Balloon Ventures

We grow high potential small businesses in Kenya and Uganda. This creates safe, secure and fairly paid work where it’s needed most.

[Catalyst Fund @TheCatalystFund]

We have recently explored the role of #fintech #innovation in increasing the resilience of #climate vulnerable populations, and have selected our latest cohort based on these insights. Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/yrqw0FeRgY @carrarom

[Balloon Ventures @balloonventures]

Delighted to receive funding through the @DutchMFA supported Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (#cfye)
and to be working with @PalladiumImpact in delivery of the project! https://t.co/IPJL22HqB8

[Balloon Ventures @balloonventures]

Interesting piece on growth of digital credit in Kenya.

[FSD Kenya @FSDKe]

Entrants from outside the regulated sectors are increasingly offering #DigitalCredit. However, this is more by default rather than by design, writes @EdGwer. Read on for more insight into Kenya's credit market.
https://t.co/7aoHNaeHqN

#FinancialRegulation #InclusiveFinance

[INCLUDE Platform @INCLUDEplatform]

Great to see two innovative projects supported by @CFYEmployment in Uganda: @balloonventures & @hesocialimpact. Check out what is a #DecentJob according to Ugandan youth 👉https://t.co/IvRORNAocA

[NACUE @NACUE]

We’re less than one month away from #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek! 📣

Make sure your project gets the recognition it deserves by sharing your GEW initiatives with @unleashingideas online here
👉 https://t.co/bbBClX6d2o

[CFYE @CFYEmployment]

@joshbicknell is the co-founder of @balloonventures, a social enterprise working to unlock the potential of small & growing businesses in Kenya and Uganda to create good jobs. Josh will present Balloon Ventres at the #YouthAtHeart Forum on the 2nd of Nov.>>https://t.co/bc1EcmL5vC

[Balloon Ventures @balloonventures]

Interesting piece from @FSDKe on the opportunities and limitations of skills-based apprenticeships.

[FSD Kenya @FSDKe]

Apprenticeships allow youth to start earning a nominal income as they develop skills. However, they limit future prospects as higher-paying jobs require formal certifications.
More in this blog by @timmukata @gann12 & Abigail Steinberg: https://t.co/PDuWBy7QEk

#InclusiveFinance

[Citi @Citi]

An entrepreneurial mindset can open doors. Read more about #Citi Foundation's investments in #entrepreneurship programs for #youth and other lessons learned from our last six years of #Pathways2Progress programming: https://t.co/18dswZy5UU

[Balloon Ventures @balloonventures]

"The support has been immense - it's had a huge impact on my business". Larry on his work with @balloonventures & @Citi Fdn. We're delighted to be part of @Citi Fdn's $100m commitment to helping marginalised young people into meaningful work.
#pathways2progress
#100YouthVoices

[Balloon Ventures @balloonventures]

Very excited about the potential of this collaboration!

[MYAccounts @myaccountsug]

In #Mbale launching our partnership with Balloon Ventures to use #MYAccounts #automation and #businessintelligence platform to support #SME lending. #Data based credit for cheaper and more effecient capital for the #African #SME

[Balloon Ventures @balloonventures]

Great overview from @SpringImpact exploring effective ways to deliver mentorship micro, small and medium enterprises. Lots of *practical* guidance for orgs supporting informal firms. Supported by @Argidius.
https://t.co/FI46qS8jum

[Balloon Ventures @balloonventures]

"At a moment that requires worldwide solidarity, it is worth appreciating just how financially vulnerable individuals and families are." Important work here from @FSDKe

[FSD Kenya @FSDKe]

A majority of Kenyans work in the informal sector. Lack of formal safety nets means job losses & income reductions hit families harder. How will they weather the #COVID19 storm? Read the insights here: https://t.co/0Ly4jP38rn

#Covid19DiariesKenya #KomeshaCorona

[Balloon Ventures @balloonventures]

Absolute must read for anyone supporting informal sector businesses.

[WIEGO @WIEGOGLOBAL]

NEW: "The Informal Economy Revisited: Examining the Past, Envisioning the Future"

The new open-access book is the culmination of 20 years of pioneering WIEGO work on the #informaleconomy & includes contributions from leading scholars: https://t.co/d6JPp6Y14u

[ANDE East Africa @ANDEEastAfrica]

We are proud to announce the launch of the #Uganda Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Initiative-Phase 2. The @AspenANDE multi-year, multi-stakeholder initiative seeks to improve the business environment for SGBs in Uganda. Join us for the virtual launch!https://t.co/5FGySqZsJK

[Balloon Ventures @balloonventures]

This is a really nice summary from @amritasaha and @OpeyemiA on the @IDS_UK blog. Practical steps governments can take to support informal businesses managing impacts of Covid. https://t.co/3xZtPD67AL

[Balloon Ventures @balloonventures]

Must watch from @IDS_UK for orgs supporting informal businesses and their workers. https://t.co/sJbAzaEJeJ

[FSD Kenya @FSDKe]

Some Kenyan communities are turning to local cryptocurrencies to cushion themselves from the economic hardships occasioned by #Covid-19. Read @aprzhu’s @restofworld feature, with some insights from @FSDKe & @Finmarktrust.

#COVID19tracker #financialinclusion #Inclusivefinance

[Balloon Ventures @balloonventures]

@McKinsey thoughts on SME recovery from COVID. Covers need for simple access to business support initiatives and opportunity for governments accelerate growth of highest potential enterprises. https://t.co/yV6XuB3KHz

[Balloon Ventures @balloonventures]

Important reading for SGB support orgs in Uganda. Industrial Policy overview. Interested to see how role of Uganda Development Corporation develops. @cdaeastafrica @KASonline https://t.co/7boZZM4jV5

[Balloon Ventures @balloonventures]

Very useful resource from @nesstorg on gender lens investing in small businesses.
https://t.co/tHB88jmgHb