GrowthAfrica offers SMEs chance to grab share of Sh12 million in capital

GrowthAfrica, a Nairobi-based impact business accelerator, has partnered with Hivos, Impact Amplifier and VC4Africa to offer a comprehensive accelerator programme aimed at supporting early stage Kenyan enterprises.

Among the benefits SMEs stand to gain from the programme, dubbed the Green Pioneer Accelerator Programme, are innovative ecofriendly solutions, green technologies, alternative energy products, ecological housing products, and sustainable agriculture and water management technologies to grow and scale up their efforts.

The deadline for applications is December 1. Interested entrepreneurs should send in their proposals through programme partner VC4Africa on https://vc4africa.biz/hivos/2015-green-cohort-kenya/

The 16-week acceleration programme begins on January 15, and at the end of it, Hivos, an international development organisation, will make 100,000 euro (Sh11.2 million) in financial capital available to the best companies.

Once accepted into the programme, 10 to 12 SME owners and business executives running ecologically innovative businesses in Kenya will be taken through a unique combination of facilitated learning by experienced facilitators, and mentoring by some of Africa’s most experienced entrepreneurs, C-suite executives and technical specialists.

Green innovations

Asked about why Hivos initiated this collaboration, Programme Manager Leo Soldaat said: “Hivos is very concerned about the environment. We see many problems such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and degradation of soils. To address these issues, Hivos wants to co-create private sector-driven green innovations.

“We continue to support green pioneers working to tackle these constraints by positioning them for growth and improving their access to capital. We see the Green Pioneer Accelerator Programme as an important next step in developing ventures in these markets, further extending our work into these areas.”

GrowthAfrica Managing Director Patricia Jumi added: “This is a great opportunity for Kenyan entrepreneurs to learn how to build a case for investment and be exposed to a network of over 100 local and international investors, as well as receive investment.”

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GrowthAfrica Hivos