Chivas unveils Sh100m global startup competition in Nairobi
Chivas Regal has unveiled the first edition of The Venture, a global search to find and support the next generation of start-ups, in Kenya.
During the launch at a Nairobi Hotel on Thursday, Chivas Regal hosted local social entrepreneurs for a chivalrous whisky dinner.
With over Sh100 million in funding and resources, The Venture is Chivas’ global search to find and support the next generation of start-ups that want to succeed whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others.
According to Denis Ochanine, Managing Director Pernod Ricard Kenya, The Venture inspires social entrepreneurs and those seeking positive change from around the world to pursue their ambitions and realise their potential.
“With a combination of entrepreneurial thinking and generosity at its heart, Chivas The Venture is inspired by the founding brothers, James and John Chivas, who realized early on that success is much richer when we share it with others,” he said.
“We are excited to launch The Venture in Nairobi as Kenya is ripe with remarkable entrepreneurs who are socially conscious and strive to positively impact the world,” he added.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Chivas The Venture was first launched in 2014 and over 3,500 social enterprises have applied for the chance to receive a share of the annual Sh100 million fund.
In 2015, Kenya’s WEFARM, a farming information platform came 2nd and secured Sh20 million for their social enterprise.
This year, Kenya is among 32 countries across 6 continents which will be taking part and applications will be accepted from any for-profit-startup that creates both financial value and a positive impact on the lives of others.
Only the most promising from each country will be selected as a global finalist for the chance to take part in an Accelerator Week programme and travel to Oxford, UK and will represent Kenya at The Venture final event in the USA, July 2017.
Deadline for Kenyan social entrepreneurs to make submission is 30th November 2016 at www.chivas.com/en-ke/the-venture
A panel of judges to be named after the launch will be tasked with the responsibility to coach, nurture and assess the selection of the 10 local finalists to represent Kenya at global stage next year.