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Jasiri Talent Investor program, based in Kigali, Rwanda, is looking for 55 entrepreneurs for mentorship and training in a year-long engagement.
In a statement, the programme, which is being supported by Allan and Gill Gray Foundation, announced that the successful candidates will be flown to Rwanda where they stand a chance to interact with equally ambitious co-founders while receiving the much-needed support to create thriving businesses.
It is looking for individuals aged between 25 years and 35 years who exhibit an exceptional entrepreneurial drive. They will be accorded the tools, resources and guidance they need to launch high-growth ventures.
Among the resources is a monthly stipend as well as intensive coaching, mentoring, and linkages with industry experts.
An aerial view of Nairobi City's skyline dated October 2020. FILE EYECONIC MEDIA“We are excited to open applications for our third cohort and look forward to recruiting aspiring entrepreneurs across Rwanda, Kenya and Ethiopia.
"We believe responsible entrepreneurship is at the center of community transformation. We encourage young achievers who aspire to realise their entrepreneurial aspirations to apply,” stated Allan and Gill Gray Foundation Rwanda Country Director Aline Kabanda.
"This fully-funded one-year program takes a long-term holistic approach to develop entrepreneurs by providing them with the time and space to identify Market-Creating Innovation and product-market fit," read a statement from Jasiri Website.
Successful candidates will be accorded a flight to Kigali as well as a monthly stipend of Ksh29,500 (USD250). They will also undergo a training in five key stages including entrepreneurship essentials, team formation, prospecting, validation and venture creation.
The founders who then choose to have their start-ups anchored in Nairobi, will be facilitated with a flight to the city in the sun and a monthly stipend of Ksh118,000 (USD1,000).
How to Apply
Jasiri describes its ideal candidate as an individual desire and commitment to build an innovative high-growth venture and should be a team player with a demonstrable history of entrepreneurial action.
Interested candidates are advised to register and create an account on the Accelerator Application platform through the Jasiri Accelerator Programme at jasiri.acceleratorapp.co/application/new.
After you have registered on the platform, you will then receive a notification that will prompt you to complete the form and submit it on the platform.
Applicants are also advised to complete the entrepreneurial intentions assessment within 7 days from which Successful applicants will move to the next stage.
Other tests in the process include innovation scenario assessment that includes a pitch video as well as Jasiri Psychometric Test.
Jasiri, which has already accepted two cohorts, credits Rwanda as its regional hub.
A Rwandan Flag overlooking a city. BBC
The United Kingdom government has urged Kenyans planning to travel to the country to plan six weeks in advance due to delays in visas.
UK High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott said the delay being experienced is a global challenge at the moment.
"I want to offer my sincere apologies to Kenyans for the delays in the UK visas It is a global challenge, it is not Kenya specific this is due to a huge backlog as a result of visa applications during Covid-19 that were not processed."
"The various global issues and crises that are going off at the moment but also unprecedented demand for visas is also a reason for the delay," she said.
The commissioner said that in 2019, there were 300,000 students across the World who had applied to study in the UK but in 2022, the number doubled to 600,000.
"Also due to the pressure on the service we are not able to offer our usual priority visa service, so if you are a business person used to getting your visa in five days, I'm really sorry but it's going to take six weeks," she said.
She said the six weeks begin after the visit to the visa application and not during the online form application day.
Marriort regretted the delays experienced and assured Kenyans the UK visas International are processing the backlogs as quickly as they can and it will take a few months to be back to normal operations. By