Forget Shark Tank; Kenyan Startups Get Their Own Lion’s Den

Forget ABC’s Shark Tank; Kenyan Startups Get Their Own Lion’s Den TV Series

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) has launched Lion’s Den, a TV series similar to ABC’s Shark Tank. Where startup entrepreneurs with innovative businesses ideas pitch their product before a team of investors, and the most viable businesses will walk away with funding to scale their operations.

KCB recently launched a KES 50 Billion program seeking to create jobs and skills development in Kenya. Lion’s Den TV series is part of this program.

We are proud to be part of this exciting phase as the youth increasingly take up greater sway in the revolutions and pace of the economy in the coming years. They are the holders of the greatest ideas, the energy, and the commitment that is needed to drive the transformation,” said Angela Mwirigi, the Director Marketing & Communications at KCB.

As a Bank, we are committed to ensuring they realize their dreams through providing platforms that will create an enabling environment for these opportunities.”

KCB has partnered with the Nation Broadcasting Division to air Lion’s Den episodes on a weekly basis. The show does have an affiliation with U.S. and U.K.’s version the Shark Tanks and Dragon’s Den.

Must Read: Black founded Startup – Sworkit gets the biggest Shark Tank investment in the show’s history

Amber Prior, Executive Producer at   QBG Kenya, said, “We are greatly looking forward to making an exciting and world-class TV series that will have a significant impact in driving entrepreneurship in Kenya. We have been working with SPT to bring this TV format here for some time, and QBF is delighted to be in collaboration with KCB and NTV to see the project come to life.”

The Lion’s Den TV is part of the KCB Group’s 2Jiajiri Program seeking to empower at least 500,000 youths over the next five years. The program is open to small and informal businesses. The program also entails a business challenge for startups where young entrepreneurs will be required to submit their business ideas for vetting, and viable ideas will get funding to kick start their operations.

Related: The 3 Sharks (Daymond, Mark & Barbara) That Traveled to Kenya for the #GES2015 Summit

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