The USAID Women Entrepreneurship Incubator Program (WEIP) 2025 for Women-Owned Small and Growing Businesses (WO-SGBs)

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About USAID Women Entrepreneurship Incubator Program

The program is seeking to recruit the best entrepreneurial minds, focusing on Women-Owned Small and Growing Businesses (WO-SGBs) as key drivers of innovation and economic growth operating in Kiambu, Nakuru & Nairobi.

• Sponsor Organisation: United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Benefits of USAID Women Entrepreneurship Incubator Program

1. Access to Capacity Building: Participants will receive comprehensive training tailored to their business needs, focusing on areas such as financial management, business development, and strategic planning.
2. Business Advisory: Entrepreneurs will receive expert guidance on how to grow and sustain their businesses, addressing challenges specific to their sector.
3. Mentorship: Women entrepreneurs will be paired with experienced mentors who provide personalized coaching to help them navigate the complexities of scaling their businesses.
4. Access to Co-Investment Grants:Participants will have the opportunity to secure co-investment grants to scale their businesses, with a total of $1.25 million in co-investments available across the program

USAID Women Entrepreneurship Incubator Program Requirements

Management and Ownership Criteria 

1. Women must own 51% and above of the share capital.
2. The business must be women-led, controlled, and managed.
3. The business must be in one of these key sectors: agribusiness and agro-processing, textiles & apparel, healthcare, and water & sanitation.

Micro enterprise 

1. Must have formal registration (at least a trading license).
2. Operated for 1-2 years.
3. Employ fewer than 10 people (with at least 1 permanent employee).
4. Annual turnover: Below Ksh 1 million.
5. Must have a valid Tax Compliance Certificateand a physical address or premise.

For manufacturing enterprises:

• Investment in plant and machinery must not exceed Ksh 10 million.

For service and farming enterprises:

• Investment in plant and machinery must not exceed Ksh 5 million.

Small enterprise 

1. Must have formal registration and all required business certificates/permits.
2. Operated for 3 years or more.
3. Employ 10-49 people, with the ability to retain at least 30% of employees.
4. Annual turnover: Between Ksh 1 million and Ksh 5 million.
5. Must have a valid Tax Compliance Certificateand a permanent business premise

For manufacturing enterprises:

• Investment in plant and machinery should be between Ksh 10 million and Ksh 50 million.

For service and farming enterprises:

• Investment in plant and machinery should be between Ksh 5 million and Ksh 20 million.

Medium enterprise 

1. Must be formally registered with an incorporation certificate.
2. Provide 3 years of audited financial accounts.
3. Operational for at least 3-5 years, with clear operational structures and systems in place (e.g., HR management, payroll, finance).
4. Employ 50-99 people.
5. Annual turnover: Above Ksh 5 million.
6. Investment in plant and machinery for manufacturing should exceed Ksh 50 million; for service and farming enterprises, it should exceed Ksh 20 million.
7. Must have a valid Tax Compliance Certificateand a permanent business premises.

For manufacturing enterprises:

• Investment in plant and machinery should exceed Ksh 50 million.

For service and farming enterprises:

• Investment in plant and machinery should exceed Ksh 20 million.

Application Date and Process

• Click on the link to the application website to apply.

Scholarship Application Portal

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