Stage 2 of our 1,000 Young Entrepreneurs Start Up Fund focuses on supporting businesses that have developed an MVP and achieved initial pilot sales. This stage aims to amplify ventures creating meaningful impact and generating jobs, positioning them for growth before SEED or VC funding rounds. Stage 2 funding is based on specific themes, where only applicants with relevant business ideas can participate. Along with financial support of up to USD 10,000, you’ll receive mentorship and coaching from seasoned professionals and gain access to our exclusive network.
Goals
Stage 2 is focusing on the following goals:
- Accelerate Growth and Impact: Support young entrepreneurs in scaling their ventures, creating sustainable businesses that drive meaningful social and economic impact, including job creation and community development.
- Prepare for Investment Readiness: Equip participants with the tools, resources, and mentorship needed to attract SEED or VC funding, ensuring their ventures are positioned for long-term growth and scalability.
Award Stage 2
Currently, no Award is open in Kenya. However, you can sign up for the newsletter on the bottom of this page and we will notify you as soon as a competition becomes available.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at 1000ye@aiducation.org.
Theme
Each award
round will always be centered around a specific topic or theme. This focus
ensures that the businesses supported are aligned with pressing challenges or
opportunities relevant to their communities or industries. Applicants are
expected to tailor their business ideas to the announced topic for each round,
which will be clearly communicated in advance.
Our Process starts with YOU
Application Window Open for
8 weeks
Internal Pre-selection of Applicants
2 weeks
Mid-Jury
half day
Pitching Coaching
2 weeks
Grand-Jury
half day
Candidate Contracting
10-12 weeks
Funds received in 3-4 installments
Business Coaching
up to 12 months
Eligibility & Requirement
About you:
- You are a resident of Kenya
- You do not work for any affiliates of our sponsors or Aiducation International
- You can speak English fluently.
- You are younger than 30 years old during application.
About your business:
- Your business must have traction and you are aware your competitive landscape.
- You have a prototype for a product (MVP) or at least 5-10 customers.
- You must provide a detailed financial plan for your business up to 3-5 years.
- You have a detailed business plan with a good understanding of the market.
- You agree that upon receiving this award you accept the equity investment by Aiducation International.
Please note that if you are at Ideation Stage of your Entrepreneurial journey, Contact Us to learn further about our Stage 1.
Application Documents
To start your application and upload the documents as required by the eligibility criteria please download the below listed documents.
- A photo of your valid identification card or passport
- A resume including the Start Up details such as foundation date, location based in, your team, etc.
- 3-5 mins video of you summarizing your story to start this business as well as explaining your passion, vision and business
- A business plan containing all the required information (download)
- The filled out financial plan (not mandatory yet) (download)
- A signed copy of Terms and Conditions (download)
In the event of incomplete documents, we will not be able to accept your application. If you have further questions, please let us know or book an info session.
for transparency and social impact
Aiducation and our sponsors care deeply about transparency and social impact. Therefore, we use the same scoring system from pre-Selection to Grand Jury stages within our program.
The weighted scoring ensures that we choose the right business but more importantly it ensures that we choose the right talent and/or team. If you would like to learn more about the scoring system, you can download it here.