The Chase Bank Enablis ILO business plan competition which has since become an annual event gave another fresh start to technology entrepreneur Gatumia Gatumia of Recon Digital. He was the overall winner in the entrepreneurial competition attended by 100 finalists out of over 400 countrywide entries. Gatumia, a certified Autodesk Maya Animator won Kshs. 500,000 as the overall winner with his Information Communication and Technology category entry
Entrepreneurs were trained on Presentation skills, Financial Management, Marketing, Business Systems, Legal issues of setting up a business, Integrating ICT in Business and aligning businesses to Vision 2030. After a 4 day boot camp at Inooreno University where they were trained the winners were selected.
7 category winners in; Agribusiness & Agro Processing, Arts, Sports, Leisure & Recreation, Business and Professional Services, Green and Ecological Business, Information & Communication Technology, Manufacturing and Construction and Media, Marketing and Communication were awarded a cumulative Ksh 3.5 million ranging from Kshs. 100,000 to Kshs. 500,000. Cash awards were also given to the most innovative business plan as well as the youngest entrepreneur award.
Words of Gatumia at the acceptance of the award were, “At RECON-Digital we believe that many people all over the world would really enjoy seeing well-made animation products that tell African stories featuring African characters. There is still far too little African animation out there and though it is an uphill task, we are working hard to build a profitable business that will play a part in bringing African Animation to the world.”
Other winners were;
24 years Oscar Kimani Maina who has done accelerated entrepreneurship course at the University of Connecticut won Ksh. 500,000 in the Media, Marketing and Communication category. He plans to launch a business magazine in 2012. The award was presented by Business Daily.
28 years Lizzy Kanyua who holds a degree in Science in computer systems won Ksh. 500,000 in the Arts, Sports, Leisure & Recreation category for her business expansion- Kentmere Gardens which is a multi-functional guest house which she refers to as a boutique hotel . The award was generously sponsored by Safaricom Foundation.
25 years Eric Muthomi owner of Stawo Foods and Fruits also won Ksh. 500,000 sponsored by Safaricom Foundation in the Agri Business Agro Processing category. The company runs a banana processing factory where they make banana powder/ flour for baking and cooking.
39 years old Kenneth Ndua Mitambo owner of Active Talents Inclusively Company was awarded Ksh. 100,000 for being the most innovative after he developed a stove that is able to perform 5 tasks while cooking using wood fuel. He holds Master’s degree in community care. Inoorero University sponsored this category.
47 years old Valentine Odhiambo Mingeyi owner Bamato Environmental & Sanitation Enterprises won Ksh 500,000 in the Green and Ecological Business category for his genius waste recycling business that is producing items for sale including necklaces, baskets, pillows and hats. His product will contribute to achievement of vision 2030 and address some MDG goals. International Labour Organization sponsored the green category.
35 years old Dr. Paul Nganda Mwaniki owner of Kileleswa Medical Plaza Ltd was awarded Ksh 200,000 for his business plan of providing variety of healthcare and auxiliary services under one roof around the clock. His target market is residents of Nairobi’s kileleshwa and its environment.
22 years old Ian Joshua Ngugi won Ksh 500,000 for being the youngest finalist who also had a great idea in the Media, Marketing and Communication of signage advertising in public transport vehicles. The international Labour Organization’s Youth Entrepreneurship facility sponsored this award.
All the 100 finalists also won Chase Bank accounts which are already credited with Ksh. 5,000 which the bank hopes that the entrepreneurs will grow as their businesses grow.
