YEPI launches the Governors StartUp Challenge

An innovative entrepreneurship ecosystem hub where young people compete to design projects that solves community challenges.

Youth Empowerment Program Initiative (YEPI), a unique and result oriented youth led organization in Mombasa, today launched its much anticipated The Governors StartUp Challenge (GSC), during the YEPI 2ND Annual Entrepreneurship & Networking Dinner at Sairock Beach Hotel, Mombasa, Kenya.

This innovative entrepreneurship ecosystem hub is designed to help young people in Mombasa to learn, design and earn by building sustainable businesses while at the same time developing new solutions to community challenges.

Following the first-year pilot phase of the Governors startup challenge, GSC will promote entrepreneurship ecosystem and develop innovative, tailor-made approaches to scale and support youth sustainable enterprises that combat extreme poverty, environment, leadership, maritime and education challenges in Mombasa, Kenya.

As a result, there will be an increase in creativity, innovation and employment opportunities to over 300 youth in Mombasa while imparting them with skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Youth will also have a greater understanding of the approaches and tools provided by The Governors StartUp Challenge to further increase entrepreneurship mindset in order to address unemployment and preventing and countering radicalization and violent extremism.

Youth will also learn best practices in business and leadership through entrepreneurship boot camps, mentorship, site visits and access to ongoing business resources.

“We’re glad to partner with Swahilipot Hub to drive and support inclusive economic growth and address the vulnerability that youth face due to unemployment in Mombasa, Kenya.” said the Founder and Executive Director of YEPI, Amani Katana. “And we are also open to more partnership and collaboration.”

Since 2014 YEPI has been in the forefront in supporting healthy business environment and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Mombasa. YEPI has held over 30 successful programs in entrepreneurship, leadership and environment, created over 300 new jobs and increased

access to entrepreneurship training and mentorship to over 1500 youth in the Coast Region.