Tech in Africa
Startup Savanna, an international acceleration process that’s part of The Kenya Industry and Entrepreneurship Project (KIEP) steered by the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade, and Enterprise Development with support from the GrowthAfrica, World Bank alongside the Nairobi Garage and Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), launched the startup Startup Savanna initiative on Monday 31, May 2021 at a colorful ceremony.
During the launch, Cabinet Secretary at the MoITED, Betty Maina, expressed confidence in the programme saying Kenyan startups can “market their innovations” and “compete globally for partnerships with global industries and business experts.”
Manasseh Miruka, Startup Savanna Team Leader expressed a desire to “deepen the support government is providing to startups and SMEs” while “showcasing Kenyan innovation and entrepreneurial spirit globally.”
Startup Savanna is working towards promoting the top Kenyan startups and enterprises, linking them with a global pool of mentors, corporate partners, and investors to transform them into successful ventures on the global stage. The idea is to position Kenya as the continent’s leading startup and innovation destination. Through startup savanna, businesses can easily scale up their readiness, create meaningful partnerships and expansion avenues to develop their global potential through connections to international investment.
The guiding theme is ‘Embracing transformative innovation, productivity and creativity internationally’
Startups Savanah targets early stage, growth stage, and mature enterprises looking to expand globally, The event is likely to expose 1000 startups to global networks while matching them with 175 Kenyan investors, mentors, and corporates, and international accelerators.
Kenya’s MSME sector is playing a vital role in the country’s overall economic growth according to The Economic Survey 2020. It’s also worth pointing out that several startups have closed up shop after two years due to a lack of the right business skills or networks for raising capital – a situation the collaborative initiative is trying to remedy.
Startups that are eligible can register at www.startupsavanna.com
