CALL FOR APPLICATIONS [DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 6 2025] | USAID Announces the Women Entrepreneurship Incubator Program in Kenya

The USAID Women Entrepreneurship Incubator Program (WEIP) is a transformative initiative aimed at supporting Women-Owned Small and Growing Businesses (WO-SGBs) across Kenya by providing resources, mentorship, and financial support to help entrepreneurs scale and succeed.

**Who are they looking for?**The program is seeking to recruit the best entrepreneurial minds, focusing on Women-Owned Small and Growing Businesses (WO-SGBs) as key drivers of innovation and economic growth operating in Kiambu, Nakuru & Nairobi.

Eligibility CriteriaManagement and Ownership Criteria:* Women must own 51% and above of the share capital.

• The business must be women-led, controlled, and managed.
• The business must be in one of these key sectors: agribusiness and agro-processing, textiles & apparel, healthcare, and water & sanitation.

Micro Enterprise:* Must have formal registration (at least a trading license)

• Operated for 1-2 years
• Employ fewer than 10 people (with at least 1 permanent employee)
• Annual turnover: Below KES 1 million
• Must have a valid Tax Compliance Certificate and a physical address or premise

For Manufacturing Enterprises:

• Investment in plant and machinery must not exceed KES 10 million

For Service and Farming Enterprises:

• Investment in plant and machinery must not exceed KES 5 million

Small Enterprise* Must have formal registration and all required business certificates/permits.

• Operated for 3 years or more.
• Employ 10-49 people, with the ability to retain at least 30% of employees.
• Annual turnover: Between KES 1 million and KES 5 million.
• Must have a valid Tax Compliance Certificate and a permanent business premise

For manufacturing enterprises:

• Investment in plant and machinery should be between KES 10 million and KES 50 million.

For service and farming enterprises:

• Investment in plant and machinery should be between KES 5 million and KES 20 million.

Medium enterprise* Must be formally registered with an incorporation certificate.

• Provide 3 years of audited financial accounts.
• Operational for at least 3-5 years, with clear operational structures and systems in place (e.g., HR management, payroll, finance).
• Employ 50-99 people.
• Annual turnover: Above KES 5 million.
• Investment in plant and machinery for manufacturing should exceed KES 50 million; for service and farming enterprises, it should exceed KES 20 million.
• Must have a valid Tax Compliance Certificate and a permanent business premises.

Program Benefits* Access to Capacity Building: Participants will receive comprehensive training tailored to their business needs, focusing on areas such as financial management, business development, and strategic planning.

• Business Advisory: Entrepreneurs will receive expert guidance on how to grow and sustain their businesses, addressing challenges specific to their sector.
• Mentorship: Women entrepreneurs will be paired with experienced mentors who provide personalized coaching to help them navigate the complexities of scaling their businesses.
• Access to Co-Investment Grants: Participants will have the opportunity to secure co-investment grants to scale their businesses, with a total of $1.25 million in co-investments available across the program

APPLY NOW!

Terms and conditions* Successful completion of the Women Entrepreneurship Incubator Program (WEIP) is compulsory for all participants.

• Attendance and active participation in all scheduled workshops, mentoring sessions, and program activities are required to maintain eligibility for funding and program benefits.
• Participants must commit to all in-person or virtual meetings as deemed necessary by the program organizers.
• Compliance with all applicable business regulations and legal requirements is expected throughout the program duration.

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