In the dynamic space of entrepreneurship, the empowerment and support of female entrepreneurs are catalysts for fostering innovation and driving positive change. One such initiative was Plan International's Disrupt4Her Incubator launched in February 2023 in partnership with Circle Innovation and GrowthAfrica. This initiative aimed to foster innovation and accelerate growth of businesses building products and services that enhance the lives of women and girls in low-income communities in Kenya.
The incubator was envisioned as a pilot that embraced the principles of failing fast, learning quickly, and building better. This approach allowed us to iterate and adapt the incubator design continuously, incorporating new learnings and insights to respond to the evolving needs of entrepreneurs and the gender lens investment ecosystem in Kenya. The team took a human-centred co-design approach for the incubator pilot that applied various research findings and insights from previous gender-inclusive initiatives carried out by Plan International.
The inaugural cohort featured five businesses each building products and services that address the challenges faced by women and girls living in low-income communities in Kenya. The entrepreneurs benefited from training on the fundamentals of social entrepreneurship, on-the-ground lean startup sprints and market validation, as well as hands-on coaching and curated peer-to-peer support throughout the incubator. Finally, four of the entrepreneurs who successfully completed the programme secured EUR 10,000 funding and post-financing support to further support their ventures to scale their operations and impact.
The incubator culminated in a Demo Day in November 2023 graced by Plan International leadership: Kathleen Sherwin Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer, and Adnan Laeeq who was then the Global Head of Digital & Innovation to celebrate the strides the entrepreneurs had made in the nine-month journey.
Feedback from the participants highlighted the effectiveness of the programme’s interactive learning approach which enabled them to immediately apply the skills to their businesses, refine their value proposition and grow their customer base. Moreover, the programme’s practical elements such as design sprints and market validation support were instrumental in validating their marketing channels, customer segments and moving towards customer-centred decision making. Testimonials like Dorcas, Founder of Xolani Women of Hope, emphasise that “We have been doing some of these things without putting a name to them. It’s very helpful to have practicals which help us to be more thorough with the process.” At the close of the programme, the entrepreneurs noted that they had not only increased their knowledge on where to find funding opportunities, but increased their level of confidence in applying for these opportunities.
As we celebrate and share the accomplishments of the #Disrupt4Her Incubator, we not only applaud the women entrepreneurs who have excelled but also encourage continued support for initiatives that champion diversity and inclusivity in the entrepreneurship landscape. Stay tuned for our upcoming post as we follow the entrepreneurs’ journey and delve into the long-term impact of the incubator.
Are you building gender-inclusive programmes or interested in partnering with us? Reach out at hello@circleinnovation.co!