This archive report was first published on 8 August 2019.
On a typical day in the startup world, we often lament the slow pace of growth in Kenya's enterprise sector. However, beneath the surface, startups are eager to collaborate and partner with others to break scale.
As we head into the festive season, it's a good time to reflect on how to grow a business in Kenya. According to Keith Jones, founder of the SW7 technology accelerator, the key lies in engaging with commercial intent, rather than simply reacting to market trends.
Here are three key takeaways from Jones' presentation:
- Engage with commercial intent, rather than simply setting up offices or programmes as a reaction to market trends.
- Move beyond sponsoring hackathons for PR and feel-good purposes, and instead put skin in the game with an auditable process of engagement.
- Focus on tangible metrics, such as the number of commercial deals closed and the speed at which they achieve a baseline return on investment.
By following these principles, startups can drive transactional value, increase book value, and attract other capital partners. Ultimately, growing a business in Kenya requires a willingness to collaborate and innovate.
