An incubation program supporting ecopreneurs in Kenya
The Restoration Factory is an innovative incubation program aiming at supporting Kenyan eco-entrepreneurs developing restoration projects.
An incubation program supporting ecopreneurs in Kenya
The Restoration Factory is an innovative incubation program aiming at supporting Kenyan eco-entrepreneurs developing restoration projects.
What is the
Restoration Factory?
For the second year running, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Bridge for Billions, along with the support of Partnerships For Forests (P4F), have joined forces to create an incubation program that will support up to 50 enterprises with the potential to restore natural ecosystems.
The Restoration Factory has been created to support the emergence of commercially-viable, community-inclusive, and climate-resilient businesses that restore ecosystems and preserve landscapes.
The program seeks to attract projects that show robust revenue generation perspectives and ambition to reach a critical mass.
We aim to build a diverse and attractive cohort demonstrating the commercial potential and wide adoption of nature-positive business models.
Program partners
About UNEP
For 50 years, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has coordinated a worldwide effort to confront the planet’s biggest environmental challenges.
Its mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
About Enabel
Enabel is the Belgian development agency. With its partners in Belgium and abroad, Enabel offers solutions addressing pressing global challenges: Climate Change, Urbanisation, Human Mobility, Peace and Security, Economic and Social Inequality, and Global Citizenship. Enabel manages about 150 projects in twenty countries, in Belgium, Africa and the Middle East.
About FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
Their goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.
About Bridge for Billions
Bridge for Billions, one of the largest entrepreneurship networks in the world, creates, designs and manages innovation programs with foundations, corporations and public entities that have benefited more than 2,900 entrepreneurs in more than 98 countries. Its objective is to facilitate access to entrepreneurial support for all types of entrepreneurs with a common purpose: boost innovation that solves the problems that truly matter and generate employment.
About Partnerships for Forests
Partnerships for Forests’ aims to catalyse, facilitate and accelerate change towards sustainable private sector investment, sustainable procurement practices and sustainable supply chains.
Through their incubator, grants and technical assistance (TA), they help selected partners move through the stages required to get to market. They operate according to a principle of additionality, combining the grants and TA with other organisation’s core funding, or subsidise activities that private sector companies or other partners should undertake themselves.
Meet our Local Implementing Partners
E4 Impact Foundation
E4I brings to the Restoration Factory program a wealth of local ecosystem knowledge, and experience in accelerating agroecological ecosystems, and applying circular economy models in agricultural value chains.
Mt. Kenya Hub
Mt. Kenya Hub is focused on innovation and impact, within the agribusiness, climate, and tech sectors. They have run various incubation and accelerator programs in Kenya and have supported over 2000 SMEs so far
Working with local incubators helps us to reach entrepreneurs effectively and closely, providing the community with resources and self-sufficiency.
Meet the Selected Startups
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Last year's entrepreneurs' impact and development
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Say they learnt to prove the viability of their project
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Say they learnt to prove the viability of their project
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Say they learnt how to better structure their business
Current status of the program
Application phase
After carefully designing and launching applications for the program, we received over 146 number of entrepreneur applications and 88 number of mentor applications.
Selection process
We are currently reviewing all the applications to select up to 47 entrepreneurs and 52 mentors that will take part of the program.
Matching
One of the most exciting parts of the program! Entrepreneurs and mentors will have the opportunity to meet each other online.
Once they have had several introductions, both mentees and mentors will submit their rankings in order to let us know who they think will be the best fit for their project's needs or who they could make the most impact on.
Based on the rankings, we will make the best mentor-mentee pairs.
Program starts
Now all entrepreneurs are ready to begin a 6-month incubation period to continue developing their business while getting the support they need from the mentors and group sessions to learn even more about the restoration sector, and network with other budding entrepreneurs..
Current status of the program
Application phase
After carefully designing and launching applications for the program, we received over XX number of entrepreneur applications and XX number of mentor applications.
Selection process
We are currently reviewing all the applications to select up to 50 entrepreneurs and mentors that will take part of the program.
Matching
One of the most exciting parts of the program! Entrepreneurs and mentors will have the opportunity to meet each other online.
Once they have had several introductions, both mentees and mentors will submit their rankings in order to let us know who they think will be the best fit for their project's needs or who they could make the most impact on.
Based on the rankings, we will make the best mentor-mentee pairs.
The program starts!
Now all entrepreneurs are ready to begin a 6-month incubation period to continue developing their business while getting the support they need from the mentors and group sessions to learn even more about the restoration sector, and network with other budding entrepreneurs..
The program in pictures
"What is certain is that this training has allowed me to maintain my good relations with the FAO, which is an important partner. I also met nice people who will remain in my heart. This training given me energy and confidence in myself to help others to progress. Thank you to the FAO, thank you to my two mentors, thank you to the whole Bridge team and as the young people here like to say: "we are together and we will stay together"
Do you want to know more about the program?
Why the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration?
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. It can help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction.
Find out more here: https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/
What are "restoration enterprises"?
Restoration enterprises put ecosystems’ restoration at the heart of their business model and operations. Further information on the need, role, and opportunities for restorative businesses is available from the platform of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration:
https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/types-ecosystem-restoration
What does the program offer?
The Restoration Factory is a mentoring and business incubation support program that assists entrepreneurs in developing enticing and attractive business models focused on the landscapes and ecosystems restoration.
- The program offers a 6-month curriculum blending online content and in-person check-ins.
- An online platform takes participants through an 8-module program covering market differentiation and business planning to maximize the commercial viability of restoration ventures.
- An assigned volunteer mentor helps participants weekly )through 1.5-hour video calls or in-person meetings) to test their business assumptions and gather feedback to further their online curriculum progression.
- A local Entrepreneurship Support Organization provides participants with access to their facility, local market knowledge, and tailored support.
How can I get involved?
If you want to get involved with this program please connect directly with Afia, Program Manager of the Restoration Factory Program.
Who are the participants?
We are now during the selection process, this means that out of all the applications we received from both entrepreneurs and mentors we will select the program participants.
Entrepreneurs offer solutions in the following sectors: goods (high-value crops and ingredients used for medicinal purposes, vegetation and livestock products, and upcycling of waste), and services (watershed services and ecotourism).
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Do you have any other questions?
Connect directly with Afia, Program Manager of the Restoration Factory Program.
