UK’s 2nd business innovation challenge in Kenya to grant £500,000 for 5 winners

The UK launched the second round of a business innovation challenge fund that will see an additional five promising businesses receive grant funding and technical assistance of up to KES 13,000,000 (£100,000) each.

The call for proposals will seek to support initiatives that are innovative, sustainable and with the potential to stimulate job creation.

The funding made available through the Kenya Catalytic Jobs Fund, will focus on three thematic areas; namely agriculture and manufacturing; the informal sector; and people in marginalized groups and areas.

The first call for proposals was launched in April 2019 and saw five successful businesses receive awards, namely: TakaTaka Solutions; Ten Senses Africa; Lynk Jobs Limited; Savanna Circuit Technologies Limited; and BuildHer

Supported by UKAid, the Kenya Catalytic Jobs Fund is a KES 650 million (£5 million), 4-year program, which tests and support innovations with the potential to stimulate large-scale job creation.

The program is part of the UK Department for International Development’s broader economic development portfolio in Kenya which: promotes greater private investment including for the poorer regions; invests in better planned urbanisation to expand access to economic opportunities; brings down the barriers and cost of trade; and helps Kenyan firms grow their export markets.

Speaking during the launch of the second call, the Head of DFID Kenya, Julius Court, said “The UK is delighted to be part of efforts to tackle such constraints and promote the growth of private sector in way that creates opportunities for youth. We are listening when Kenyans tell the world they want mutually beneficial partnerships that move beyond aid and attract quality investment and create millions of jobs.

The second call for proposals will close on March 15th, 2020. Applicants are requested to submit the online application form which can be downloaded from the Kenya Catalytic Jobs Fund