How to get funding, step by step
Our process is simple and clear. Most businesses go from application to funding in about three weeks. Here is exactly what happens at each step.
Four steps from application to funding
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About 15 minutes
1. Apply online
Fill in our short application form. Tell us about your business, how much funding you need, and what you will use it for.
- No fee to apply
- You can apply from your phone
- You do not need land or a title deed as security
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Within 10 working days
2. We review your plan
A member of our lending team reads your application carefully. We may call you with a few questions. Then we tell you if we can move to the next step.
- We reply to every application, even if the answer is no
- If it is "not yet", we tell you why and what to work on
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Week 2 to 3
3. We visit and meet you
A business advisor visits you at your business. We want to see how you work, meet your team and understand your customers.
- We look at your sales records together (a notebook is fine)
- We agree on the amount and a repayment plan that fits your cash flow
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Within 5 days of signing
4. Get funding and support
Once we both sign the agreement, the money is sent to your business bank or M-Pesa account. Your advisor then starts working with you.
- Monthly visits from your advisor for 12 months
- Bookkeeping help and introductions to buyers
What makes a strong business plan
Your plan does not need to be long or fancy. One or two pages is enough if it answers these questions clearly.
- What your business doesWhat you sell, who buys it, and why they choose you.
- How the business is doing todayYour rough monthly sales and costs. Estimates are fine.
- What you will do with the moneyA clear list, such as "a new oven for KES 280,000".
- How it will help you growFor example, more customers, more products or lower costs.
- How you will repayWhere the extra income will come from, and when.
- Who runs the businessYou, your team, and your experience in this work.
More than money
Every business we fund gets this support for free, for the first 12 months.
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Mentorship
A named business advisor who visits once a month and is a phone call away in between.
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Bookkeeping help
We set up simple records with you, on paper or on your phone, so you always know your profit.
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Market access
Introductions to supermarkets, schools, hotels, exporters and other businesses we work with.
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Training
Free monthly workshops on pricing, marketing, hiring and managing cash, in Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret and Mombasa.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a loan or a grant?
It is a loan. You repay it in monthly amounts over 6 to 24 months. We agree the repayment plan with you before you sign, so it matches when your business earns money.
What is the interest rate?
Our rates are fixed and shown clearly in your offer letter before you sign. There are no hidden fees and no charge for paying back early.
Do I need collateral, like land or a car?
No. We look at your business, your plan and your records instead. For larger amounts, we may ask for a guarantor.
How long must my business have been running?
At least one year. If your business is newer, we still want to hear from you. Our free training workshops are open to everyone.
Can I apply if I don't have written financial records?
Yes. Many of the businesses we fund started with sales written in a notebook, or with M-Pesa statements. Your advisor will help you build better records after funding.
What happens if I have a bad month?
Talk to your advisor as early as possible. We would much rather adjust your repayment plan than see your business struggle.
Ready to start?
The application takes about 15 minutes. Have your business details and a rough idea of your monthly sales ready.