- Rapper Juliani called on Kenyans to support creatives and startups instead of waiting for emergencies.
- The experienced musician suggested a community-driven Harambee fund for low-interest investments.
- According to Juliani, 40% of the funds will be allocated for salaries, with the remaining amount dedicated to supporting market entry.
Renowned Kenyan rapper Juliani has sparked a significant conversation about fundraising culture in Kenya, encouraging people to support creatives and early-stage startups now rather than waiting for a disaster to occur.
In a series of Instagram posts, Juliani turned the traditional "Harambee" (fundraising) culture on its head, where Kenyans usually come together to raise money for emergencies, funerals, or medical expenses.
He suggested establishing a community-driven Harambee fund that focuses on investing in creative talent and innovative business ideas—a move he believes has the potential to revolutionize Kenya's entrepreneurial scene.
Will Harambee Fund be a game-changer for young entrepreneurs from the Sheng culture?
Juliani envisions a structured and transparent fund that is designed to empower creatives and entrepreneurs, commonly referred to as 'Shengpreneurs'.
- Forty percent of the fund will be allocated towards salaries and team development for creatives.
- The remaining 60% will be allocated for market entry initiatives, facilitating startups' growth and expansion.
- Transparency will be ensured through the use of blockchain ledger technology, enabling contributors to monitor how funds are utilized.
- Contributors have the option to choose whether their contribution is made as a donation or an investment, which allows them to potentially acquire a share of the companies they are supporting.
"I will do my best to help, whether I'm alive or dead. It's not too late now. And we start a - Harambee fund - to invest in creatives & early-stage Startups: Low interest, innovative, local solutions," Juliani wrote.
Why prioritize startups over emergency situations?
The rapper criticized Kenya's fundraising culture, pointing out that sad stories can prompt immediate action, whereas business ideas often meet with skepticism and intense scrutiny.
There are no vanity metrics for the Harambee fund. I know the users. It's simple - your product has 15 paying customers, what do you need 150 or 1500?
He thinks if Kenyans can rally together to cover funeral and medical expenses, they can also pool their resources to support innovative projects that generate employment and wealth.
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Juliani is looking for 100 dedicated individuals to join the Harambee Fund launch team.
Those who are interested can send him a message with their name and commitment via the provided phone number.
Once the 100-person target is reached, a paybill number will be set up to formalize the initiative.
Will Kenyans Respond to Juliani's Call?
Juliani's final comment was straightforward yet impactful:
We should celebrate both the sorrowful and the inspiring tales, acknowledging the power of both emotions to shape our perspectives.
The crucial question now is: Will Kenyans accept and contribute to making his vision a reality?