Ian Greig MBA

Consultant

Contracts nerd | Specialist in B2B consultancy, coaching + creative services | Founder @ New Legal + Ingenuity Club

I help UK and international professionals and SMEs in the tech, knowledge and health space run their businesses like top 1% companies with modern legal docs and compliance, with the help of our financial, tax and growth advisory partners. The goal is simple:

✅ Less stress
✅ More time
✅ More profit


Since 2022, the team at New Legal have been keeping modern professionals, directors, advisors, SMEs and their shareholders safe, compliant and financially sound with simple and robust contracts, contracting processes & compliance solutions, and holistic business advice via partners.

Message me if you’re a professional businessperson who wants to work smarter, scale faster and earn more, all while protecting your assets.

Or join our circle of partners advising high-growth and unique SMEs: via New, we connect exceptional professionals to clients worldwide — a global network powered by our shared infrastructure.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Ciao ciao!

Ian

new-legal.com

Consultant, Director, Founder, Advisor

Abaz Ibekwe is a Corporate leader ,dealmaker ,Business development expert and Thought leader.
I have a combination of African, English and German culture and upbringing through education, traveling and networking.
My curiosity for the fast evolving global economy led my sojourn to become an ''Expert Generalist" ,studying and building expertise in many different disciplines, industries, skills and topics .
Over the past years, i have built companies, functioned in different capacities, worked, networked and built relationships locally and internationally in diverse sectors including; Finance and Investment, Technology, Media and global branding ,Electric mobility, Blockchain and crypto ecosystem.

These experience has helped developed my undying love for business development, dealmaking and corporate management.
I have helped some international brands explore various opportunities in African market and also help expose our local brands to global market and potentials through strategic partnership, top-tier media visibility and global branding.

I have worked with several SMEs in Africa, drafting a roadmap and strategic plans for product development, business structuring, customers and clients acquisition and fundraising .

My experience in Security and equity trading has helped developed my research and analysis skills, critical thinking, detailing and swift execution.
This also built my risk planning and mitigation skills which has helped me maximize the role of probabilities in business.
I never run out of ideas when it comes to launching new ventures, scaling and positioning for growth and profitability..

Abaz ibekwe is the finalist of 2018 Solvers league challenge ,a fellow at youngstars foundation and Alumnus of USPF changemakers challenge.
The Founding and managing partner of Metrocapital,co-founder of RocketMedia and other micro projects.
He is an eternal optimist, visionary and globalization evangelist.


KEY SKILLS
Leadership||Dealmaking||Critical thinking||
Product management||Detailing||Research& Analysis
Business development||Global Branding||Capital raising
Deal sourcing||Strategy Development &Execution

Abaz Ibekwe

$300K–$1.5M Funding Opportunity for Sustainable Agriculture & Inclusive Value Chains
The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) has opened its 28th Call for Proposals, inviting organizations working in agriculture and commodity value chains to apply for funding between USD 300,000 and USD 1.5 million.

This funding window is aimed at projects that improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, strengthen climate resilience, and build sustainable, inclusive commodity ecosystems across developing economies. Selected projects must demonstrate strong commercial viability alongside measurable social and environmental impact?

Who is eligible to apply?
Applications are open to SMEs, cooperatives, NGOs, social enterprises, and public or private institutions that:
Operate in any of CFC’s 101 member countries
Have at least three years of active operations
Are implementing projects that increase farmer incomes and drive local economic growth

Key focus areas include:
Linking smallholder farmers to international markets through innovative trade finance solutions
Promoting regenerative farming methods and protecting biodiversity
Supporting local processing and value addition with minimal environmental footprint
Deploying agri-tech and digital platforms for more transparent and inclusive supply chains
Expanding access to finance for farmers and rural enterprises
Advancing women-led businesses and gender-inclusive agricultural models
Additional priority will be given to:
Initiatives that promote sustainable forest management in the Congo Basin
Projects based in or targeting Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States

🗓 Application deadline: 1 April 2026
Submissions must be made in English.
If your organisation is building solutions across agriculture, sustainability, finance, and inclusive development, this is a strong opportunity to scale your impact and strengthen value chains that truly serve farming communities.
Need support preparing a winning application?
At TechField Africa, our Grant Formula program helps African founders and organisations identify the right grants, refine proposals, manage submissions, and increase their chances of securing funding.
Schedule a quick chat here with the team
https://lnkd.in/d2tqeBCR

Reach out to Techfied Africa to get expert grant support and position your project for success.
Please share this with partners and networks who may benefit. Let’s support agricultural systems that protect our environment while creating shared prosperity.

✅Bridging The GAP between INNOVATORS & INVESTORS in Africa|✅Connecting Africa Startups To Global Opportunities ✅ Accelerating Global Trade and investment in Africa ✅AI Governace and Regulation.

How Venture philanthropic Organizations are deploying millions of dollars to impact and social enterprises in Africa.

Foundations are quietly moving millions into high-impact work. Venture philanthropy is quickly emerging as a key remedy to the slowdown in traditional venture capital flowing into Africa. Yet, the reality is that very few operators are actively working with impact founders and social enterprises, helping them structure, position, and prepare to tap into this alternative source of capital.

Here are top Phylantropic organizations we can help you unlock capital from to scale your innovation accross healthcare,education,climate and sustainability and agriculture.


Argidius Foundation – Part of Porticus, Argidius addresses poverty through enterprise development. https://lnkd.in/d-WJVz2D 

Azurit Foundation gGmbH – Improves lives by funding solutions that generate skills, income and access to knowledge. https://lnkd.in/dgz_E4HB 

Beit Trust – Funds education, health, and infrastructure in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. https://beittrust.org.uk/ 

Fondation Daniel et Nina Carasso – Supports sustainable food systems and social inclusion. https://lnkd.in/dtpCv5Dq 

Echidna Giving – Major dedicated funder for girls’ education globally. https://echidnagiving.org/ 

The Egmont Trust – Support for grassroots child & family wellbeing in East/Southern Africa.  

ENLIGHT FOUNDATION – Focuses on education equality and youth empowerment.
 
Fondation Segré – Focused on conserving threatened species and restoring degraded ecosystems. 
 
Hempel Foundation – Strong multi-million commitments in education, biodiversity, and social initiatives. 

LUCILLE FOUNDATION – Provides grants to address inequality, environmental restoration, and thriving communities. https://lnkd.in/dX5pznrS 

THE MONARCH FOUNDATION – Focused on eradicating child poverty and addressing the climate crisis. 

NETRI Foundation – Focused on ending extreme poverty via health, education, and agriculture. 

Pousaz Philanthropies – Strategic investor in safe, inclusive education and youth empowerment. 

Resilience Fund for Women in Global Value Chains – Pooled multi-donor capital for gender-responsive economic resilience. 

Sall Family Foundation – Supports community driven solutions for the environment, public health and poverty reduction.  

Tarsadia Foundation – Supports partners working to unleash human potential via economic opportunity, education, and health equity. 

At Techfied Africa, we bridge this gap by helping impact-driven founders and social enterprises access alternative capital. Through our Grant Support Service, we prepare proposals, manage applications, and connect ventures to the right funding, ensuring high-potential impact projects aren’t left behind in the global shift toward meaningful investment.
Kindly schedule a meeting here to explore how we can help you unlock grant funding in 2026 https://lnkd.in/dYErh8pr

🌟Grants of $10,000–$40,000 USD to safeguard our forests.


 Forests are disappearing faster than we realize — and with them, livelihoods, biodiversity, climate stability, and the future of entire communities.

Across Africa and the world, deforestation is no longer just an environmental issue. It is a development challenge, a climate crisis, and a threat to food security, water systems, and sustainable growth. The good news? Data, technology, and the right funding can help change this story.

Applications for the 2026 #SmallGrantsFund are now open. This program supports projects that turn forest data into real action using Global Forest Watch Watch tools,helping organizations monitor forests, prevent illegal deforestation, protect ecosystems, and drive measurable impact on the ground.

💰 Grants of $10,000–$40,000 USD
⏳ 12-month project support
🤖 Selected grantees will also test @Global Nature Watch, a new experimental AI-powered land monitoring system

📅 Deadline: February 6, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
🌐 Applications accepted in English, Spanish, and French
👤 One point-person with working proficiency in English required

Apply here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eipmEWCJ
Join the applicant webinar (Jan 27) 👉 https://lnkd.in/eU72MwEM


At Techfield Africa, we work with startups, social enterprises, and NGOs across Africa to access grants and impact funding, strengthen project design, refine proposals, and connect with the right donors and funding partners.

If you are building a solution in climate, forestry, sustainability, conservation, or environmental technology — this funding could be a strong fit.

For entrepreneurs and organizations interested in this Global Forest Grant:
📩 Send us a DM to learn how we can support your application
OR
📧 Send an official email with subject: Global Forest Grant to
• info.techfield@gmail.com
• talk2abaz@gmail.com

For support on other funding opportunities , including donor research, grant writing, grant review, and impact funding strategy — kindly schedule a quick chat here:
👉 https://lnkd.in/d2tqeBCR

⚠️ Please note: our calendar is currently fully booked until mid-February. Early booking is encouraged.

Let’s protect our forests, empower our communities, and turn bold climate ideas into funded impact. 🌱

🌟With over s$3,000,000 in pilot funding and support, including from Hexagon Group, SOIC 7th Edition offers a unique platform for solution providers to gain access to industry networks, mentorship, and opportunities to validate their ideas in real-world environments.

Through the #MainTrack, corporates are actively seeking solutions to clearly defined sustainability problems, with opportunities including pilot funding, commercial trials, and in-kind support for successful innovators.
The #DiscoveryTrack is designed for breakthrough and emerging technologies. Innovators selected can access market entry support, co-development opportunities, and long-term corporate partnerships, with selected applications also eligible for the S$100,000 Hexagon Group AG prize.


🌍 Key Focus Areas Climate Change | Renewable Energy | Green Buildings | Offshore Wind | Sustainable Agriculture & Agrifood | Greener Industries | Sustainable Materials


🗓 Applications close:
Friday, 30 January 2026 (11:59 PM GMT+8)


At TechField Africa , we are working closely with some of the best innovators across Africa and emerging markets—helping them refine their positioning, strengthen investment readiness, and access grant funding, corporate-backed innovation programmes, and global sustainability capital.
If you’re building solutions for a greener future, this is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss.

Schedule a quick chat here:
https://lnkd.in/d2tqeBCR

Sustainable Innovation Funding 

Welcome to 2026.

We are still on our bold mission of unlocking venture opportunities for African founders and beyond.

Last year, we spoke with 1,000+ founders, built a database of 1,000+ funding opportunities, and directly supported 56 founders through grant writing, accelerator applications, investment readiness, and startup advisory.

This year, we are expanding our support into the MENA region and European markets, while continuing to unlock venture and philanthropic opportunities for African founders.

And here’s our first opportunity of 2026 — specifically for SMEs in Rwanda 🇷🇼.
👉 Kindly tag all founders from Rwanda who should see this.


SME Support Scheme for Rwandan Businesses (2nd Round Open)

Applications are now open for the 2nd round of the SME Support Scheme, implemented by sequa gGmbH, designed to help growth-oriented SMEs scale, improve productivity, and compete in both local and international markets.

There is a strong focus on:

Women-led and women-owned businesses

Green economy businesses with real potential for job creation



What Selected SMEs Will Receive

This program offers practical, hands-on support, not theory:

✅ Executive coaching
Build leadership capacity and decision-making skills for growth.

✅ Expert technical support
Tailored support across:

Product and service quality

Business diversification

Market expansion

Access to finance


✅ Machinery & equipment support
Cost-sharing opportunities to upgrade operational capacity.

✅ Peer learning & training
Learn alongside other ambitious founders and operators.


🔍 Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is for ambitious SMEs that can realistically create 20+ decent jobs within the next 12 months.

Eligible sectors:

Secondary sector: Manufacturing & processing

Tertiary sector: Services


Businesses contributing to a green transformation — through environmentally friendly products, services, processes, or business models — are strongly encouraged.

Women-owned and women-led businesses are also highly encouraged to apply.


📌 Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, SMEs must:

Be legally registered

Have at least 2 years of operations

Provide (audited) financial statements

Be profitable, with a minimum turnover of 80M RWF in 2025

Show clear readiness for investment, growth, and expansion

⏰ How to Apply

📝 Fill out the expression of interest questionnaire by 15 February 2026
👉 https://lnkd.in/eGc2pfFV

📧 Questions? Reach out via: applications.rwanda@sequa.de


🤝 About the Program

The SME Support Scheme is supported by the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition” of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented by GIZ Rwanda-Burundi, alongside other partners.

Stay connected for more opportunities.
Need Grant support?
Schedule a quick call here:
https://lnkd.in/dfJMfEe9

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Ian Greig MBA

Abaz Ibekwe

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The Battle

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Abaz Ibekwe

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Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Abaz Ibekwe's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreAbaz Ibekwe's LinkedIn Performance