Judges Announced for the 2020 YEPI Entrepreneurship Summit Pitch Competition!

YEPI has announced the four judges set to evaluate startups competing at the inaugural YEPI Entrepreneurship Summit Pitching Competition, to be held in Mombasa, February 8, 2020 at Sai Rock Beach Hotel from 8:00am – 5:00pm.

The judging panel is comprised of Mohammed Gharib, Founder Uhired.Me, July Maingi Portfolio Manager, TechBridge Investment, Heidi Mumia, Public Servant and SME Advisor and Dansean Mugambi, Founder Dankiz Arts & Creations.

A live audience, as well as this panel of expert judges, will discover advancements in various sectors of businesses on YESMombasa2020 Pitch Competition at Sai Rock Beach Hotel. During the fourth annual event, 8 interactive startup companies from 3 counties across the coast region will compete for their chance to win. These startups will dazzle a live audience with their business pitch and Q&A with our panel of judges. The winning startup will win prizes and in-kind support from YEPI and Partners including 6 months’ free incubation at YEPI’s CE-Hub, a one-on-one investor meeting, mentorship with judges, free marketing package and continuous business development support.

YEPI relies on hand-picked judges, qualified to determine the viability of a startup based on their demonstrated business experience. The judging process will determine which of the finalists has the most innovative product or service with potential for social impact, profitability and how the YEPI experienced has positioned them as the best entrepreneurs to execute the business. These individuals have agreed to contribute their expertise toward the success of the YEPI Entrepreneurship Summit.

“Thank you for the invitation. It’s always a pleasure being part of the summit and I will be happy to attend and join the panel of judges, God willing,” Says Heidi Mumia.

Mohamed Gharib is an experienced Researcher and Entrepreneur passionate about the youth and social enterprise development. Coming from a technology consultancy background, Mohamed holds a Bachelor of I.T and an Msc in Technology Management from Staffordshire University. In 2011, he co-founded uhired.me a recruitment portal targeting non-profits in Africa. As VP for East Africa at 1000 Alternatives, Mohamed has gained considerable experience managing Innovation in the Youth Startup Ecosystem.

Judy Maingi is the current Portfolio Manager at Techbridge Investments. She has over 10 years’ experience in banking and investments and has worked on various projects with IFC targeted to entrepreneurs and startups on Business Improvement and enhancing financial access. She also is a CFA on foundations of global Investments. Judy has an MBA from the University of South Wales and is a mentor with Reality Cheque for startups group. She is also very passionate about empowering the youth in Africa through developing talents and enjoys working with young people to alienate poverty in Africa.

Heidi Mumia is a public sector professional with extensive experience in Entrepreneurship Development and SME support. She has worked with various SMEs to develop sound business strategies. She currently works in the field of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs in the Republic of Kenya. Heidi is passionate about youth development and has served as an advisor and mentor in various youth development programs including Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program, Queen’s Young Leaders, Hatua Likoni and Akili Dada. Heidi holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Finance) from Maseno University and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Public Administration at Kenyatta University.

Dansean Mugambi is an award-winning Interior designer and the Founder and CEO of one of the fastest growing Interior design Companies in Kenya, Dankiz Arts and Creations ltd. He is a Tony Elumelu Foundation alumnus with great experience and success in the business sector. Dan has appeared on the NTV show ‘The Lion’s Den’, featured on KTN TV show ‘The Entrepreneur’, featured on several newspaper and magazine articles i.e. ‘The Business Daily’ and has been honored as an Entrepreneur of the Year (2016) in the Building Bridges Road to Nairobi Entrepreneurial Competition. Dan is an ordinary man with extraordinary dreams that are in many ways… only just beginning.

The competition, the fourth of its kind to be held by YEPI, will be taking place on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Sai Rock Beach Hotel in Mombasa’s North.

Registration to the summit is open here and will close on Friday, January 31. Reserve your space to see the exciting YEPI Entrepreneurship Summit Pitch Competition live in February