Business
Navalayo Osembo's Enda Secures $1.1M Investment to Produce Africa's First Running Shoe Brand By Ngozi Nwanji
BEING THE FIRST to create a new company with no prior experience under your belt can be an intimidating venture. Nonetheless, the long-lasting impact behind the purpose for Navalayo Osembo’s revolutionary idea overshadowed any deterrent the challenge could throw her way. The Kenyan native is the co-founder and CEO of Enda, Africa’s first running shoe company. Kenya is widely known for producing the world’s Navalayo Osembo greatest runners and now, the shoe brand is putting on for its record-breaking Series A funding round for Enda, according to a talent. The pioneering company is helping to put press release. The funding is set to further take the country further on the map and its success is a the brand’s slogan, “Run Kenyan,” worldwide. testament to what African talent can achieve. Osembo spoke with us about the journey to “I think the biggest thing has been changing creating Enda’s first running shoes, the brand’s what people believe is possible. I talk to other impact in Kenya, and inspiring the dreams for entrepreneurs all the time who are following the more global brands in Africa. path that we’ve created in dreaming that global Editorial note: Portions of this interview have brands can be born in Africa,” Osembo told been edited and condensed for clarity. AfroTech. AfroTech: When did the idea to start Enda first While Enda is putting a spotlight on Kenyan come about? culture’s influence, it is also aiding in the economic Navalayo Osembo: I was at a startup pitch development of local communities through event in Nairobi talking about a sports startup idea creating jobs and reducing environmental impact. I’d been working on. My co-founder, Weldon, was The brand’s mission for giving back caught the in the audience and approached me afterward attention of Talanton, a private U.S.-based impact since he agreed that Kenya should benefit more investment fund. The company led a $1.1 million from its reputation of athletic excellence. We hit it 8
January-February 2022
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