As part of KEPSA’s drive to support SME growth, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) held the judging phase of the Innovation Challenge Excellence Awards on 8th–9th May 2025. Twenty-four judges—entrepreneurs, government representatives, investors and industry leaders convened in Nairobi. They listened to SMEs pitch their innovations in person and online under the theme “Driving Growth through Innovation: Advancing Market Access and Expansion.” 

On Thursday, 8th May, judges assessed three categories: Rising Male Stars in Digital Trade, Rising Female Stars in Digital Trade, and the Best Overall Market Expansion Innovation Award. On Friday, 9th May, the focus shifted to the remaining categories: Cross-Border Innovation Award, Logistics & Distribution Innovation Award, and Tech Start-up Market Intelligence Innovation Award.  

Across all six categories, SMEs were evaluated based on several key criteria. Judges looked for clarity and creativity in presenting original solutions that address long-term market access challenges. They also considered the scalability of the innovation—its ability to grow beyond the initial audience—as well as its unique and transformative value in solving societal problems related to accessing markets. Market access and readiness were assessed by examining the potential for commercialization and future market opportunities. Additionally, the outcomes of each innovation had to be clearly demonstrated through assessments, surveys, or other measurement tools, and these outcomes needed to align with broader impacts such as job creation, revenue growth, sustainability, and improved operational efficiency. Finally, the quality of the presentation, including the ability to confidently and clearly answer questions, played a significant role in the judging process. 

During their pitches, the SMEs received expert feedback from the judges. Each pitch session served as a platform for knowledge sharing, where participants were offered constructive insights on areas they could improve on, as well as thoughts on how they can sustainably grow their businesses.  

Winners will be announced at the KEPSA Annual SME Conference & Exhibition in June 2025. Beyond the ceremony, each awardee will join a post-award boot camp to receive technical assistance, mentorship from industry leaders and connections to financial partners ready to fuel their growth. 

Through this rigorous yet supportive process, the Annual KEPSA SME Innovation Challenge Excellence Awards reaffirm  KEPSA's commitment to nurturing innovative SMEs by creating spaces where ideas are evaluated, refined and empowered to thrive.

To register for the conference, visit: https://forms.gle/s3deHazs9XZ8QfhEA