HustleSasa, one of Kenya’s leading mobile apps for creators, today announced that applications are now open for its upskilling and digitization incubator.
Dubbed ‘Turning Passions into Livelihood,’ this 9-month project run in collaboration with The Alchemist aims to provide young creators across Kenya with the tools,
resources, networks and knowledge needed to make money doing what they love.
Participants will spend 7 weeks attending immersive business and marketing masterclasses facilitated by different industry experts such as Artists Rights Africa, Olivia Ambani & Tetu Shani. Some of the topics covered include financial literacy, budgeting, community building, integrated marketing communications, the future of art (i.e. cryptocurrency, NFTs, etc) and mental health.
After the learning sessions, participants will spend 2 weeks getting onboarded onto the HustleSasa mobile app. The company’s CRM Team will provide guidance to the programme participants on how to use all of the platform’s features to successfully manage their businesses online. During the app onboarding period, creators will also receive graphic design and product photography support so as to ensure they build professional websites which they can use to sell seamlessly to their audiences.
This ambitious project stands out for a number of reasons. Firstly, there will be 4 different cohorts of 250 participants each, totaling 1,000 upskilled creatives all over Kenya by December 2023. To add, the incubator curriculum caters to a broad range of creator types e.g. musicians, dancers, event organizers, writers, chefs, beauty, haircare & skincare specialists, photographers and many more. This is different from other similar programs which generally work with smaller cohort sizes of around 15-30 participants and focus on specific creative roles e.g. production, DJing, music performance, etc.
Lastly, since all the participants will beon the HustleSasa mobile app, there will be continuity for them even after the program concludes as the platform regularly runs community initiatives like event financing and networking gatherings for its app users. For The Alchemist, being a part of this project is another opportunity to add to its 7+ years of contribution to the local creative scene by giving more artists a space to connect, learn and share their talents with eager audiences. The venue will act as the community hub for the incubator, with all of the project’s in-person activities being held there, and the program culminating in a grand showcase in December 2023 where the public will interact with 100 of the participant’s brands and enjoy a live concert featuring a number of beloved local musical acts.
HustleSasa Co-Founder & CEO, Peng Chen, says “We care about creatives and their
dreams. Running this program gives us an opportunity to continue walking alongside
young people in the arts and entertainment space as they turn their dreams into
sustainable realities.”
This project is supported by a grant from the Ignite Culture: ACP-EU Culture Programme (Eastern Africa). The fund is being implemented by HEVA, in partnership with the British Council Kenya, with the financial contribution of the European Union and with further support from the Organisation of ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) States. It is part of the global ACP-EU Culture Programme.
