Expertise

Business Development Services and Enterprise Incubation

Practical diagnosis, training, coaching, finance readiness and market support that help MSMEs become formal, investable and ready to grow.

A Tanzanian nutrition entrepreneur presenting packaged VAAP Unga Lishe products during enterprise support

IMED helps micro, small and medium enterprises improve how they operate, access finance and reach markets. We begin with evidence about each business, then combine practical training with one-to-one coaching and market support. Clients can appoint IMED to support one enterprise or deliver a structured programme across a large portfolio.

A connected approach

How IMED moves work forward

01Research
02Design
03Deliver
04Measure
05Strengthen
06Influence

Who this service is for

This service is designed for funds, development programmes, corporations, financial institutions and public agencies that need a capable delivery partner for entrepreneurs, youth, women and growing MSMEs.

Business development services

Enterprise diagnostics and capacity-needs assessments
Entrepreneurship and business-management training in English or Kiswahili
Structured coaching and mentorship for individual enterprises
Business models, business plans and investment-readiness support
Financial literacy, record keeping and financial-management support
Formalisation, licensing, certification and regulatory-compliance support
Market linkage, buyer matching and value-chain integration
Access-to-finance support and linkage to banks, funds and guarantee schemes

Incubation and acceleration support

Design, establishment and operation of business incubators and accelerators
Training for incubator managers, trainers and business advisers
Seed-fund and grant-challenge design, assessment and disbursement support
Digital training and mentorship through the IMED Business Hub

How IMED delivers

The work starts with diagnosis rather than a standard curriculum. IMED then combines group learning, enterprise-level coaching, practical tools, progress tracking and clear reporting. This approach helps participants apply what they learn to real decisions in their businesses.

Relevant experience

IMED has completed 19 recorded assignments in this practice area. The portfolio includes clean-cooking enterprises, agribusiness value chains, women-led nutrition businesses, solar-product distributors, business incubators and training for women entrepreneurs and smallholder producers in Tanzania and the wider region.

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers about this service.

Open a question to learn more about scope, delivery and suitability.

01What are business development services?

Business development services help enterprises improve management, finance, compliance, market access and growth. IMED combines assessment, training, coaching and practical linkage support instead of treating training as a stand-alone activity.

02Does IMED support start-ups and existing businesses?

Yes. IMED supports aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage businesses and established MSMEs. The exact support depends on the enterprise's current capacity, market and growth objective.

03Can IMED deliver enterprise support outside Dar es Salaam?

Yes. IMED has delivered enterprise programmes across Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar and has worked in nine other countries. Delivery can be organised for one location or across several regions.

04Does the service include access-to-finance support?

Yes. IMED helps enterprises strengthen financial records, prepare business plans and investment documents, understand funding requirements and connect with suitable banks, funds or guarantee schemes.

05Can IMED establish or manage a business incubator?

Yes. IMED can design an incubator model, prepare its business plan, train managers and advisers, support entrepreneur selection and operate incubation or acceleration activities.

What we have delivered