Kua Ventures has invested more than US$1 million into the growth of 20 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
The Kenya-based impact investment firm was founded in 2020 for the purpose of providing capital, coaching and community support for SMEs to survive the economic downturn prompted by COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on businesses.
In the last three years, Kua has had four rounds of funding which have seen 20 progressing local SMEs added to the Kua Ventures portfolio. Operations director Madalena Santos said the organisation was committed to supporting more Kenyan small businesses to realise their social impact in job creation and poverty reduction.
In her own words: “Having invested over US$1 million in 20 businesses in the last three years, we have seen the potential in the Kenyan entrepreneurial ecosystem and look forward to investing an additional US$2 million by June 2024 so that entrepreneurs within our portfolio can continue making a positive impact in their communities and beyond,”
Executive Director, Peter Fry said the three-year period was a testament to the success of the organisation’s “3C model”, which is an abbreviation of “capital, coaching and community”.
He also said: “We have found that our 3C model clearly works in Kenya and that there are many growth-oriented businesses led by impact-driven entrepreneurs throughout the country,” he said. “As revenue grows, the businesses add hardworking employees to their workforce and sustain their own vision of local outreach. In turn, this gives us great optimism about helping more local entrepreneurs grow their businesses and support their communities.”
With this over US$1 million funding milestone, Kua hopes to see these 20 SME’s thrive to the benefit of the country’s economy as well as Kua Ventures.
Related Posts
Educatly plans MENA expansion after banking seed funding
Rubyx secures $440k loan from Proparco
