EldoHub has been selected as one of just 12 Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) from across Africa to participate in the IYBA-SEED Regional Expansion of Green Industries Program. This is a massive opportunity for us to champion green innovation and help Kenyan startups scale their impact far beyond our borders.

What Is the IYBA-SEED Program?

The IYBA-SEED Project, which stands for Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Supporting Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development, is a major initiative designed to boost decent employment for young people and women by strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems across five key countries: Kenya, Senegal, Togo, Benin, and South Africa. This specific regional expansion program is a collaboration between IYBA-SEED and Bond’innov. Its core focus is to:

• Connect key players in the green industry ecosystem across the region.
• Strengthen the capacity and networks of ESOs like EldoHub.
• Foster regional success stories by helping young green businesses expand into new markets.

Our Journey and What’s Next

Over the next 18 months, EldoHub will be working hand-in-hand with a powerful regional network of partners to equip, connect, and showcase green innovators from Kenya. We’ll be developing and implementing a tailored acceleration service that combines hands-on capacity building, market-driven strategies, and growth-focused coaching. Our goal is to position Kenyan green startups to scale sustainably, compete globally, and lead locally in driving Africa’s green transition.

We’ve already begun this exciting journey by attending an onboarding event in Dakar, Senegal. This initial meeting brought together all 12 ESOs and consulting companies from the five partner countries. We had the chance to:

• Network with peers and build connections with other BDS providers from across the continent, including Nakuru Box, Kenya Chamber and SOMO from Kenya and Agence de Développement des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (ADEPME Benin), Impact Plus Consulting Group, Benin, TMSU International, InnovUp Togo, ADEPME Senegal, Propella Incubator, SA and the Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) from South Africa.
• Engage with institutional and financial stakeholders like FONSIS and I&P, creating a foundation for future regional investment partnerships for our startups.
• Learn about the SEED Expansion Box (SEB), a unique digital toolkit that will guide our training and mentoring processes.

This program is not just about training and mentorship; it’s about creating a tangible, lasting impact. We will be selecting 1 to 3 green industry startups to support in their regional expansion. While there is no direct funding for the startups themselves, EldoHub will receive extensive support through “Training of Trainers” sessions, ongoing coaching, and expert advisory services.

The Road Ahead

• Training of Trainers (ToT): We’ve begun our internal training sessions using the SEB toolkit, which will run through December 2025. This will equip our team with the tools needed to effectively mentor and guide our selected startups.
• Startup Selection: We’ll host a pitch battle in late December or January to select the most promising green businesses to join our cohort. We’ll be looking for innovators ready to take their solutions to a new level and a new market.
• Regional Expansion: We’ll work with our selected startups to identify and enter new markets, whether it’s another county in Kenya or a neighboring country like Tanzania or Uganda.
• Showcase Opportunities: The program will provide invaluable visibility, allowing our startups to participate in events and Demo Days that can attract investor interest and new partnerships.

EldoHub is proud to collaborate with partners like Bond’innov, Enabel, and other leading ESOs from across Africa. We are ready to take on the role of a regional champion for green entrepreneurship and contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future for Africa. Stay tuned for updates as we work to empower the next generation of green industry leaders!. Interested in our green programs or a partner looking to collaborate? Reach out to us to learn more about our commitment to building a greener, more sustainable future for Africa.