Kua Ventures Surpasses $1 Million Milestone in Impact Investments for Kenyan SMEs
Kenya-based impact investment firm, Kua Ventures, has achieved a significant milestone by exceeding $1 million (approximately Ksh. 145 million) in funding committed to the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
This achievement follows a series of four funding rounds conducted over the past three years, resulting in the inclusion of 20 promising local SMEs into Kua Ventures’ portfolio.
Kua Ventures embarked on its investment journey in Kenya in 2020, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period when numerous businesses, particularly SMEs, were grappling with the economic repercussions of the crisis.
The firm responded by extending essential capital, guidance, and community support to assist SMEs in weathering the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. This holistic approach is underpinned by Kua Ventures’ three-pillar model encompassing Capital, Coaching, and Community (3Cs).
The Capital component entails the provision of growth capital typically ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 (approximately Ksh. 7 million to 14 million) through various instruments such as straight debts, revenue shares, and convertible notes. Recognizing that capital alone is insufficient for SME success, Kua Ventures offers Coaching in the form of one-on-one mentorship, aiding entrepreneurs in navigating different stages of their businesses.
Additionally, the firm fosters a Community of like-minded entrepreneurs who connect, collaborate, learn, and share their entrepreneurial experiences.
The 3C model by Kua Ventures significantly impacts the Entrepreneur, Enterprise, and Employee (3Es), unlocking business growth, enabling founders to achieve positive social impact in their communities, and creating more stable jobs, among other positive outcomes.
Madalena Santos, Operations Director at Kua Ventures, expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting Kenyan small businesses in making a social impact through job creation and poverty reduction. She revealed Kua Ventures’ plan to invest an additional $2 million by June 2024 to further empower entrepreneurs within its portfolio.
Peter Fry, Executive Director of Kua Ventures, highlighted the success of the 3C model, emphasizing that it effectively supports growth-oriented businesses led by impact-driven entrepreneurs across Kenya. Over the past three years, Kua Ventures-backed SMEs have directly contributed to the creation of over 200 jobs in Kenya, aligning with the firm’s mission to provide economic and spiritual resources to uplift individuals and communities from the grip of poverty.
With more t犀利士 han $1 million already committed to supporting Kenyan SMEs and an additional $2 million earmarked for expansion over the next 10 months, Kua Ventures stands poised to catalyze positive change in Kenya’s SME sector while fostering socio-economic progress for individuals and communities alike.