News

Supporting Low-Income Entrepreneurs in Nairobi

In just five years, SOMO has transformed from a Big Ideas Contest proposal into a thriving nonprofit. Receiving nearly 2,000 applications annually, it has supported 58 Kenyan entrepreneurs in launching businesses through a two-year acceleration program, empowering communities and fostering sustainable economic growth.
Blum Center
1 min

Over the past five years, SOMO has grown from a proposal submitted to the Big Ideas Contest to a viable nonprofit, which receives close to 2,000 applications annually from Kenyan entrepreneurs looking to launch their business ideas. So far SOMO has helped launch 58 businesses, partnering with them for two years through its acceleration program.

Related Articles

The NTU crew on a tour of campus labs: Jonathan Smith (behind robot), Conrad Begay (fourth from right), Shannon Smith (third from right), and Marilane Descheny (second from right), with DevEng programs director Yael Perez (rightmost).
Development Engineering
News
Blum Center
4 mins
The MDevEng Class of 2027 (Photo by Sam Goldman)
Development Engineering
News
Blum Center
5 mins
Development Engineering
News
Alexa Vazquez
7 mins

Host and Fellow Responsibilities

Host Organizations

  • Identify staff supervisor to manage I&E Climate Action Fellow
  • Submit fellowship description and tasks
  • Engage in the matching process
  • Mentor and advise students
  • Communicate with Berkeley program director and give feedback on the program.

Berkeley Program Director​

  • Communicate with host organizations, students, and other university departments to ensure smooth program operations

Student Fellows

  • Complete application and cohort activities
  • Communicate with staff and host organizations
  • Successfully complete assignments from host organization during summer practicum
  • Summarize and report summer experience activities post-fellowship