Ride-hailing giant Bolt has announced the 120 finalists for its innovative Accelerator Program in Kenya.

These individuals, chosen from a pool of over 800 applicants impressed the company with their commitment to developing sustainable transportation solutions.

"We're thrilled to unveil this group of exceptional individuals who will embark on the next phase of the program," said Caroline Wanjihia, Bolt's Regional Director of Rides for Africa.

"This phase will involve mentorship and online business training delivered in collaboration with Alison, a leading online learning platform."

The high application volume, Wanjihia continued, underscores the "ambition and talent within our driver community. As a company, we're not just fostering business growth; we're committed to empowering our key partners and creating greater opportunities for them on our platform."

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Sharpening Skills for the Future

With applications closed, the program transitions to its "Bolt Academy" phase.

The chosen participants will embark on a month-long, comprehensive online business training program co-developed by Bolt and Alison.

This program, designed to hone their entrepreneurial skills, will equip them with the tools they need to seize future career opportunities.

Participants will delve into courses ranging from Digital Marketing and Leadership Skills to Project Management, Customer Relationship Management, and Entrepreneurship.

Communication Skills will also be addressed, all geared towards sharpening their entrepreneurial prowess.

Elevating the Top Performers

The program elevates the journey for the top 20 participants.

They will benefit from exclusive training sessions led by seasoned entrepreneurs alongside personalized mentoring sessions to refine their ventures further.

In collaboration with The Nest Innovation Technology Park, Bolt offers a supportive ecosystem.

By leveraging a network of experienced mentors, Bolt will guide participants through each stage of their entrepreneurial journey.

Pitching for Success

The program culminates in a highly anticipated Business Pitch Day scheduled for July.

Here, the top 20 ideas will vie for seed funding of €2,000 each.

The ultimate prize? The top 10 business ideas will not only receive €2,000 in seed funding but also secure ongoing mentoring support to ensure their ventures flourish.

This collaborative effort between Bolt and The Nest underscores their steadfast commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and promoting sustainable urban mobility solutions within Kenya's diverse communities.