Co-founder
Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd
Former Director, Environment and Energy Group, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
About us · Nairobi, Kenya
A Kenyan company, founded by two former UN directors.
Scaling Sustainable Industries Centre Ltd is privately registered in Nairobi. We invest in and support young Kenyan companies built on sustainable technologies — and we are the originator and strategic lead of the Scaling and Investment Derisking Programme.
Why SSI exists
The problem is not a lack of businesses, or a lack of capital.
It is the absence of the scaling infrastructure that connects the two. Kenya has innovative green companies with validated models and real revenue, and there is capital looking for exactly that profile. What is missing is the machinery in between — the diagnosis, the growth strategy, the investment readiness and the investor relationship, delivered together rather than by four organisations separately.
SSI conceived and initiated the Scaling and Investment Derisking Programme in response to that gap, and has led its development over two years. We hold the strategic lead, and we convened ScaleUpNation, GrowthAfrica and Strathmore University Business School around it. We are now also in discussion with several potential operational partners.
SSI does not claim ownership of the methodologies, tools or intellectual property contributed by consortium partners — those remain the property of their respective organisations. What SSI is recognised as is the originating organisation and custodian of the programme’s architecture, strategic framework and long-term vision.
What SSI designed
- The programme architecture and theory of change
- The integration of enterprise scaling support with investment derisking and capital mobilisation
- The focus on growth-stage green SMEs as the drivers of jobs and sustainable growth
- Technical assistance, digital support, investor engagement and financing combined in one framework
- The vision for replication and adaptation across East Africa
Our people
Two former UN directors and a Nairobi base.
More than 80 years of combined international leadership in climate, sustainability and enterprise development.
Co-founder
Svein Tveitdal
Former Assistant Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Programme Development and Partnerships Lead
Edwin Maina
Based in Nairobi, coordinating the programme’s delivery in Kenya.
SSI is deliberately small, and does not aim to be the main operator of the scaling programme. We share our expertise, experience and networks. Expert knowledge is held by the consortium — enterprise development, scaling methodology and academic capacity each sit with the organisation that does that work best. Meet the consortium.
Delivered by a consortium
Two years of joint development. The knowledge consortium is in place.
No single organisation has everything it takes to scale a business and close its capital. SSI leads the programme and brings the sustainability focus and the investor network; our partners bring the rest.
SSI Centre
Strategic lead & originator
GrowthAfrica
Enterprise development
ScaleUpNation
Scaling methodology
Strathmore University Business School
Academic partner and scientific rigour
Get in touch
Let’s build Kenya’s scaling infrastructure together.
We’re talking with funders and strategic partners who want to help growth-stage green businesses reach scale. If that’s you, we’d like to hear from you.