KCJF - Kenya Catalytic Jobs Fund

The Kenya Catalytic Jobs Fund is a £5M, 4-year program funded by UK Aid designed to test and support innovations that stimulate job creation in Kenya, especially for women and youth. Sinapis has been the fund manager for the KCJF since early 2020 and currently supports 19 companies in the KCJF portfolio. An independent panel of judges selected the Fund winners through an extremely competitive process of over 1,500 applicants, and three of the 19 are Sinapis alumni!

These growing companies in the manufacturing, agriculture, and informal sectors have collectively created 1,300 direct jobs and improved incomes for over 144,000 additional people since they received funding from KCJF. After running three annual pitch competitions to select the current portfolio, the project entered its final phase—helping these 19 companies scale their innovative solutions and attract additional investment.

Several grantees have successfully raised Series A funding, and another was acquired by one of Kenya’s fastest-growing tech startups. Beyond business development and job creation, KCJF promotes innovation and growth by sharing key lessons from the Fund's companies. KCJF runs quarterly roundtables in Nairobi, bringing together all stakeholder groups to discuss various challenges facing small businesses and how to work together to overcome them.

The KCJF team also produced several learning papers highlighting the innovations across the portfolio, providing insights and recommendations for other companies in similar sectors. These papers offer an exciting glimpse into some of Kenya's most interesting small businesses and how they are working to create job opportunities within the country.

Visit KenyaCatalyticJobsFund.org to learn more

"Sinapis has hugely contributed to our business's growth, sustainability, and success. They have helped link us to potential investors/funding opportunities, publicized our business to the market, and provided ongoing strategic advice."

Leah Imaita
Co-Owner, Jazza Centre

"This is one program every business owner should consider enrolling in. The benefits are immeasurable. I'm a beneficiary. Thank you, Sinapis!"

Joseph Gichunge
Co-Founder & CEO, Jazza Centre

"Sinapis gave me a full kit to use to start my business."

Niyonzima Pierre
CEO & Founder, Safe Sana

"At Sinapis I gained the skills I needed in order to manage my business. I also learned how to raise funds from investors."

Murerwa Xavier
CEO, Gishuri Chicken Organic Farm

"Sinapis was instrumental in improving my general business management, time allocation, and building strong networking connections."

Geoffrey Kinaalwa
CEO & Founder, La' Marc

"The Sinapis Entrepreneur Academy unit economics class helped me determine my unit and how much it costs for me to produce one."

Alex Wanyu
Founder, Alexander Perfumery LTD

"When we started our Sinapis classes, we were asked to pick one business. I chose a new venture I was getting into - speaking. I would never have imagined that just over a year later I would be speaking on the biggest stage - TED. May this be a testimony that Kingdom business has a benefit here and in Heaven."

Robert A. Belle
CEO, SMIP Consultancy

"Sinapis gave me conviction to know that you can still do business the right way - The Kingdom Business Way. You do not have to bribe or pay your way into a contract. Hard work, faith, and prayer works wonders. I am truly grateful for this."

Brian Gacheru
CEO, Pristine Linen & Laundry Limited

"I loved the Kingdom Business aspect and approach in the program. I am more enlightened than I was when I joined the program. It is very worthwhile."

Margaret Njenga
Founder, Margarita Bakes