When enterprises are trying to raise capital, five minutes of uninterrupted time in front of investors to pitch their business is invaluable. Those five minutes could be the key to securing financing essential for the enterprises to reach their commercial potential and continue to expand.
Women SMEs Pitch For Financing at Strathmore Business School
This week, Kenya Investment Mechanism, in partnership with Strathmore Business School, hosted a pitch session for 10 selected women entrepreneurs, who pitched their businesses to invited financial institutions.
The 10 women-owned SMEs presented opportunities valued at more than $10 million, ranging from smallholder impact to export expansion. “This pitch session followed a rigorous “Investing in Agriculture Value Addition” training program that equipped women entrepreneurs with skills, knowledge, and tools to leverage the opportunities in agro-processing and agribusiness value addition,” says Lucy Mitei, KIM’s Gender Specialist. “After the in-class training, the women business owners were paired with coaches to help them build strong business cases and learn how to pitch to investors. The pitch session offered the women an opportunity to test their skills, and we are hopeful some of them will end up accessing financing.”
Rob Henning, KIM Project Director
Speaking at the pitch event, Rob Henning, KIM’s acting Chief of Party advised the women to take advantage of the exposure the KIM and Strathmore Business School partnership has presented to them, including becoming Strathmore University alumni. “This program has opened you up to business advisors and the Strathmore Alumni group, which offer yet another networking avenue,” he said. “I hope you can take advantage of this exposure to connect with these valuable networks to build your capabilities and grow your business.”
Women SMEs Pitch For Financing at Strathmore Business School
Women SMEs Pitch For Financing at Strathmore Business School
