ScaleUp Bolivia | PD LAPAZ FY26 02

ScaleUp Bolivia (PD LAPAZ FY26 02) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is ScaleUp Bolivia?

ScaleUp Bolivia is a U.S. Mission to Bolivia funding opportunity designed to help move small, informal businesses in Bolivia into the formal economy through training, hands-on formalization support, and connections to U.S. commercial partners.

2) Who is offering this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Mission to Bolivia, with anticipated hands-on involvement from the U.S. Embassy in La Paz during implementation.

3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PD LAPAZ FY26 02.

4) What is the official title of the opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "ScaleUp Bolivia."

5) What type of award will be used?

This award is expected to be issued as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, which means the U.S. Embassy in La Paz anticipates being actively involved during implementation.

6) How much funding is available?

The award ceiling is $40,000.

7) How many awards are expected?

One award is expected.

8) When is the application deadline?

The listed application deadline is 2026-07-15.

9) What is the CFDA number and category?

The opportunity is under CFDA 19.040 and is categorized under Business and Commerce.

10) What problem is the program trying to solve?

The program addresses the challenge that Bolivia has one of the largest informal economies in Latin America. Many entrepreneurs operate unregistered micro and small businesses and, because they are informal, often cannot access credit, legal protections, or larger growth opportunities, and may struggle to adopt modern business practices and technologies.

11) Who is the primary audience or intended beneficiaries?

The primary audience includes informal entrepreneurs who are ready to legitimize their businesses, as well as micro and small business owners who do not understand formalization requirements or face barriers such as limited information, capital, and professional networks.

12) What is the overall goal of ScaleUp Bolivia?

The overall goal is to transition 100 informal Bolivian businesses into the formal economy within 12 months.

13) How long is the program timeline for achieving results?

The opportunity is time-bound, with expected results within a 12-month period.

14) What are the three core objectives of the program?

The program is organized around three core objectives: (1) business formalization and education, (2) U.S. commercial partnerships, and (3) institutional collaboration and measurable economic impact.

15) What does Objective 1 include?

Objective 1 focuses on business formalization and education by enrolling 100 informal entrepreneurs in entrepreneurship training through the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative and formalizing at least 40 businesses within 12 months. It includes practical support for business registration, tax compliance, permits, and improved financial management, with an emphasis on using U.S.-based tools where appropriate.

16) What does Objective 2 include?

Objective 2 targets U.S. commercial partnerships by creating commercial relationships between at least 20 newly formalized Bolivian businesses and U.S. suppliers or technology providers within 12 months, with the expectation of purchases of American products and services and expanded U.S. market reach.

17) What does Objective 3 include?

Objective 3 emphasizes institutional collaboration and measurable economic impact. It includes partnering with Bolivia's tax authority, municipal governments, chambers of commerce, and U.S. fintech companies to make formalization easier, increase local tax revenue, create 150 formal jobs, and establish a peer network of 50 entrepreneurs that continues beyond the program period.

18) What results are expected by the end of 12 months?

Expected results include formalizing at least 15 businesses per city (implying multiple cities), linking at least 20 newly formalized businesses to U.S. suppliers or service providers, increasing municipal tax revenue through higher compliance, and leaving behind a functioning peer support network of formalized entrepreneurs.

19) Does the program operate in multiple cities?

Yes. The expected results reference formalizing at least 15 businesses per city, which implies a multi-city model.

20) What kinds of businesses does the opportunity focus on?

The opportunity is built around informal micro and small businesses commonly found in everyday sectors such as retail, food services, construction, and personal services.

21) What barriers to formalization does the program aim to address?

The program is designed for entrepreneurs who may face barriers such as limited information, limited capital, and limited professional networks, and who may not understand formalization requirements.

22) What support will entrepreneurs receive to formalize?

The approach combines entrepreneurship education, hands-on guidance through the formalization process, and practical support related to registration, tax compliance, permits, and improved financial management.

23) What is the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative and how is it used here?

Within this opportunity, it is the platform or initiative through which 100 informal entrepreneurs are expected to be enrolled for entrepreneurship training under Objective 1.

24) How does this program connect Bolivian businesses with U.S. companies?

The program includes structured connections intended to create commercial relationships between at least 20 newly formalized Bolivian businesses and U.S. suppliers or technology providers, including American providers of financial management and digital solutions.

25) Why does the opportunity emphasize U.S. products, services, and tools?

The opportunity frames formalization as supporting U.S. commercial interests by expanding the customer base for U.S. products and services, creating more reliable supply chain partners, and opening markets for American technology providers, including financial management and digital solutions.

26) What community or governance benefits are associated with formalization in this opportunity?

The opportunity frames formalization as beneficial for Bolivian communities and governance by strengthening the rule of law, supporting fairer competition, and increasing municipal tax revenue through higher compliance.

27) What is meant by a "pipeline" approach in this program?

The program is intended to create a pipeline in which entrepreneurs gain skills, complete formalization steps, adopt improved financial and operational practices, and then develop concrete commercial relationships that connect them into broader markets and supply chains.

28) What role will the U.S. Embassy in La Paz play during implementation?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, the Embassy anticipates hands-on involvement. This may include reviewing and approving how participants are recruited and selected, weighing in on key themes and speakers, providing guidance on foreign policy and public diplomacy messaging, reviewing branding and outreach materials, participating in selected events, and monitoring performance throughout the period of performance.

29) What responsibilities will the recipient organization have?

The recipient is expected to run day-to-day operations, including designing and implementing activities according to the approved proposal and budget, handling logistics and outreach, securing qualified trainers and partners, ensuring technical quality and alignment with the Notice of Funding Opportunity, tracking engagement and results, and submitting required financial and program reports.

30) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs), public and private educational institutions, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.

31) Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary funding opportunity.

32) What kinds of partners are expected or encouraged under the program design?

The opportunity emphasizes collaboration with Bolivia's tax authority, municipal governments, chambers of commerce, and U.S. fintech companies as part of making formalization easier and producing measurable economic impact.

33) What job creation outcome is the program aiming for?

The program includes an expected outcome of creating 150 formal jobs.

34) What peer or alumni network outcome is the program aiming for?

The program aims to establish a peer network of 50 entrepreneurs that can continue supporting one another and maintain engagement with U.S. business partners after the program ends.

35) What is the minimum formalization outcome referenced for cities?

The expected results include formalizing at least 15 businesses per city within 12 months.

36) What is the minimum number of businesses expected to be formally registered within 12 months under Objective 1?

Objective 1 includes formalizing at least 40 businesses within 12 months.

37) What is the minimum number of entrepreneurs expected to be enrolled in training?

The program targets enrollment of 100 informal entrepreneurs in entrepreneurship training.

38) What is the minimum number of U.S. commercial linkages expected?

The program targets commercial relationships between at least 20 newly formalized Bolivian businesses and U.S. suppliers or technology providers within 12 months.

39) Does the opportunity mention specific types of U.S. technology providers?

Yes. It specifically mentions American technology providers, including financial management and digital solutions, and also references U.S. fintech companies under institutional collaboration.

40) What makes this opportunity different from a standard grant?

The key distinction highlighted is the cooperative agreement structure, which anticipates substantial involvement from the U.S. Embassy in La Paz in areas like participant recruitment and selection, messaging guidance, branding review, event participation, and ongoing performance monitoring.