Nine businesses were recognized in the Kayana Female MSME Awards that took place on June 27 in Nairobi during the celebration of World MSME Day.
Kayana is a community that brings together female entrepreneurs in Kenya and aims at incubating women-owned startup businesses.
The awards’ categories included Community Impact- which was focused on recognizing businesses with notable value to the community, environmental impact, and most resilient business.
Kayana Female MSME Awards also recognize the business with the most adaptive use of technology, commitment to staff development, and the most innovative business, and businesses that manifested strong leadership.
Under the category of Community Impact, Tuendelee Foundation- an organization that transforms students at the tertiary education level from underprivileged backgrounds, bagged the award beating two other organizations.
Pure Purple, is a footwear and accessories business that is passionate about premium value addition on locally sourced leather and
Keen to ensure environmentally friendly operations Pure Purple, bagged the climate impact award while Edibowl Foodd was feted under the category of Commitment to Staff Development.
Other winners in the awards were Revolutionary Coffee (Kayana’s Choice Award), Vivanet Solutions (Most Adaptive Use of Technology), Angie’s Crochet (Most Innovative Business, Zanta Adeyde (Most Resilient Business), Stawi Wellness Center (Strong Leadership), and Ayana Handmade (The Diaspora Excellence Award).
Privileges for Kayana Female MSME Awards recipients
Besides the Kayana Female MSME Awards, the 27 women entrepreneurs will enjoy privileges including a one-year membership in the Kayana Community of businesses.
Furthermore, Kayana will sponsor the nominees for business to Zurich in Switzerland in partnership with ON, an athletic shoe and performance sportswear company.
While in Zurich, the nominees will learn from established entrepreneurs as well as network with international stakeholders and thus enhancing their chances of expanding beyond the Kenyan market.
“We are excited to extend a warm welcome to the 27 nominees who will now be part of the Kayana Community,” Kayana noted in a statement.
“As they embark on their journey, we are delighted to offer them a one-year free membership, unlocking a world of opportunities and support for their entrepreneurial endeavors.”
So far, Kayana has over 12,000 women entrepreneurs in its network. Through its facilities, it provides a platform for women in business to network and solicit help in incubating and turning ideas into businesses.