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JASIRI welcomes new cohort for talent investor programme
The Kigali-based JASIRI Talent Investor programme has announced its second cohort of high-potential aspiring entrepreneurs from Rwanda and Kenya. Starting this month, 52 fellows will embark on a journey of empowerment and business development.
This year, the programme received close to 1 500 applications from across East Africa. The entrepreneurs were selected based on JASIRI competencies. This includes being value-driven, resilient and demonstrating innovative problem solving, among others.
JASIRI is a one-year fully-funded entrepreneurship programme supported by Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies (AGGP). It supports entrepreneurs from idea generation to venture creation, and provides them with the tools and resources they need to launch high growth ventures, including intensive mentoring and coaching.
In October 2020, the government of Rwanda signed an agreement with AGGPR to promote entrepreneurship skills development and employment in the region. Rwanda is the regional hub of the program and six months later, JASIRI accepted its first cohort of fellows.
“We are thrilled to welcome another cohort of talented entrepreneurs from Rwanda and Kenya. The journey of an entrepreneur is never easy and success requires ambition, dedication and a positive attitude,” said Anthony Farr, chief executive of AGGPR.
“JASIRI is all about supporting, empowering and removing barriers to enterprise success and impact. Our partners in both countries continue to play a significant role in the work that we do and we are grateful for their support on this exciting journey.”
Rwanda country director for AGGP, Aline Kabanda, said the organisation is proud of its contribution to East Africa’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“This year’s cohort includes aspiring entrepreneurs from a diverse range of sectors. We congratulate you, we believe in your potential and we are ready to guide and support you over the next year. Being a JASIRI Fellow will no doubt supercharge your business growth.”
Tough selection process by JASIRI
AGGP’s country lead in Kenya, Roselyn Maranda-Kareithi, added, “Fellows, your exciting journey with JASIRI has just begun! Kudos for your exceptional efforts during our rigorous selection processes.
“Based on those achievements, we are confident that you will succeed and flourish. Throughout the JASIRI Talent Investor programme, take your discipline to another level – do something different every day, grow every day! Shine bright and make your family, your friends, and loved ones, as well as your community, nation and the African continent proud of you! Be counted, be brave, be JASIRI!”
Through the programme, the 52 JASIRI fellows will be guided throughout the process of ideation, validation, prototyping and the formalisation of a venture with market creating potential. They will be introduced and connected to equally ambitious
co-founders and business coaching experts who will support them on an individual, team, and business level.
JASIRI invests in, nurtures, and empowers entrepreneurs who benefit society and attack poverty through the creation of high impact businesses, creating new markets on the African continent.
