In partnership with the DHL Foundation, Nailab designed and implemented the Social Entrepreneurship Program to support 40 young SMEs within the SOS Children's Network through training and mentorship on how to effectively manage and grow their businesses.

The program delivered essential business management training in areas such as financial management, marketing and branding, business planning, and leadership skills. Entrepreneurs learned how to manage finances, develop effective marketing strategies, create actionable business plans, and enhance their leadership and communication skills. Training also covered operational efficiency, legal compliance, and grant fund management to ensure participants could scale their businesses sustainably.

In addition to the training, Nailab managed the grant funds provided by the DHL Foundation, ensuring they were effectively distributed to the young entrepreneurs. The process included supporting innovators in budgeting, monitoring how the funds were used, and ensuring transparent reporting of the grant expenditure.

Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, with over 60% of its people under the age of 25. When climate change impacts the continent, it disproportionately affects young people by worsening existing barriers to essential health services, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH).

Extreme weather events make it even more difficult for youth — especially young women and girls — to access vital SRH services, increasing their vulnerability to unplanned pregnancies, HIV/AIDS, and gender-based violence (GBV).

Recognizing these challenges, UNFPA launched the Let’s Hack Climate Change Hacklab in 2024. This initiative aims to build climate resilience through innovation-driven, youth- and women-led action.

With support from Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW) Kenya, Nailab provided coaching and mentorship to 14 innovators selected from a competitive pool of over 100 applicants. These 14 innovations include teams from nine counties across Kenya, with over half of the finalists currently living in rural areas or informal settlements.

During an intensive bootcamp, Nailab connected these young innovators with top entrepreneurs for mentorship on product development, business modeling, go-to-market strategies, and pitch preparation. UNFPA further equipped them with insights into the link between climate change and SRH, ensuring their solutions addressed this critical intersection.

Following the bootcamp, the innovators presented their projects at a public pitch event, where two finalists were awarded $5,000 in seed funding to further develop their ideas. These finalists went on to represent Kenya at the Regional Hacklab Pitch Competition in Kigali, Rwanda, on November 7, 2024, during the YouthConnekt Africa Summit.

Competing against winners from Mozambique, Madagascar, and South Sudan for a chance to secure an additional $10,000 grant from UNFPA, Gabriel Mwaingo, CEO of ECO-PRINTS GENERATION, emerged victorious. After winning at the national level, Eco-Prints triumphed at the regional pitch event in Kigali, securing an additional $10,000 to scale their innovation.

In partnership with KCB Bank Group, Nailab designed the Bankika Istart Youth Challenge, an initiative aimed at empowering young Kenyans to "Ignite Your Hustle" and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. The challenge, driven by the slogan #2jiajiri (meaning "self-employment"), sought to inspire and support youth in Kenya to take the leap into entrepreneurship, start their own businesses, and achieve self-reliance.

The program provided successful finalists with mentorship, business development training, and investor preparedness to ensure they had the skills and knowledge needed to scale their ideas. Through this initiative, young entrepreneurs were not only supported in launching their ventures but were also equipped with the tools necessary for long-term sustainability and growth.

Our Role:

• Provided mentorship and incubation to 100 finalist entrepreneurs, guiding them through critical skills and business development training.
• Sourced and coordinated judges and mentors to provide expertise and guidance throughout the program.
• Equipped entrepreneurs with the essential presentation skills needed to pitch to potential investors during the investor conference.