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Kenya: Call for Applications for Startup-SME Linkage Program 2.0

Deadline: 16-Feb-21

Metta in partnership with the UK-Kenya Tech Hub presents the Startup-SME linkage program 2.0 aimed at providing tech startups direct linkages to SMEs which fall under their target customers for a chance to secure a commercial deal.

The program will require selected startups to present/demo their solutions to SMEs in a digital live marketplace for a partnership or commercialization deal.

In this program, Metta defines a startup and SMEs through the following lens:

  • An SME is a self-sustaining company with a monthly turnover of over Ksh. 500,000, and has existed for over 5 years. The SME could operate in tech or non-tech front but generally has more stability through a proven business model and well-known products to known customers in known local markets.
  • A startup, on the other hand, would have existed less than 5 years, and characterized by a “move fast, break things” culture and predominantly operate in the tech front with the sole goal of innovating above market standards.

Benefits

  • 4 free masterclasses modeled on the Deal Making Design Framework.
  • Access to practical templates for deal-making.
  • Participation in the Deal Rooms with potential clients and service providers.
  • Business feature on the Metta and UK-Kenya Tech networks.

What they want to achieve?

  • Create a platform for the participating companies to discuss partnership and commercial deal opportunities;
  • Help the participating companies to come up with a commercial or partnership deal tracked over a period of 6 to 12 months;
  • Spark a collaborative culture between SMEs and Startups that yield innovative, and valuable solutions, which also promotes cooperation and the collective movement towards a better future by creating better goods and services.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Startups: They are looking for post-revenue startups with practical solutions that can help SMEs solve their existing problems. Female-led startups are highly encouraged to apply.
    • Should be open to collaboration.
    • Should be a registered entity.
    • Must be a tech-driven startup.
    • Should have active users on their platform: demonstrate use cases.
    • Offer valid solutions in the thematic areas identified.
  • SMEs: They are looking for SMEs that are open for a commercial and/or partnership deal with innovative post-revenue tech startups operating in verticals such as HR, customer experience, digital marketing, agriculture, health, logistics, clean energy, e-commerce among others. Sample challenges could include: disrupted sales, logistics inefficiencies, poor website engagement and e-commerce conversion rate…etc
    • Proof of product adoption in the market.
    • Should be a registered entity.
    • Willingness to adopt and leverage tech solutions.
    • Willingness to open its network to startups.

As a participant, What is required?

  1. All participants are required to attend at least 2 (1.5hrs max) trainings to proceed to the deal room.
  2. All participants are required to honour all their allocated business pairs in the deal room.
  3. 2 hours between 8th March and 28th March).
  4. All participants must be willing to detail their progress from the deal rooms and to be featured in the case studies
  5. For a startup, you must have a deck (less than 10 slides) showcasing your products/services, and be willing to customize the value proposition to your prospective matched SME(s) where applicable.
  6. SME representatives must be willing to submit some of their pain points and or new horizon opportunities that they are interested in beforehand to allow for suitable matchmaking. The SME must also avail some of its key decision-makers in the Market Place Sessions to assess synergies, commercial or partnership opportunities, and sign off on deals.

Note

  • The program is sector agnostic i.e. we welcome applications from all sectors and those run by women.
  • Selection will be heavily based on our capacity to fulfill your needs and desired pairings in the deal room sessions.
  • In case of any questions, feel free to reach them at the address given on the website.

For more information, visit https://metta.co/startup-sme-linkage-program-2-0/