Expeditions Maasai Safaris co-founder Pancras Karema and Michelle Ntalami of Marini Naturals emerged winners in the inaugural Young Entrepreneurs Awards (YEA) 2018 held on Wednesday.
Mr Karema bagged the Young Male Entrepreneur of the Year award while Ms Ntalami won in the female category in the awards that featured some of the most industrious businessmen and women in Kenya.
The two came top out of the 10 winners who were selected from 32 nominees in 10 categories after being subjected to a public vote through an online system.
Ms Ntalami floored big names including Anerlisa Muigai of Nero Company Ltd to bag her award.
HOLIDAY TRAVEL
Mr Karema said that the award was a demonstration of his company’s focus on offering as many holiday choices as possible at affordable rates to Kenyans.
He also underscored his desire to make affordable holiday travel a reality for all households in Kenya by the year 2021.
“I am incredibly overwhelmed and sincerely humbled this evening to learn of my declaration as the male entrepreneur of the Year 2018 by Bizna Kenya. It is such a remarkable moment for Expeditions Maasai Safaris and myself to receive this recognition.
“I would like to thank all our loyal customers, supporters and the entire Expeditions Maasai Safaris family without whose support this could not have been possible. With your continued support, I am confident we will together make it happen,” added Mr Karema while speaking to Nation.
OTHER WINNERS
Other winners included Abel Mutua of Phil-It in the entertainment category who won in a competition that also included gospel artiste Kevin Bahati of EMB Records.
Other winners were artiste Anthony Mwangi aka Anto Neo Soul, Anyiko Owoko of Anyiko Public Relations in the service industry category and Samuel Majani of Ghafla in the digital technology category.
Others were Tim Kipchumba of Questworks (Real Estate), Rodgers Kirwa of iAgribiz Africa (Agripreneur), Mercy Kyallo of Yallo Limited (Manufacturing), Ian Mati of Vintara Collections-Ke (Fashion and Beauty) and Martin Ruga of Deserts Anyone Ltd (Hospitality).
BUSINESS SUPPORT
The winners will get marketing and other business support services worth over Sh1 million.
The awards organised by Bizna Kenya – a business portal that provides marketing and enterprise development solutions to small businesses and entrepreneurs – are designed to identify upcoming and industrious entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years who have great business acumen.
“We are happy to set the ball rolling on our ambition to create a network of outstanding young entrepreneurs that can drive our economy forward. We will continue to encourage more to start their own businesses by recognising those we are making significant contribution to the economy,” Bizna Kenya founder and CEO Tonnie Mello said.