The Launch and Grow is a programme in business leadership for women in Kenya promoted by the Women for Africa Foundation in collaboration with the University of Nairobi at Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies (WMI), Babson College and Banco Santander. The project aims to empower and build capacity among women entrepreneurs in emerging and established businesses. The objective is to provide the project beneficiaries with a unique learning experience which is designed to foster success in their businesses.
Women are a powerful force for economic growth and development, making important contributions to the economy as labour providers, care-givers for their families and entrepreneurs. Despite their enormous potential to the contribution of economic growth and development women are faced by a myriad of challenges. The most important challenges in the business environment include lack of mentorship between senior and junior entrepreneurs. The Launch and Grow Program was an opportune project implemented to offer training among women entrepreneurs in Kenya.
The programme involves one-week intensive core course implemented by Babson College, in Boston USA. Thereafter the women entrepreneurs are involved in one-year mentorship program at the WMI. The mentorship program entails webinars and face to face discussions and experience sharing on women business environment issues that include finance, growth, corporate governance, branding and marketing