GrowthAfrica in Kenya

Introduction to GrowthAfrica – the background, impact, activities and how GrowthAfrica supports entrepreneurs and partners in Kenya.

GrowthAfrica offers a leading business accelerator programme for Startups and Enterprises in Kenya. The business venture programme promotes entrepreneurship in Kenya by providing entrepreneurs an intensive business accelerator programme. The programme offers activities and strategic advice on pivoting in finance, funding, effective marketing, driving sales, and investment readiness.

In addition to this, it also provides Kenyan founders opportunities to scale and grow their business by networking with various experts regionally in Africa. Entrepreneurs grow through connections with a business network of mentors, experts and helping them attain investor readiness, introducing them to investors who can accelerate their business and provide business capital.

GrowthAfrica in Kenya goes beyond being a Startup support programme or providing capital for Startups and enterprises. We are dedicated to growing Africa through impacting ventures and businesses, delivering sustainable jobs and economic progress across Africa.

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About GrowthAfrica

GrowthAfrica in Kenya

Introduction to GrowthAfrica – the background, impact, activities and how GrowthAfrica supports entrepreneurs and partners in Kenya.

In 2012, GrowthAfrica launched its first impact business accelerator, “The GrowthHub”, in Nairobi, Kenya. It purposed to The programme provides acceleration activities, strategic advice, and investment readiness.

In partnership with Bestseller Fund, the second program in 2013 to 2014 combined ideation, incubator, and accelerator components.

We realised our efforts are more effective with entrepreneurs who have commercialised their first product or services. GrowthAfrica then moved to focus on “post-revenue” acceleration on the startup side of the business.

The GrowthAfrica team continues to help alongside sage advice and focus further shift to connecting you with the resources necessary for the effective implementation of your growth plan.

GrowthAfrica, a growth partner for Kenyan SMEs

GrowthAfrica has been in the enterprise development space in Kenya for 19 years. Focusing on sector agnostic companies has allowed us to have a wealth of knowledge and insights with the biggest impact being on agribusiness companies in Kenya.

The team in Nairobi is well equipped to run the acceleration programme. We always ensure that the activities we deliver are relevant to the local context in Kenya.

As we continue to grow and expand our resources to serve more Kenyan entrepreneurs, the valuable lessons we gather are a great resource in enabling the entrepreneurs grow regionally and continentally

13
Accelerator programme history Business cohorts accelerated in Kenya since 2012
135
Ventures accelerated Kenyan businesses who have completed the programme
242
Number of entrepreneurs Individual entrepreneurs who have gone through the programme in Kenya
37%
Female entrepreneurs Kenyan female entrepreneurs whose businesses have been accelerated

Illustrating impact in Kenya

World class business acceleration delivered and anchored in Kenya

Ventures per country


200+

Mentors and speakers

2.200+

Applications received

300+

Investors in database

20+

Industries covered

0 Entrepreneurs
281 Male
126 Female

GrowthAfrica Accelerator activities in Kenya

In Venture Support

In Venture support is a key part of the programme. Venture visits are organised at specific times to check in on the Kenyan ventures, conduct veri diligence and offer support.

Bootcamps

The Visioning bootcamp introduces entrepreneurs to the programme by guiding them to build their long-medium and short term vision. The Actioning bootcamp guides the entrepreneurs in creating a concrete implementation action plan.

Gap Labs

During the first 6 months of the programme, the entrepreneurs go through a series of 5 gap labs that guide them through analysing specific aspects of their business.

Masterclasses

The masterclasses are also opened up to other entrepreneurs who are not in the programme giving them access to the knowledge and network.

Hyena's Den

The Hyena's Den gives Kenyan entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their businesses in front of potential investors and network with potential partners.

Gazelle Forum

The Gazelle Forum is an annual one day stakeholder event that facilitates conversations among entrepreneurs, investors, strategic partners and capital providers.

Stories of Kenyan Ventures

Meet the entrepreneurs from Silicon Savanna (Kenya)

GrowthAfrica’s 2021 Kenyan cohort spans across an Extended Reality (XR) agency to Fashion ventures.These are the 20 top Kenyan entrepreneurs participating in our leading Accelerator Programme;

Disrupting the agriculture sector, one insect at a time

Talash Huijbers, the founder of Insectipro, is a believer that food guides our lives, day in and day out. Talash identified a critical insight about farming: most farmers fall under the bracket of low-income families. She founded Insectipro in November 2018 to create agricultural and financial sustainability for farmers.

Bu.Ke Brands Kenya

Lucy King'ori was in search of effective eczema treatment for her son, and founded #BUKEBrands in 2017, an artisan hair & skincare brand that creates restorative experiences with their wide variety of safe and affordable products made from natural ingredients.

Our ventures & entrepreneurs

Meet the entrepreneurs and ventures we have worked with.
Get to know the resourceful network of alumnis that you could join.

The GrowthAfrica team provided hands-on support and worked with us through our business and strategy whilst connecting us with investors when the time was right and our business was ready.

Catherine Mahugu Founder, Soko

Kenya team

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Jemima Karugu
Head of Talent and Human Capital

jwk@growthafrica.com
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Duncan Asila
Growth Catalyst

das@growthafrica.com
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Maureen Wachira
Growth Associate

mwa@growthafrica.com
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Linda Mathenge
Project Catalyst

lmm@growthafrica.com
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Let's Talk

How can we work together? How can we jointly develop more successful Kenyan businesses which create jobs and economic progress - while delivering impactful and financial returns to investors?

Martin Kiilu Head of Advisory mku@growthafrica.com

Get in touch

Africa map

Lenana Towers, 5th floor
Lenana Road
P.O. Box 17726 – 00100 GPO
Nairobi, Kenya