Standard Chartered Bank has today launched the Women in Tech Access to Capital initiative aimed at increasing women’s participation in business. The initiative will help women entrepreneurs access start-up financing and help grow their businesses.
As part of the Bank’s Futuremakers initiative, Standard Chartered Bank will initially provide Sh5m revolving funds that will enable Women in Tech (WiT) alumni access interest free and collateral free loans. The loans will be capped at KShs 100K for working capital and KShs 200K for capital expenditure with a 12-24 month repayment period.
Most Women-led enterprises are unsuccessful in securing finance as a result of high collateral requirements and failure by lenders to understand their business opportunity. The initiative will provide entrepreneurs access to interest free and collateral free loans. Additionally, the bank has lined-up training and engagement sessions with the WiTs to drive banking behaviour and further understand the needs from the entrepreneurs as their businesses grow and develop.
Out of the top five companies from last year’s WiT incubation program, Bena Care which provides home nursing services to people with life-limiting illnesses across the country experienced a 1224% increase in revenue and in the process doubling its staff numbers since starting the incubation program. Additionally, the company also raised Sh6.5 million as follow up funding in January 2021 from an international body for their placement platform in Ehealth funding.
On the other hand, Nature’s Touch, manufactures of nature-based skin care products recorded a 566% increase in revenue, doubling its staff numbers since the start of the program. Taste Afrique which processes agricultural produce and spices into natural food seasoning products called Chibundiro and Siri Spices, has so far increased its revenue fivefold and in the process increasing its staff by a quarter. The company received a grant of Sh1.3 million from Swiss Re Foundation.
Women in Tech program is part of the Bank’s community engagement strategy, Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, that aims at tackling the issue of inequality and promoting greater economic inclusion for young people in various communities and economies, with a focus on girls and women. The program is partnership with @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University Incubation Centre.
Each year the program trains more than 10 small and medium businesses leveraging on technology by offering mentorship, advisory, coaching, networking opportunities, access to seed capital and investor forums that help mould their businesses to international standards. 30 start-ups have participated to date, and 15 have been awarded one million each in seed funding. 41 businesses have so far gone through the incubation process with the first four cohorts attracting 1,150 applications.
