How we work
When it comes to helping SMEs to grow their business we know what we are talking about. Preparing to access new markets in Kenya or abroad, looking ahead to expand without running out of money, without loosing existing customers, keeping your team together, understanding taxation, financing and how to find it when you need it as well as managing your own time and staying compliant with regulations and credentials.
As a business leader there are many things you need to do at the same time - we can help you get the impartial information you need to prioritise and focus on what's important for each objective, When it comes to accessing financing, we are second to none.
SME Planet's delivery model is built around five integrated pillars:
- SME Self-selection, baseline diagnostics, supply chain vulnerability check and co-creation of business development plans
- Practical business operations and financial management support for growth
- Targeted one-on-one advisory, market and regulatory compliance coaching
- Co-creation of SME financing journeys, matching prudent financing needs, timing, financing use and providers with capacity to repay
- International standard post-funding monitoring and performance coaching for your benefit and a pathway to investment
Let our team of experienced coaches guide you through building a marketing plan, financing plan, identifying providers to match your needs and the implications on your business of each type of funding. We can help you stay on track, develop and test resilience and business continuity plans so that a crisis does not become a drama. Our support does not stop when you get funds. Your coach will be there to help you to get the best results out of your obligations so that your business and its credit score grow together and you can develop productive long term partnerships with funders.
Many of our SME partners continue to enjoy support from us on their journey, some of them for decades. Upon completion, participating agri-SMEs will show verifiable gains in governance, financial record-keeping, compliance capabilities, and investment readiness—resulting in more confident management teams capable of convincing financing providers that they are capable of driving inclusive growth, resilient value chains and long-term business transformation.
How and when to join our next Cohort
Not all businesses will be ready to benefit from our approach when our next cohort opens. Our coaches will at least help you create an improvement plan for your business and estimate how long it will take you to be ready for a future cohort if the timing does not match the seasonality of your business or if your application is not accepted.
Whilst the thematic objectives of each cohort may vary slightly banks and other financing providers generally look for enterprises that have the following characteristics:
- Annual revenues > US$ 200,000 or KES 20,000,000
- Borrowing needs > US$ 30,000 or KES 4,000,000
- Positive credit bureau rating, minimum 2 years stable or growing transactions history with a bank, audited accounts & tax compliance
- Minimum of 5 full time personnel employed in compliance with applicable labour laws.
- Products or services that are compliant, or close to compliance with market, industry and buyer requirements· Ideally, some past/current participation in technical assistance or market upgrading projects
- Demonstrated intention to grow a sustainable business in export supply chains chains
The timing of SME intakes for each cohort is coordinated with banks and other financing providers. We will post information on the timing and criteria for each new cohort on this web site along with links to an Expression of interest and Self-selection form.
End to end guidance:
Generally, a SME accepted into a cohort would be expected to need and start to use financing within 6 months. This will require a focused effort for two to three months, working with one of our coaches to complete market and financial compliance, eg: obtaining relevant credentials to justify planned sales and revenue plans, join a Boot camp with banks or other financing providers and be ready to submit a complete application folder for financing. If terms and conditions (T&Cs) are agreed then our coaches will help to organise statutory site visits by a bank or other financing provider.
After contract signature and the T&Cs have been shared with us, our support continues with monitoring and performance coaching. Conditions may change and a SME may need to adapt its plans. This may put the business in danger of inadvertently transgressing a covenenant or delaying a payment. Our coaches will be there to help you devise a solution, communicate changes early to the financing provider and sometimes help intermediate adaptations to agreed terms and conditions. At the final repayment, we coordinate updates to credit ratings, support your successes and next steps.