Nailab, Close the Gap and 1%Club have partnered to launch LEAP² Innovation Challenge to fuel entrepreneurship in Kenya and facilitate the digital transition in order to create (self-)employment and to promote socially responsible entrepreneurship in emerging countries.
The LEAP² Innovation Challenge targets digital that aim to see vulnerable groups to enjoy democratic rights, help them have equal access to basic services, participate in public life, and to be financially and economically independent. The three firms will select ten innovations by crowdfunding and working on a business case of their choice.
Nailab, Close the Gap and 1%Club will select ten innovations, guide them to work on a business case of their choice and help them crowdfund for one month and connect them to investors, partners and mentors globally. During the final on July 4th 2017 all ten innovations will pitch their innovation to impact investors, local corporates and other stakeholders.
Innovations can apply until May 24th. On May 26th the three firms will announce the ten innovations who will join the challenge. On June 6th a crowdfund training and co-creation will be organised at the Nailab where the mentors will share all the ins and outs about crowdfunding before entrepreneurs start the campaign month. During the co-creation startups will be matched to their coach who will be with them the whole month. Close the Gap will match the amount you raised once you are at 50% with a maximum of €5000.
All ten crowdfunding campaigns will run until July 4th. The challenge ends with a spectacular final in Nairobi. During the final the ten innovation teams pitch their results.