Nairobi, Friday, November 8, 2024. The Kenya Climate Innovation Center’s (KCIC) GreenBiz programme recently wrapped up an intensive three-day mentorship bootcamp for entrepreneurs in its third Incubation cohort. This milestone concludes a rigorous ten-month mentorship journey for 50 entrepreneurs, each paired with an industry mentor to guide them through key business challenges and decisions. This mentorship component complements GreenBiz’s comprehensive support suite, which includes business advisory, financial access, and technical assistance services.
Reflecting on the program’s evolution, Christine Mbaabu, the GreenBiz Programme Manager, remarked, “Mentors have helped us pinpoint critical capacity gaps during their engagement with entrepreneurs. This bootcamp was designed to address these gaps, and we’re confident the thematic focus areas will propel them to new heights.”
The mentorship bootcamp aims to empower business leaders by enhancing growth, strengthening market connections, advancing technical competencies, and improving financial outcomes. It began with an in-depth session on carbon credits, covering market dynamics, project types, verification processes, and sector-specific opportunities. This session helped entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of carbon offsets, potentially unlocking new revenue channels.
The bootcamp also provided a comprehensive Communication and Marketing session, addressing customer personas, persuasion tactics, brand storytelling, pitching skills, and digital media strategies. On the second day, Eunice Muriuki led a discussion on human resources, underscoring the importance of building mission-driven teams. This was followed by practical guidance on navigating Kenya’s regulatory environment, which addressed the challenges of compliance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
James Nyaga, Director of Majipopote, a water management enterprise, praised the program’s impact, stating, “KCIC’s hands-on approach has been transformative. They’ve been instrumental in ensuring we achieve our milestones. However, there’s a pressing need for increased funding in our sector, as water management ventures are often capital-intensive.” His insights highlight the program’s positive influence while also advocating for expanded financial support—an ongoing challenge for many SMEs.
Interactive, sector-specific discussions encouraged participants to share experiences and collaborate on practical solutions. On the final day, hands-on sessions focused on proposal writing and strategic planning, two essential skills for business sustainability and growth. These sessions were particularly timely, given the entrepreneurs’ imminent graduation from incubation and their upcoming efforts to secure financing. Attendees included notable enterprises like Harcourt Limited, Vaber Limited, Sandalwood Growers, Mazao Extra, Horizon Business Ventures, RHEA Soils, Lakegen Enterprises, Barry Art and Design Studio, and Volstone Company, among others.
Aaron Cheruiyot, founder of Green Riru, shared his experience: “The mentorship program has been a game-changer. KCIC even supported my participation in an industry event in Cameroon, which expanded my knowledge and network.” This illustrates the program’s focus on fostering direct, tailored interactions between participants and industry experts.
Felix Magaju, Director of Client Services at KCIC, encouraged participants to make the most of the program’s resources and networks. “The business support and connections available here should give you a strategic advantage as you grow your ventures,” he noted, emphasizing the program’s role in building a competitive edge.
As the cohort prepares to exit in December, this final bootcamp marks a pivotal point in their journey, equipping them with the skills and connections to thrive beyond incubation. KCIC reaffirms its commitment to supporting these entrepreneurs as they apply their knowledge, expand their innovations, and contribute to sustainable growth in Kenya’s green economy.
The GreenBiz programme is supported by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), and aims at accelerating commercialisation and scale up of climate enterprises in the country.
