1,000 YE Start-Up Fund 2026

⏰ Deadline: November 30, 2026

Applications are now open for the 1,000 Young Entrepreneurs Start-Up Fund 2026, an initiative promoted by Aiducation International to help aspiring entrepreneurs in Kenya transform promising business ideas into viable ventures.

The current Stage 1 competition is designed for young entrepreneurs who have an innovative business idea or an early-stage minimum viable product. No specific sector or theme is required: applicants may propose solutions addressing business, social or community challenges.

Selected entrepreneurs can receive up to US$1,000 in seed funding, together with mentoring, practical business development support and access to a network of entrepreneurs and industry professionals.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applicants must:

Be under 30 years of age at the time of application.
Be a resident of Kenya.
Be able to communicate fluently in English.
Have a business idea or an early-stage venture they wish to develop.
Be willing to receive feedback, test their idea and improve their business model.
Not be employed by Aiducation International or any of its affiliated partners.

Previous participation in an entrepreneurship course, workshop or programme is considered an advantage.

BENEFITS

Selected participants may receive:

Up to US$1,000 in seed funding to launch or develop their venture.
Mentoring from experienced professionals.
Support in developing and testing a minimum viable product.
Practical guidance to refine their business idea and business model.
Access to a network of entrepreneurs, mentors and industry professionals.

ELIGIBLE BUSINESS IDEAS

There is no fixed sector or thematic focus. Applicants should present an innovative idea and clearly explain:

The problem their business intends to solve.
The proposed product or service.
The target customers and market opportunity.
What makes the idea distinctive.
How they plan to develop the venture.

Applications are welcome from entrepreneurs at an early stage, and applicants do not need to have an established business or significant sales.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must prepare:

A valid national identity card or passport.
Evidence of participation in an entrepreneurship workshop or programme, where applicable.
A two-minute video introducing themselves and presenting their motivation, vision and business idea.
A business plan of no more than two pages, using either their own format or the template provided by the programme.

The application form also requests information about the proposed start-up, the applicant’s weekly time commitment, and whether the application is submitted individually or as part of a team.