Executive Summary
TechSkills Hub is a mobile, community-first digital skills training initiative targeting youth and SMEs in Thika, Kiambu County. The project combines on-site training, an AI-powered learning website, and SME digital clinics. The initial KES 50,000 NYOTA funding will procure hardware, connectivity and outreach materials to run pilot sessions, validate the model and deliver measurable early impact.
Vision
To be the leading mobile digital skills service in Thika, expanding across Kiambu County and beyond — enabling employment, digital literacy, and SME productivity through practical training and AI-enabled learning.
Applicant Profile & Skills
Austin Githinji — Software developer and entrepreneur with experience in web security, application development and small-business operations. Technical stack: Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Java, PHP, Flutter, React. Certifications include Cisco Ethical Hacker and Microsoft Security Essentials.
Problem Statement
- Youth lack practical digital skills for freelancing, remote work, and micro-enterprises.
- SMEs operate informally with limited online presence, reducing sales and growth potential.
- Limited access to quality, affordable training and mentorship, and low digital adoption among local businesses.
Value Proposition
A low-cost, mobile delivery model that trains youth where they are, pairs them with SMEs to deploy real solutions, and scales via an AI-driven website to extend impact beyond in-person sessions.
Proposed Services & Platform
Youth Upskilling
- Basic Computer Literacy: Office tools, CV writing, email and remote work fundamentals.
- Technical Micro-courses: Web Security, Cloud Fundamentals, Git/GitHub basics.
- AI for Research & Business: How to use AI to craft business plans, research markets, and accelerate ideation. Personalized AI assistant tailors learning paths and supports project-level guidance.
- Soft Skills & Career Readiness: Communication, teamwork, problem solving.
SME Digital Empowerment
- WhatsApp Business setup, catalogues & order flows.
- Social media marketing basics (Facebook, Instagram) and content planning.
- M-Pesa Business integration and secure mobile payment practices.
- Simple bookkeeping with spreadsheets, sales tracking and analytics dashboards.
- AI-assisted business planning for demand forecasting, marketing copy, and productivity suggestions.
- SME Digital Clinic: quarterly hands-on sessions where youth and tech mentors diagnose and implement solutions.
Central to the service is a responsive website that hosts courses, issues micro-certificates, and provides an AI Learning Assistant that personalizes content and mentors learners through business-plan specific guidance.
Market & Target Audience
Youth: aged 18–25 seeking employability, freelancing skills or digital micro-enterprises.
SMEs: retail shops, salons, restaurants, agribusiness vendors and informal traders seeking digital adoption.
Market insight: High interest among Kenyan SMEs for simple digital tools. The model targets early adopters and uses referral networks to grow.
Competitive edge: Mobile delivery + AI-personalized learning + SME integration.
Budget (KES 50,000)
| Item | Cost (KES) |
|---|
| Refurbished Laptop | 18,000 |
| Portable Projector | 8,000 |
| Mobile WiFi & Data | 6,000 |
| Marketing & Promotional Materials | 3,000 |
| Business Registration | 2,000 |
| Transport & Outreach | 3,000 |
| Emergency & Contingency Funds | 3,000 |
| NSSF Savings (12%) | 5,000 |
| Total | 50,000 |
|---|
Revenue Model (Monthly)
| Service | Price (KES) | Target Users | Monthly Income (KES) |
|---|
| Youth Basic Computer & Digital Skills | 1,500 | 10 youth | 15,000 |
| WhatsApp Business Setup for SMEs | 2,000 | 5 businesses | 10,000 |
| Social Media Marketing Training | 2,500 | 3 businesses | 7,500 |
| M-Pesa Business Setup | 1,000 | 5 businesses | 5,000 |
| Monthly Digital Support & Mentorship | 3,000 | 2 SMEs | 6,000 |
| Estimated Total Monthly Income | 43,500 – 50,000 |
|---|
Long-term revenue opportunities: website subscriptions, AI coaching packages, corporate partnerships and grant funding.
Implementation Timeline & Milestones
Months 0–1
- Procure equipment, register business, produce marketing materials.
- Run 2 free demos at churches & community hubs to validate demand.
Months 2–3
- Train first 15 youth; onboard 10 SMEs for WhatsApp and M-Pesa integration.
- Collect testimonials, refine curriculum and workflows.
Months 4–6
- Scale youth training to 30 participants and support additional SMEs.
- Start building the TechSkills Hub website MVP with AI learning assistant features.
Post 6 months
- Rent a small training space, hire a part-time assistant and expand across Kiambu County.
- Launch online platform and register first 100 learners.
Impact Goals & Metrics
Youth trained30 in pilot; 500+ within 2 years
SMEs digitized15 in pilot; 200+ within 2 years
Jobs created3–5 early hires; 150+ within 2 years
AI upskilling70% participant rate target
SME Expansion — Detailed Focus
SMEs are central to the TechSkills Hub model. The strategy for SME engagement emphasizes immediate revenue impact, risk reduction and long-term formalization:
- Revenue uplift: Implement WhatsApp Business catalogues, promotions and simple ad campaigns to drive customer reach and conversion. Example KPI: +15% monthly sales within 2 months for pilot SMEs.
- Process efficiency: Introduce templated bookkeeping and sales-tracking spreadsheets that reduce time spent on admin and improve stock management.
- Secure transactions & trust: Integrate M-Pesa Business and educate staff on fraud prevention and digital hygiene to minimize losses.
- AI-driven insights: Use lightweight AI prompts and templates to produce marketing copy, demand forecasts, and pricing recommendations tailored to each SME.
- Short-term pilot case studies: Document 3 pilot SME success stories (e.g., salon, local shop, agribusiness vendor) to showcase measurable impact and attract paying customers and funders.
This SME-focused approach ensures youth training is demand-led — learners apply skills immediately with local businesses that directly benefit from improved digital operations.
Risk Management & Sustainability
- Customer acquisition risk: Mitigated via partnerships with churches, youth groups, and local leaders.
- Equipment risk: Warranty, secure transport, and emergency funds reserved.
- Affordability: Group discounts, installment payments, and scholarship slots.
- Sustainability: Reinvest training revenue into platform development; develop paid online courses and SME subscriptions to ensure long-term operations.
Contact & Next Steps
Founder: Austin Githinji — Mount Kenya University, Thika. Email: devaustingithinji@gmail.com
Next steps: Approve NYOTA grant disbursement, procure equipment, launch pilot activities and begin building the TechSkills Hub website MVP with AI features.