What is the Women Entrepreneurship Incubator Program? The USAID Women Entrepreneurship Incubator Program (WEIP) is a dynamic and impactful initiative to empower women-owned small and growing businesses (WO-SGBs) across Kenya. This program provides a comprehensive support system that includes essential resources, personalized mentorship, and tailored financial assistance. By fostering an environment conducive to growth and success, WEIP helps women entrepreneurs enhance their business capabilities, expand their market reach, and ultimately scale their operations. Through workshops, training sessions, and networking opportunities, participants gain valuable skills and insights, enabling them to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities in the competitive entrepreneurship landscape.
Who are we looking for?
We are 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 criteria
- Management 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 Ksh 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 Ksh 10 million.
For service and farming enterprises:
- Investment in plant and machinery must not exceed Ksh 5 million.
- 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 Ksh 1 million and Ksh 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 Ksh 10 million and Ksh 50 million.
For service and farming enterprises:
- Investment in plant and machinery should be between Ksh 5 million and Ksh 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 Ksh 5 million.
- Investment in plant and machinery for manufacturing should exceed Ksh 50 million; for service and farming enterprises, it should exceed Ksh 20 million.
- Must have a valid Tax Compliance Certificate and a permanent business premises.
For manufacturing enterprises:
Investment in plant and machinery should exceed Ksh 50 million.
For service and farming enterprises:
Investment in plant and machinery should exceed Ksh 20 million.
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.
For more information please visit to Apply: https://weip.strathmore.edu/#/cohort-3-4-5
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