FAQs

Established in 2024, the Bahari Boost Challenge Fund is a US $1 Million initiative supporting young men and women running enterprises across Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River, and Mombasa. The fund seeks to foster enterprise growth and create dignified, fulfilling work opportunities for young entrepreneurs, particularly young women, in Kenya's coastal region, with a focus on selected Blue Economy value chains. In addition to financial support, the fund provides mentorship, business development services, and access to networks that can help enterprises thrive. It aims to build a robust portfolio of innovative Micro and Small enterprises and collaborate with existing market actors to create investment vehicles, paving the way for scaling impact, establishing positive credit histories for young men and women, and enhancing their access to mainstream financial resources. Recipients are required to adhere to specific reporting and spending guidelines to ensure transparency and effective use of the funds, contributing to the overall accountability and success of the initiative.

The fund is restricted to young entrepreneurs trained and supported by Local Organizations namely Community  Based Environmental Conservation (COBEC), Pamoja Pwani Network (PPN), Kipini Integrated Community Center (KICE), Action Life, Lamu Youth Affairs, Faza Youth Group, USTADI  Foundation, Kwetu Training Center,), Kwale Recycling Center (KRC) and Big Ship CBO particularly  women, operating in Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River, and Mombasa. 

Bahari Booth Fund Challenge Fund Value Chains

FISHERIES & AQUACULTURE, CULTURE, TOURISM & SPORTS NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT & CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Aquaculture 

•  Tilapia aquaculture 

•  Shrimp aquaculture 

•  Fish feed creation

•  Finfish cage farming

Tourism 

• Eco Restaurants 

• Tourism guides

Environmental protection 

• Blue carbon finance through environmental rehabilitation

• Mangrove Restoration

Mariculture 

• Oyster farming

• Seaweed cultivation

• Sea cucumber aquaculture

• Mollusk farming

Culture 

• Artisanal craft supply and sales

• Nature trails and activities

Land-based production  (Regenerative practices)

• Coconut farming

Apiculture

• Honey Production

• Beeswax Production

• Propolis Production

Fisheries use 

• Sustainable fishing methods

• Fresh fish cold storage 

• Seafood transport 

• Octopus fishing and processing

Resource management

• Charcoal’ briquettes creation 

• Waste management, recycling and repurposing (solid and non-solid)

• Small Enterprises (Tier 1): Target group-owned small enterprises in sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and creating lasting jobs. A small enterprise is defined as a business with an annual turnover of KES 1,000,001 to KES 3,000,000 and employing 10-49 employees.

  • BB Challenge Funding Ticket Size: KES 450,000 to KES 650,000 

• Micro Enterprises (Tier 2): Target enterprises beyond the startup phase, concentrating on poverty alleviation and economic impact, with a focus on both young men and women entrepreneurs. A micro-enterprise is defined as a business with an annual turnover ranging from KES 1,000 to KES 1,000,000 and employing 1 to 10 individuals.

• BB Challenge Funding Ticket Size:  KES 150,000 to KES 450,000

• Pre-Enterprises (Tier 3): targets aspiring young women entrepreneurs in Kenya's coastal counties, focusing on poverty alleviation. It provides seed funding to kick-start ventures and validate business ideas within the Blue Economy. A pre-enterprise is defined as an existing business with an annual turnover of less than KES 1,000 and a self-employed business owner.

  • BB Challenge Funding Ticket Size:  KES. 50,000 to KES 150,000 

Applicants should apply for the funding tier that best matches their current business stage. Multiple applications across tiers for the same business are not allowed.

Applications can be submitted both online and manually. 

Choose the appropriate application form,  depending on the stage of your enterprise,

• Pre-Enterprises

• Micro Enterprises

• Small Enterprises.

Online application

Click here to proceed with the application.

• • Fill out the application form thoroughly with detailed and accurate information about your The documents are:

  • Valid Government-issued National Identification Card.

  • Business Registration Certificate (where applicable).

  • Evidence of Business Ownership (where applicable).

  • Participation Certificate received by one of the 5 local organizations.

Manual applications are also accepted.

• Click here to download and print the application form.

• Alternatively, contact or visit your local organization to get a copy of the application form.

• You are encouraged to seal your application including the required documents and deposit them in the local organization's suggestion box. 

The application window opens on April 8th 2025 and closes on April 30th 2025 at 23:59 EAT. 

Applications  will be processed on a rolling basis 

Small Enterprises

• Established group-owned small enterprises with annual revenues of less than Kes 3,000,000.

• Have business registration documents or compliance documents which include a business permit, list of group members including contact details and identification numbers, .

• Enterprise operating in the three thematic areas, Sustainable Fisheries, Blue innovation and entrepreneurship, and Marine conservation and tourism

• Evidence of a management team and governance structure.

• Clear expansion strategy beyond the local market.

• Completion of all BlueBiz modules with a participation certificate.

Micro enterprises

• Micro-enterprises with a well-outlined and tested business model and revenue generation.

• Businesses in the five coastal counties with potential for growth and impact.

• Enterprise operating in the three thematic areas, Sustainable Fisheries, Blue innovation and entrepreneurship, and Marine conservation and tourism

• Annual revenues not exceeding Ksh 1,000,000.

• Support innovative and sustainable growth strategies.

• Completion of all BlueBiz modules with a participation certificate.

Pre enterprises

• Women entrepreneurs in the ideation stage i.e. only women are allowed to apply to this category.

• Businesses generate no revenue with a minimum of one employee.

• Enterprise operating in the three thematic areas, Sustainable Fisheries, Blue innovation and entrepreneurship, and Marine conservation and tourism

• Potential to create employment and alleviate poverty.

• Clear business development and growth plan.

• Completion of all BlueBiz modules with a participation certificate.

Exclusionary Criteria: The Bahari Boost Challenge Fund does not support activities related to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, weapons, gambling, or partisan politics. Applications involving these sectors will be disqualified.

The BlueBiz Program aims to create a pathway to dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for young women and men in Kenya's coastal communities. In partnership with Mastercard Foundation, TechnoServe, the initiative leverages the Blue Economy to eradicate poverty, drive economic growth, and protect ocean resources. Over a four year period (2023-2027), the program focuses on skills development, increased access to financial solutions, improved market linkages & networks, and enhanced leadership for young people in coastal communities. Implementation is carried out in partnership with local organizations.

The applications are reviewed by a committee consisting of Technoserve (Fund Manager), the Youth Advisory Council, and a representative from the referring Local organization to ensure transparency, inclusion, and fairness in the review process.

Kindly note that the Bahari Boost Challenge Fund is free for all applicants. If anyone is asking you to pay any amount of money in exchange for developing your business plan or pitch, please report it immediately by sending an email to nkoigu@tns.org. We will ensure the confidentiality of your information.

The Local Organizations may support in the application process and the participants are not required to provide any facilitation or remuneration of any kind. TechnoServe does not engage or work with any other parties to facilitate applications or training and will not ask for payment for any aspect of the Programme.