WASH Incubator
Supporting Kenyan WASH Entrepreneurs
The WASH incubator has been founded under Aqua Clara Kenya's H2OPE Accelerator to stimulate entrepreneurship in the WASH sector. The WASH Incubator targets individuals entrepreneurs who already have some business experience but lack formal business training. The goal is that entrepreneurs are able to start and implement sustainable WASH businesses.
Theory of Change
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WASH Incubation Period​
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It is anticipated that participants taking part in the incubator program will take part for a full calendar year, after which support of successful entrepreneurs will be part of the overall H2OPe Accelerator.
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Identification of Potential WASH Solutions
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Initial WASH solutions offered by the incubator focus on products such as:
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Household Water Treatment and Safe Water Storage (HWTS) Solutions
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Rainwater Harvesting
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Manual Well Drilling
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Rope Pumps
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Latrine Constructions
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Soap Making
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Technical Training
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Entrepreneurs receive technical training on their selected product or service. The duration of the technical training varies depending on the selected product or service. Entrepreneurs either receive technical training directly from Aqua Clara or are connected to a partner organization such as the SMART Cente Group.
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Module Objective Topics Duration
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1
To equip entrepreneurs with the skills needed to generate viable WASH business ideas and develop a business canvas.
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Introduction to entrepreneurship
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What is WASH?
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Why WASH Matters
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Social Marketing
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WASH Business Case Study
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Business Canvas
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Market Research
5 Days
Entrepreneurs take 1-2 months to do market research and develop business plans. After this, entrepreneurs present their business plans and successful ones are funded for piloting.
2
To equip entrepreneurs with the skills needed to successfully pilot their WASH business idea
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Pilot your Business
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Defining your Product/Service
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Supply Chain Management
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Pricing
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Book-keeping
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Sales and Marketing
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Customers Care
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Legal Complicance
5 Days
Entrepreneurs take up to 6 months piloting their business while receiving coaching and mentorship from Aqua Clara Kenya.
Development and presentation of Business Plan
After the module 1 business-training, entrepreneurs are given 1-2 months to further test the market, develop their business plans and return to present them to Aqua Clara and their fellow students.
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Ongoing Mentoring and Coaching​
All entrepreneurs participating in the program, whether successful in receiving seed funding or not will receive ongoing mentoring and coaching from the incubator. This involves monthly meetings with a mentor and support via phone as needed. Aqua Clara is currently developing a partnership with a US University that will provide business and engineering students to serve as coaches for entrepreneurs for 1-2 months. ​