Our Story
My journey into training and mentorship was inspired by my extensive experience in the financial services sector, specifically in Banking. Over the course of 15 years, I've had the privilege of working in various roles within the Credit department; Credit Analysis, Credit Risk, Credit Administration, both in supervisory and also in Management. Throughout my career, I've observed a significant decline in loan applications for start-ups. Financial institutions often deem start-ups as “High-Risk” ventures due to their owner’s perceived lack of experience or proof of viability. This led to a 100% decline in all loan applications from the founders. Notice, majority of financial institutions Core function is lending and their Credit policies clearly prohibit lending to start-ups. Their Nature of financing, which is mostly Debt financing, considers indicative turnovers as imperative in qualifying a client for funding (Debt) during the Credit underwriting process. In essence, financial institutions do not finance “ideas”.
This observation sparked a deep concern within me. I realized that there was a gap in the market that needed to be addressed, at the earliest. Indeed majority of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) lack the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage their businesses and attract potential financiers. This was a problem I felt compelled to solve, and thus, the idea for “Readied for Business start-up incubator” was born.
At Readied for Business, we are more than just a start-up incubator. We are a platform that equips SMEs and MSMEs with the requisite skills to navigate the business world confidently. We provide them with the tools they need to understand their businesses better, manage them effectively, and present them attractively to potential financiers. Our goal is to bridge the gap between these businesses and potential financiers, reducing the perceived risk and increasing their chances of securing the necessary funding.
As a Business we are uniquely positioned to offer a comprehensive range of services to our clients. We understand the challenges that SMEs and MSMEs face, and we are committed to helping them overcome these hurdles. We believe that with the right training and support, these businesses can thrive and contribute significantly to Kenya's economy and Africa as a whole.
Starting Readied for Business has been an exciting and fulfilling journey. It's a venture that combines my passion for finance with my desire to make a positive impact on the business landscape in Kenya. I am thrilled to be at the forefront of this initiative, and I look forward to seeing the transformation that our services will bring to start-up SMEs and MSMEs in the country and the entire continent of Africa.
See you at the top
Best Wishes
Samuel Hare KitsaoFounder and First Director
Readied for Business Startup Incubator