Business Incubation, Business Leadership, & Market Development
From Concept to Success: Join our Incubator program for your entrepreneurial journey.
Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Development
CoELIB is dedicated to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. To this end, CoELIB hosts a range of enterprise start-up and business development seminars, dialogues, and workshops covering various topics focused on the challenges and solutions that entrepreneurs face. These sessions serve as learning and knowledge-sharing opportunities for participants, with a specific emphasis on the participation of women.
CoELIB recognizes the importance of investing in the skills of youth and entrepreneurs from the community, which is why it delivers entrepreneurship and business management skills training. The training programs empower entrepreneurs to develop the skills necessary to succeed in business.
The centre offers training programs specifically targeting youth and entrepreneurs from the community, which are hosted quarterly. Through these programs, participants are provided with the knowledge and resources needed to develop viable ideas and business and marketing plans to evolve into successful enterprises.
Business Incubation
The location of businesses in an environment where shared services are offered reduces the risk of business failure, especially during the vulnerable first 24 months. Providing subsidized rental space is essential as it provides opportunities for knowledge sharing between incubates. CoELIB offers physical space, including meeting rooms, shared reception, parking, training rooms, a kitchen, boardrooms, and hot-desking. In addition, CoELIB provides shared services such as access to copiers, wireless networks and printing to reduce the administrative burden on incubates. The critical elements of this service include the recruitment, management and graduation of incubates.
Business Advisory
CoELIB also offers gender-sensitive business advisory services, counselling and mentorship. Advisory services are based on completing a business assessment (at the idea and start-up phase). Advice is provided regarding various issues and challenges that entrepreneurs wrestle with, including the viability of the business idea, start-up requirements, markets and marketing, operations, and business growth and development. The advisory services include a structured mentorship component. The mentor-mentee relationship enables the sharing of hands-on, practical, expert knowledge and experience, considering the specific needs of women-owned enterprises. In addition, mentors bring access to personal and professional networks developed over several years that can be invaluable to the entrepreneur.
Business Linkages and Networking
CoELIB recognizes the importance of networking among young businesses. To this end, the centre organizes and hosts various networking events, meetups, and business-to-business meetings. Through these interactions, entrepreneurs connect with stakeholders, such as established producers, processors, and market players, to exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations. CoELIB also maintains a database of these key role-players to facilitate connections and collaborations further. Additionally, CoELIB works to establish partnerships with financial institutions and other organizations to provide access to funding opportunities for small enterprises.
Business Mentorship and Coaching
CoELIB recognizes the crucial role of mentorship in developing young entrepreneurs. To this end, the centre has established a vast network of mentors derived from member organizations such as the Association of Start-up and SMEs Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK), the Association of Country Wide Innovation Hubs (ACIH), the Association of Agribusiness Incubator Network (AAIN), and the African Alliance Partnership (AAP), as well as in-house mentors and coaches.
Through this network, CoELIB convenes thought leaders and industry experts to mentor young leaders across programs. By providing guidance, advice, and support, mentors empower young leaders and entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential and make a meaningful contribution to Africa’s economic and social development.
CoELIB firmly believes that the right people should guide the youth to achieve their best and have a footing for their involvement in Africa’s economic and social development. With its extensive network of mentors, the centre is well-positioned to provide young leaders with the guidance and support they need to succeed in business and drive sustainable economic growth in the region.
