NTV reality show to help Kenyan start-ups attract funding
NMG general manager TV, Linus Kaikai (left) with KCB director, marketing and communications Angela Mwirigi on April 26, 2016 during the signing of a co-operation between KCB, Quite Bright Films Kenya (QBF), Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and Nation Media Group to launch an entrepreneurship TV series dubbed Lions Den set to air later in the year. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA |
What you need to know:
- Kenyan entrepreneurs will get a chance to attract funding for their businesses in a weekly NTV reality show that will bring the local version of American programme Shark Tank to their screens.
- The show named Lion’s Den, will see entrepreneurs get an opportunity to pitch their ideas to local millionaires from September this year in exchange for potential capital injection and partnerships.
- The programme will be sponsored by Kenya Commercial Bank’s youth fund.
- Nation Media Group Broadcasting Division General Manager Linus Kaikai on Tuesday said the show offers Kenyan audiences a unique product that will be a first in the market.
Kenyan entrepreneurs will get a chance to attract funding for their businesses in a weekly NTV reality show that will bring the local version of American programme Shark Tank to their screens.
The show named Lion’s Den, will see entrepreneurs get an opportunity to pitch their ideas to local millionaires from September this year in exchange for potential capital injection and partnerships.
The programme will be sponsored by Kenya Commercial Bank’s youth fund.
Nation Media Group Broadcasting Division General Manager Linus Kaikai on Tuesday said the show offers Kenyan audiences a unique product that will be a first in the market.
“This is the kind of content we have always wanted to provide to our viewers; content which is engaging, informative, entertaining and useful in daily life,” said Mr Kaikai at the Nation Media Group offices on Tuesday.
SUCCESSFUL CONCEPT
Aspiring entrepreneurs make business presentations to a panel of “sharks”, who then choose whether or not to invest.
The concept has been highly successful for ABC TV, reaching over six million viewers in each episode.
KCB, which is targeting small and medium enterprise customers, is already running 2jiajiri business initiative, a Sh50 billion job creation and skills development programme where start-ups have the chance to get financing at a rate of 14 per cent.
The bank has set a target of benefiting at least 500,000 youths in a period of five years.
KCB has also just taken up management of the collapsed SME focused lender Chase Bank, with a plan to acquire majority shares.
“What we are looking for are start-ups, the businesses we call hustles that have just taken off. The show is going to take off soon after we announce auditions,” said the KCB Director for Marketing and Communication Angela Mwirigi.
