Kickstart was established in Kenya
in 1991 to promote small business development in East Africa, but now has
operations in many parts of Africa and an office in California. The organization's approach is
based on five steps: research markets, design new technologies, train manufactures,
promote technologies, and monitor the impact. After researching profitable
markets, Kickstart has designed seven technologies for entrepreneurs. The
technologies include micro-irrigation, cooking oil presses, low cost construction,
sanitation, hay bailing, and transportation. All these technologies
cost under
$1000 making them affordable for small capital entrepreneurs. In addition, the
technologies can be locally mass produced in many areas of Africa.
Since 1991 Kickstart has helped to establish 50,000 new
businesses which create nearly $52 million in profits. These new businesses
have helped many families out of poverty while also improving the local economy
boosting the country's GDP. Today, the organization works mainly in Kenya, Tanzania,
and Mali
with smaller operations in 13 other African countries. For more information on
this organization please visit their website.
http://kickstart.org/home/
