Eldoret Forum Puts Mentorship at the Center of Youth Enterprise Growth
Founders in Eldoret turn to mentorship and peer learning as access to funding and market linkages remains uneven outside major cities
More than 100 entrepreneurs gathered in Eldoret for a mentorship forum focused on supporting youth and women-led businesses, with organisers positioning guidance and networks as critical to growth outside Nairobi.
The event, held at EldoHub, brought together county officials, enterprise agencies and private sector actors, including Netherlands-based non-profit international development agency SNV and the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority, to address persistent barriers facing small enterprises.
Participants pointed to limited access to finance, constrained market linkages and gaps in business development services as the main pressures on startups in regional towns.
Focus on practical support, not just networking
Organisers structured the forum around working sessions rather than formal panels, allowing founders to engage directly on issues such as compliance, pricing, and customer retention.
A series of sector-based learning labs formed the core of the programme, with entrepreneurs exchanging experiences on market validation and financial management. The approach leaned on peer learning, with facilitators stepping in to guide rather than lead discussions.
EldoHub’s leadership framed the gathering as part of a broader effort to expand access to innovation infrastructure beyond major cities.
Mentorship framed as a decision-making tool
Speakers from SNV and partner programmes emphasised mentorship as a practical tool rather than an abstract concept. Guidance from experienced operators, they argued, helps founders navigate early-stage uncertainty and avoid costly errors.
“A mentor may not solve every challenge but can guide entrepreneurs to think critically and make better decisions,” said Nduta Ndirangu of SNV.
The forum also linked participants to the IYBA-SEED programme, which is designed to strengthen enterprise support systems tailored to youth and women founders.
Growing interest in green and circular businesses
Several startups showcased at the event focused on sustainability, particularly in waste management and circular economy models. Organisers said this reflects a gradual expansion of green enterprise activity beyond pilot stages.
The inclusion of these businesses pointed to changing priorities among support programmes, with environmental considerations increasingly tied to funding and mentorship pipelines.
County and national agencies expand outreach
Institutions including the Uasin Gishu County Government and the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations used the forum to deepen engagement with entrepreneurs operating outside established industrial centres.
Officials said continued collaboration between public agencies, development partners and local hubs would be necessary to sustain enterprise growth in counties.
Organisers said the event connected more than 100 founders to mentorship networks and support systems, reinforcing Eldoret’s position as an emerging centre for entrepreneurship support in western Kenya.
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