Selection Criteria And Process
The Kayana Female MSME Award establishes a transparent and inclusive necotion and selection process. This is to ensure fairness and encourage community participation. Potential winners will go through the following steps:
VOTING CATEGORIES
Commitment to staff development
Small business owners working with a team must tap into the strengths and talents of employees to bring out the best in them. This category considers mentorship opportunities within the organization, skill level-based training, flexible learning options, the development of soft skills and people skills, and the working environment.
Community Impact
The beauty of small businesses is the value they have to the communities around them. What impact has your business had in terms of economic sustainability (e.g., employment opportunities), social consciousness, community cohesion, and cultivating relationships?
Environmental Impact
This category recognizes outstanding MSMEs with deep commitments to environmental sustainability. Our goal is to showcase such achievements to spread best practices, instigate dialogue, and inspire others – so that more such efforts are expended by larger businesses.
Kayana's Choice Awards
This award recognizes business excellence based on hb reputation, professionalism, customer satisfaction, and the quality of service or product in the market within the Kayana Community.
Most Adaptive Use of Technology
In the modern-day business landscape, small businesses are tested in a variety of ways and challenged to embrace technology solutions. This category honors the continuous effort by MSMEs to digitize their businesses to offer fast and efficient customer service.
Most Innovative Business
Many businesses constantly rethink their business processes to improve on existing products and services. This category recognizes businesses that have introduced new ideas, services, and products to meet the evolving demands of the market.
Most Resillient Business
In this category, we seek to honor businesses that demonstrate exceptional resilience in the face of market challenges or internal hurdles, showcasing adept cross-functional strategic planning and a steadfast state of readiness to navigate shifts in consumer activity.
Strong Leadership
We are looking for business owners who inspire their team, make responsible and calculated decisions, value the input of others, manage business finances well, embrace diversity, ensure clarity of business goals, and create a culture of teamwork.
The Diaspora Excellence Award
This is a special category that recognizes exceptional women entrepreneurs who are making a positive impact in Africa. This award honors African women who have successfully launched and scaled businesses across the continent, contributing to economic growth and social development.
MEET OUR JUDGES
Victor Otieno, representing Viffa Consult Limited, provides research assistance and advice to SMEs, startups, entrepreneur support groups, and SME policy institutions. Victor has worked with more than 400 organizations across five African nations in East and Southern Africa. He has an immense passion for African entrepreneurship.
Christopher Maara, representing Kiri Energy, is an entrepreneur, CEO, and promoter of renewable energy. Christopher actually founded Kiri Energy with a mission to improve lives, accelerate sustainable development, and boost local manufacturing by offering affordable clean energy to the transportation industry. His passion is to actively contribute to Africa’s transition to sustainable energy, with a focus on solar photovoltaics and e-mobility.
Chebet Cheruiyot, representing Inkomoko, is an accomplished project manager and coordinator with extensive experience in facilitating research and effectively executing programmes in both private companies and non-governmental organizations. Chebet is well-versed in the legislative and policy framework for community development initiatives, with an emphasis on fostering enterprise growth and rural development.
Mercy Kimalat, representing ASSEK, has over 13 years of experience in building a thriving and dynamic innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem with a solid background in designing and managing impact driven programs across diverse sectors in the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
MEET OUR 2024 NOMINEES
CATEGORY: COMMITMENT TO STAFF DEVELOPMENT
MRX Media Limited is a pioneering media agency and social enterprise that serves as a bridge between hbs and the youth in East Africa.
Leveraging the potent combination of entertainment and digital technology, MRX Media engages, empowers, and inspires the region’s youth. With a vision focused on shaping a positive impact, they are dedicated to utilizing their platform to drive meaningful change and growth among African youth.
Spectrum Engineering Limited, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, stands as an indigenous telecommunications services company with over two decades of experience.
Specializing in Infrastructure Construction and Telecommunication Implementation Services, they have played a pivotal role in transforming and modernizing networks across the region. Their diverse clientele includes international vendors, ISPs, government agencies, and local network operators, reflecting their extensive expertise and commitment to excellence.
Essenpark Limited is a global consultancy powerhouse renowned for its expertise in Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS).
Offering a comprehensive suite of services, Essenpark excels in enhancing performance, managing risks, and amplifying hb impact for businesses worldwide. With a fresh approach to EHS strategy, they continually strive to optimize operations and promote sustainability across industries.
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Tupike Ventures is a pioneering clean energy enterprise dedicated to revolutionizing household cooking practices in Kenya.
By designing and distributing fireless cooker bags and clean energy cookstoves, they address the pressing issue of household air pollution while providing affordable cooking solutions to low- and middle-income families.
Committed to sustainability, Tupike Ventures aims to be a trusted partner in promoting cleaner, healthier environments for all.
Eco Makaa Solutions is leading the charge in transforming the energy landscape with its eco-friendly briquettes, offering a clean, affordable, and reliable alternative to traditional fuel sources.
Through innovation, education, and community empowerment, they strive to mitigate climate change, reduce deforestation, and improve livelihoods across Kenya and beyond, setting a precedent for sustainable energy solutions.
Kiasili Farm is driving agricultural innovation with its cutting-edge farming protocols and digital marketplace.
By leveraging technology and unique logistics, they facilitate the global sourcing of indigenous food crops, empowering farmers and revolutionizing the agricultural sector. With a focus on sustainability and efficiency, Kiasili Farm is paving the way for a more resilient and interconnected food system.
CATEGORY: KAYANA CHOICE AWARDS
Mutitu Honey is not just a honey producer; it’s a catalyst for community development, accelerating beekeeping uptake and fostering climate-resilient agriculture.
By providing an alternative source of income for farmers and promoting pollination, they mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, one hive at a time.
Diro Jewellers elevates fashion accessories by infusing premium value into locally sourced materials, from hypoallergenic brass to upcycled horn and bone.
With a commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship, Diro transforms waste into wearable art, exemplifying ethical elegance.
HB Leather is a Kenyan business founded and run by women using Biblical principles. The business was conceptualized, birthed and registered in the throes of COVID-19 by Lucy Mwangi but became operational in late 2021.
COVID-19 reawakened and stirred up a deep desire to pursue her divine purpose and make a difference in her community. Having had a passion for everything and anything leather for as long as she can remember, it became the preferred choice for raw material.
The purpose of the business is twofold; to provide sustainable livelihoods for artisans; and to cause a disruption by coming up with cutting-edge designs.
CATEGORY: MOST ADAPTIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Gwiji for Women is a transformative tech enterprise empowering marginalized women from Nairobi’s slums by connecting them with clients through a user-friendly mobile application.
By providing access to steady income opportunities, Gwiji uplifts these women, elevating their daily average incomes and fostering economic independence.
GRise Systems Solutions is synonymous with cutting-edge technology, delivering comprehensive data advisory and tech solutions tailored to diverse business needs.
With a decade-long journey marked by innovation and collaboration, they continue to empower clients, leveraging technology to drive transformative outcomes.
Nyumba Zetu revolutionizes property management with its cloud-based software, streamlining every aspect of the process from listings to maintenance.
With a mission to transform the real estate fintech landscape, Nyumba Zetu offers unparalleled innovation and service excellence, reshaping the industry one transaction at a time.
CATEGORY: MOST INNOVATIVE BUSINESS
CATEGORY: MOST RESILIENT BUSINESS
CATEGORY: STRONG LEADERSHIP
The Chic Evangelist Collection inspires a global tribe of women to live fearlessly and authentically, amplifying the love of Christ through digital media and community engagement.
With a vision to impact lives and elevate spirituality, The Chic Evangelist Collection empowers women to embrace their divine purpose.
CATEGORY: THE DIASPORA EXCELLENCE AWARD
Lamalo Essentials, under the umbrella of Cundall Enterprises Ltd, represents a pioneering force in agribusiness, promoting sustainable agriculture and community well-being.
With a focus on locally sourced ingredients and eco-conscious practices, Lamalo Essentials sets a precedent for ethical entrepreneurship and environmental stewardship.
Krypia is a Zambian owned fintech startup dedicated to uplifting underserved SMEs across Africa, bridging the gap in financial access and knowledge.
Through tailored financial products and capacity-building initiatives, Kryptia Finance empowers small businesses to thrive, driving economic growth and prosperity continent-wide.
CATEGORY: COMMUNITY IMPACT
Minat Bakery and Cake Zone Academy is a multifaceted enterprise renowned for its award-winning confectionary creations and educational initiatives.
Founded by Amina Khalid Ahmed, a visionary entrepreneur and cake enthusiast, in 2019, the company not only produces delectable treats but also imparts valuable marketplace knowledge to aspiring bakers.
Through their endeavors, they aim to promote empowerment and upliftment within society, one cake at a time.
Soraya – Nurturing Teen Moms, established in 2020, is dedicated to combating teenage pregnancies in Kenya by providing vital information, personal growth opportunities, and advocacy for young women. Through their unwavering commitment to expanding choices and opportunities, Soraya empowers teenage girls to make informed decisions and pursue their aspirations, thereby fostering a brighter future for generations to come.
Kaya Nuts stands at the forefront of agro-processing and social empowerment, crafting delicious, healthy cashew products while championing economic empowerment for rural women.
Through innovative approaches and sustainable practices, they not only produce premium cashew snacks but also create meaningful livelihoods for women processors, contributing to poverty reduction and community development.