business Overview
- Market & Competition
- Support & Partnerships
- Financial Readiness
- Governance & Legal
What documents should I prepare before starting?
- Business Registration Document
- Pitch Deck
- Business Introduction Video
- Customer Testimonials
- Tax Clearance Certificate
- Audited Financial Accounts
- Board or Management Structure
- Organisational Chart
- Legal Contracts (where applicable)
Are all uploads mandatory?
No. Some uploads are compulsory, while others are optional or only required if applicable to your business.
What file size is allowed?
The maximum upload size is 25MB per document unless otherwise stated.
What qualifies as a customer testimonial?
- Recommendation Letters
- Reference Letters
- Customer Reviews
- Written Feedback
Where possible, include the customer's name, email address, and business name.
What should be included in the funding requirement section?
- Amount required
- Purpose of the funding
- Expected outcome
- Return on Investment (ROI), where applicable
What is a Pitch Deck?
A Pitch Deck is a presentation that explains your business, including Problem & Solution, Market Opportunity, Business Model, Traction, Team, Financials and Funding Needs.
What should be included in the 2-minute business video?
- Your business
- The problem you solve
- Your products or services
- Your target market
- Your achievements
- Your future plans
Can I save my application and continue later?
Yes. The BEGIN Portal allows you to save your progress and continue your application later.
Will I receive a payment confirmation?
Yes. A payment confirmation email will be sent after successful payment.
Will I receive confirmation after completing my application?
Yes. A registration completion email will be sent after you successfully submit all the Required Compliance Documents.
My business has never received a grant. Can I still apply?
Yes. Receiving a grant is not a requirement.
My business has never attended an incubation program. Can I still apply?
Yes. Previous participation in an incubation or accelerator program is not compulsory.
What if I do not have business partners?
Simply indicate that you do not currently have any business partners.
What if I do not have patents or trademarks?
Simply indicate that you do not currently have any registered intellectual property.
What if I do not have a board of directors?
Provide details of your existing management or leadership structure instead.
Are bank statements required?
No. Bank statements are no longer required as part of the current application documents.
Are audited financial statements required?
Yes. Applicants should upload their audited financial accounts for the last 3 years where available.
Do I need legal contracts?
Only if applicable. If you have contracts with suppliers, partners, or clients, indicate Yes and upload your top three contracts.
Can I update my application after submission?
Please contact the SBO Support Team if you need to make corrections after submitting your application.
Still have questions?
Our support team is ready to assist you throughout the application process.
Register today and take the next step in your business growth journey.
Join Africa's fastest growing business ecosystem, built for compliance, capital and export.
Register NowQuestions? Email us at sbocustomercare@lwcommerce.org