Who We Are
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BlueBiz Overview
BlueBiz implemented by TechnoServe in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is designed to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Blue Economy sector across five coastal counties in Kenya. It aims to build resilience for the future by focusing on Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, Tana River, and Kwale counties.
BlueBiz Pillars
Pillar 1: Skills Development
The Skills Development pillar aims to empower young entrepreneurs in Kenya's coastal communities by increasing their business acumen and technical skills relevant to the Blue Economy. It targets training in several areas: business management, finance, marketing, and value addition.
Main events include workshops and in-person and digital training, which provide participants with basic skills for establishing and developing their enterprises. The initiative also covers enhancing individual potential, sustainable usage of ocean resources, and creating economic opportunities for young people.
Pillar 2: Access to Finances
This pillar ensures improved financial inclusion among young entrepreneurs in Kenya's coastal communities. The objective is to offer them improved means to access financial services, including various loan products and grants required in initiating and scaling up enterprises within the Blue Economy bracket.
These activities focus on facilitating contact between young entrepreneurs and financial institutions, training in financial literacy and business management, and competitively applying for the Challenge Fund for innovative business ideas.
Pillar 3: Access to Networks and Market Linkages
This pillar focuses on creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs in coastal counties to access vital networks and markets. It aims to enhance the visibility and reach of the businesses of young entrepreneurs involved in the blue economy through partnerships and collaborations.
Key activities that will be pursued under this pillar are events such as networking, workshops, and trade fairs that bring entrepreneurs together with industry players and potential buyers. The program also aims to make provisions for mentorship matching and access to information on market situations that would aid young business owners in understanding how to pass through the market channels.
Pillar 4: Leadership and Mentorship
The Leadership and Mentorship aspect of the BlueBiz program has been structured to ensure that young entrepreneurs in Kenyan coastal communities develop leadership skills in all aspects, coupled with essential mentorship support. The main aim of this is to ensure that the youth are instilled with ownership and responsibility for their business ventures.
Major activities entail setting up a Youth Advisory Council, which addresses the voices of the young people to ensure that they are represented in the design of the programs and decision-making activities, hence encouraging active participation.
The program enables young people to have opportunities for mentorship, where experienced business leaders guide them through certain difficulties and advise them on strategies that would help their enterprises.
Our Partners
