Eager to turn your business idea into a successful enterprise? The Enablis Entrepreneurial Network East Africa is looking for people like you. Get ready to enter a competition that will give its winning candidates all the tools to build a successful venture.
Emerging and existing entrepreneurs participating in the Enablis Business Plan competition entrepreneurs will receive training, mentorship, access to financing and stand a chance of winning part of Ksh. 3.5 Million as startup capital. If this appeals to you, then register now: the competition is accepting entries in the form of business plans from any Kenyan citizens aged 18 and above. To be eligible you need to be either an aspiring entrepreneur who intends to go into business in six months’ time or an existing entrepreneur who has been in business for not more than five years.
Interested participants can enter the various categories such as Agri-business and Agri-processing, Arts, Business and Professional Services, Green and Ecological Businesses, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Logistics, Marketing and Communication, Manufacturing and Construction, Media, Recreation, Sports and Tourism. The winners of the competition will be announced at a gala dinner.
This competition is organized by Enablis, a non-profit organization that supports entrepreneurs in the developing world thanks to a very active member-driven network and strong partners, Chase Bank, a Kenyan bank, and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Moses Mwaura, the Chief Operations Officer of Enablis Africa, explains that the competition, which is expected to run until October 2011, will cover the country and engage with entrepreneurs on different levels.
We will visit 20 counties across the country in July and August to offer free training on how to write fundable business plans and also give tips on how to approach a bank for a business loan,” said Mwaura
The top 100 finalists of the competition will receive further training in October in Nairobi at the Inoorero University. They will be trained on bookkeeping, cash management and strategic planning amongst other entrepreneurial skills. They will also receive business development support from ILO’s Youth Entrepreneurship Facility, along with a free membership to the Enablis Entrepreneurial Network for a year, an account at Chase Bank and the opportunity to networking, colleagues, business experts and successful entrepreneurs.
Now, if you needed good reasons to enter the competition, this should make the deal.
We want young entrepreneurs to integrate the concept of sustainable enterprise in their operations and establish firms that create decent jobs that combine green and social benefits in addition to purely economic,” said Jens Dyring Christensen, the Chief Technical Advisor of ILO’s Youth Entrepreneurship Facility. A holistic approach to entrepreneurship, this is what will be required from you. Don’t compromise on your standards and essential values, as they will have an impact on the future of your business.
Winners will be selected based on the viability and growth potential of their business, innovation, quality of products and job creation potential.
The deadline to submit your business plan is 31st August 2011. For more information or to secure a seat at the county training sessions write an email to blpea@enablis.org
The Enablis Entrepreneurial Network is a network of entrepreneurs based in Mozambique, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania. It has over 1,500 entrepreneurs as its members.
