Introduction to the KENYA CLIMATE INNOVATION CENTER
The Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC), in partnership with the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), is implementing the GreenBiz Program from 2021 to 2025. The program aims to support 300 climate technologies and innovative business models, generating over 3000 full-time job opportunities. The expected outcomes include increased commercialization and scaling up of climate-related companies, creating decent jobs, enhancing access to low-carbon energy sources, improving community and household resilience to climate change, and delivering other environmental and social benefits.
This announcement invites eligible businesses to apply for the GreenBiz Incubator or Accelerator program, which offers tailored support such as business advisory services, mentorship, technical assistance, capacity building, and financing. The GreenBiz Program seeks to address key challenges hindering climate technologies and innovative business models from leveraging the vast potential in the cleantech sector. This call for applications aims to onboard 60 climate technologies and enterprises falling under KCIC’s five thematic areas: renewable energies and energy efficiency, water, agribusiness, commercial forestry, and waste management.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants can apply to join either the incubation or the acceleration Programme:
GreenBiz Incubation Program
This is a 12-month program aimed at startups and early-stage businesses that have developed at least a prototype. The businesses receive intensive practical training and business coaching to help them validate their concepts in the market and move towards commercialization. Clients who successfully complete this program can apply for the KCIC GreenBiz Accelerator Program.
Eligibility Criteria for the Incubation Program
- Must be a legal entity operating and registered in Kenya. If a business is a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Self-Help Group, or Community-Based Organization, it should be willing to register as a limited company within the first 3 months of the program.
- Business must fall within KCIC’s five thematic areas: renewable energy and energy efficiency, water management, agribusiness, commercial forestry, and waste management.
- Must have an innovative product, service, or business model.
- Must be in the early stages of business development, having a prototype with less than 2 years since business inception.
- Must demonstrate a climate change angle: the business must contribute to mitigation or adaptation to climate change, and/or have a positive impact on the natural environment, including biodiversity. This contribution should enhance social, economic, and environmental resilience to climate-related disruption and disaster.
Revenues should be between 0 to Kes 2,000,000 in the last 1 year
Team of 2+ full time/part time employees
GreenBiz Accelerator Program
This is a 12-month program providing highly personalized services aimed at guiding clients toward rapid business growth, preparing them for investment readiness, and facilitating investment raising.
Accelerator Eligibility Criteria
- The entity must be legally registered and operating in Kenya. If it’s a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Self-Help Group, or Community Based Organization, it must commit to registering as a limited company within the first 3 months of the program.
- The company must operate within KCIC’s five thematic areas: renewable energy and energy efficiency, water management, agribusiness, commercial forestry, and waste management.
- It must have an innovative product, service, or business model.
- The company should have a proven business model and a clearly defined financial model.
- It should be in the post-revenue stage (earning over kes 2,000,000 in the last year).
- The company should be seeking capital.
- It must have a team of 4 or more full-time/part-time employees.
- The business must demonstrate a climate angle, meaning it must contribute to mitigating or adapting to climate change and/or have a positive impact on the natural environment, including biodiversity. This contribution should enhance social, economic, and environmental resilience to climate-related disruptions and disasters.
Benefits
The Kenya Climate Innovation Center will provide financial assistance to eligible applicants who meet the financing criteria for the GreenBiz program. This support will be tailored to individual needs and awarded after a three-month period following enrollment in the program.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the KCIC Green Biz Programme 2024 TO APPLY
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