PBP aims to address critical gaps in the Creative Manufacturing and Handmade Sector
We are dedicated to partnering with like-minded philanthropists and organizations to create project-based solutions that empower artisans through financing, training, AI supported digital tools, and market access driving sustainable growth.
Core Pillars
Jiinue Growth Program
Powered by People is part of the Jiinue Growth Program (JGP) implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and a consortium of partners consisting of Grassroots Business Fund, DT Global, 4G Capital, GROOTS Kenya, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA). JGP aims to bridge the financing gap for micro, small and medium (MSME's) in Kenya. The program combines financial support with technical assistance and a coordinated approach among various players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
PBP developed a Purchase Order Management Service designed to support artisan partners with cash flow processes. Once a buyer's purchase order is verified, we manage the order and facilitate advance payment terms so artisans can access the funds they need to begin production. This service helps bridge the gap between order placement and payment, ensuring smoother operations and on-time fulfillment.
Consignment Financing was developed to help makers and retailers overcome financial hurdles and seize growth opportunities. This flexible funding solution empowers them to bring products to market faster, meet retailer demand with confidence, and scale their business without the burden of upfront costs.
Powered by People provides tailored technical assistance to community-based artisans across counties in Kenya, offering hands-on training in product quality, costing and pricing, and storytelling to strengthen their business foundations. A key focus of the program is empowering youth through skills transfer, where young people learn directly from master artisans across various craft sectors—preserving cultural heritage while building pathways for entrepreneurship. For digitally savvy businesses, PBP has also developed access to a rich learning universe featuring nearly 100 modules focused on retail and export readiness. For more information, contact projects@poweredbypeople.com.
Featured Project
The Artisan Soko Trade Show
Funded by our philanthropic partners, the Artisan Soko Trade Show was dedicated to connecting local Makers with global buyers. Thus dynamic marketplace event was designed to expand market access for Kenyan makers, with a strong focus on supporting women entrepreneurs. The trade show showcased a product categories from, fashion and home decor to sustainable tableware, celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship of Kenya's Maker community. Through Artisan Soko, PBP created opportunities for Makers to build lasting relationships with buyers, grow their business, and reach both local and international markets.
The Creative Manufacturing and Handmade (CMH) sector provides work for approximately 300 million people, predominantly women, youth and migrants living in rural areas with low incomes and often operating informally. Learn more about the opportunities for economic growth and business development in a large and often overlooked sector.
Our Philanthropic Partnerships
TRANSFORM
TRANSFORM is a joint initiative of Unilever, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and EY and aims to impact over 15 million lives by 2025 by supporting visionary enterprises across Africa, Asia and beyond. PBP partnered with TRANSFORM to test and scale solutions that improve outcomes for women makers through training, digitalization and export readiness.
ASHOKA
Ashoka identifies and supports the world's leading social entrepreneurs, learns from the patterns in their innovations, and mobilizes a global community that embraces these new frameworks to build an "everyone a changemaker world." Through the Ashoka-IKEA Dela Programme, Powered by People worked with IKEA to help effect systemic change in global shipping. We have used this accelerator to pilot our PBP ShipSmart program, which offers consolidated shipping opportunities to our makers worldwide.
IOM
International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and part of the United Nations system. Its work focuses on saving lives and protecting people on the move, driving solutions to displacement and facilitating pathways for regular migration. Powered by People works with IOM on supporting the Ukrainian makers community at the Shoppe Object event in New York city.
BFA Global
Bankable Frontier Associate (BFA Global) is an impact innovation firm that combines research, advisory, venture building, and investment expertise to build a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient future for underserved people. They partner with leading public, private and philanthropic organizations, global and local, to catalyze innovation ecosystems for impact across emerging markets. Powered by People works with BFA Global to address women’s economic empowerment in Kenya using technology to close the digital divide by testing the extent to which AI-generated, high quality digital profiles positively affect makers’ discoverability online and lead to sales.
Jiinue Growth Program
Powered by People is part of the Jiinue Growth Program implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and a consortium of partners consisting of Grassroots Business Fund, DT Global, 4G Capital, GROOTS Kenya, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA). JGP aims to bridge the financing gap for micro, small and medium (MSME's) in Kenya. The program combines financial support with technical assistance and a coordinated approach among various players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
TRANSFORM
TRANSFORM is a joint initiative of Unilever, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and EY and aims to impact over 15 million lives by 2025 by supporting visionary enterprises across Africa, Asia and beyond. PBP partnered with TRANSFORM to test and scale solutions that improve outcomes for women makers through training, digitalization and export readiness.
ASHOKA
Ashoka identifies and supports the world's leading social entrepreneurs, learns from the patterns in their innovations, and mobilizes a global community that embraces these new frameworks to build an "everyone a changemaker world." Through the Ashoka-IKEA Dela Programme, Powered by People worked with IKEA to help effect systemic change in global shipping. We have used this accelerator to pilot our PBP ShipSmart program, which offers consolidated shipping opportunities to our makers worldwide.
IOM
International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and part of the United Nations system. Its work focuses on saving lives and protecting people on the move, driving solutions to displacement and facilitating pathways for regular migration. Powered by People works with IOM on supporting the Ukrainian makers community at the Shoppe Object event in New York city.
BFA
Bankable Frontier Associate (BFA Global) is an impact innovation firm that combines research, advisory, venture building, and investment expertise to build a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient future for underserved people. They partner with leading public, private and philanthropic organizations, global and local, to catalyze innovation ecosystems for impact across emerging markets. Powered by People works with BFA Global to address women’s economic empowerment in Kenya using technology to close the digital divide by testing the extent to which AI-generated, high quality digital profiles positively affect makers’ discoverability online and lead to sales.
Jiinue Growth Program
Powered by People is part of the Jiinue Growth Program implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and a consortium of partners consisting of Grassroots Business Fund, DT Global, 4G Capital, GROOTS Kenya, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA). JGP aims to bridge the financing gap for micro, small and medium (MSME's) in Kenya. The program combines financial support with technical assistance and a coordinated approach among various players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.