Kua Ventures

11/12/2024

On Saturday, we convened with our portfolio businesses for the last portfolio workshop of the year! During the workshop, founders within our portfolio reflected on their 2024 journey, sharing the highlights, challenges and some of the lessons learnt. The interactive session enabled strategy consultants, drawn from our partner organization WYLDE International, to guide the founders in strategizing for the coming year and to avoid pitfalls that may hinder the growth of their businesses.

The workshop came at a time when many businesses in Kenya are switching their focus and strategizing for 2025 amidst a tough economic climate that has taken a hit on .

Kua Ventures workshops are periodically organized as part of our “Community” pillar. In the workshops, business founders connect, fellowship, and share ideas and resources that help them grow their businesses collectively.

➡️Learn more: www.kuaventures.org

03/12/2024

In our latest episode of the Founders' Series, we feature our portfolio business GoBeba. Founded by Peter Ndiang'ui and Lesley M., GoBeba delivers safety and convenience to Kenyan households by providing essential utilities like cooking gas and water.

Founded by Peter and Lesley, GoBeba delivers safety and convenience to Kenyan households by providing essential utilities like cooking gas and water. Hear ho...

18/11/2024

Recognizing the critical funding gaps faced by businesses in Kenya and the East African region, Kua Ventures has made its largest single investment to date - $285,000 (approximately Ksh. 36 million) to Continental Seeds. The investment will support Continental Seeds’ growth and mission of providing quality seeds, training, and support to farmers across East Africa, ultimately contributing to food security and sustainable agriculture.

Continental Seeds becomes the 26th business to join the growing Kua Ventures portfolio.

➡️Read More: https://kuaventures.org/kua-ventures-makes-record-investment-of-285000-in-continental-seeds/

11/11/2024

Olerai Schools, a group of schools in Ongata Rongai and Kiserian in Kajiado County, has officially joined the Kua Ventures portfolio! With the financing from Kua Ventures, Olerai Schools is set to expand and strengthen its mission of excellence in education, becoming the 26th business in Kua Ventures' portfolio.

Olerai Schools, a group of schools in Kajiado County, has received financing from Kua Ventures to support its expansion and growth in its mission to be a center of excellence for young learners in Kenya.

05/11/2024

In today's edition of the Business Daily, our Executive Director Peter Fry discusses the untapped potential of non-tech sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and retail. These sectors create , sustain communities, and drive sustainable growth, all while innovating in ways that meet real, local needs.

30/10/2024

As part of our continued efforts to create through strategic sectors such as the industry, we are pleased to announce our follow-on investment in Pelacca Brands, a candy manufacturer known for its lollipops. The additional investment will support Pelacca’s growth plans as it continues to make inroads into the Kenyan candy and confectionery market.

Co-founded in 2018 by Irene Ndinda, a passionate entrepreneur with a deep love for lollipops, Pelacca Brands joined our portfolio in 2023 with an initial investment of Ksh. 12 million for the expansion of its production capacity. Over time, the enterprise has continued to grow its operations and provide more employment opportunities to members of the community.

With the additional investment, we look forward to Pelacca’s continued partnership and advancement of our shared mission of creating more jobs.

➡️Learn more and apply for our funding opportunities: www.kuaventures.org/funding

25/10/2024

Last week, we attended this year's edition of the Big Baraza, an annual conference for organized by our partner SNDBX The Village Experts. Now in its fourth year, the Big Baraza borrows from the concept of community barazas (village gatherings), bringing stakeholders together to discuss challenges facing Kenya’s SME sector and identify opportunities for growth and collaboration.

In addressing the financial hurdles most SMEs encounter, our Executive Director, Peter Fry, spoke on the investment opportunities provided by Kua Ventures, as well as alternative options to tackle cash flow and growth challenges.

It was an incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with founders of small businesses and other key players in the SME and entrepreneur support ecosystem.

08/10/2024

For Cherie Kihato, the path to success was neither straight nor easy. As the founder of Savannah Space, a thriving business that manufactures and curates locally-made furniture and home décor in Kenya, Cherie’s story is one of faith, resilience, and vision. In an interview with Kua Ventures, Cherie openly shares that her venture was God-ordained, a vision she attributes to her faith

➡️Read more:

04/10/2024

Earlier this week, we met our friends and partners from Sinapis to discuss our ongoing partnership and the shared goal of supporting faith-driven enterprises in Kenya. Sinapis trains and coaches faith-driven entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills they need to run businesses that create impact. On the other hand, Kua Ventures provides to faith-driven entrepreneurs to help grow their small businesses and create employment opportunities for the community.

Sinapis has been one of our long-standing partners in Kenya, having invested in several businesses that have gone through their capacity building and investor-readiness programs. We are excited to continue this partnership and look forward to having a greater impact on faith-driven entrepreneurship in Kenya and the East African region.

01/10/2024

In our latest episode of the , Cherie Kihato, the Founder of Savannah Space, shares her inspiring story of building her furniture and decor business, working with local carpenters, and her experience with Kua Ventures. Cherie, through her business Savannah Space, is among entrepreneurs who Kua Ventures continues to support through Capital, Coaching and Community.

27/09/2024

On the Business Daily Africa, a Kenyan daily business newspaper, our Executive Director Peter Fry discusses the funding options for small businesses. Peter contends that the everyday small business in manufacturing, service sector or agribusiness often doesn't need venture capital, as it usually imposes high growth expectations and pressure. Instead, they require flexible financing models like revenue-based financing, which offer more flexibility than traditional term loans.

Read more:

The success of Kenya’s economy depends on how well we support the entrepreneurs building it today.