Organization · Community
ASSEK
ASSEK is a membership-based organization in Kenya that empowers startups and SMEs by representing over 150 Entrepreneur Support Organizations. It focuses on advocacy, networking, and capacity building to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Overview
What ASSEK does
What ASSEK is
ASSEK is a membership-based organization in Kenya that empowers startups and SMEs by representing over 150 Entrepreneur Support Organizations. It focuses on advocacy, networking, and capacity building to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Community
- Founded
- Founded in 2018
- Approximate age
- About 8 years
- Structured capabilities
- Community
- Last reviewed
- March 16, 2026
Official channels
Find ASSEK elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
ASSEK as a community
Community overview
The Association of Startup and SMEs Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK) is a membership-based organization founded on May 21, 2019. It is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and aims to represent the interests of organizations that support the development and growth of startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region.
Community focus
ASSEK focuses on fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem through advocacy, networking, capacity building, and research. It aims to empower startups and SMEs by facilitating business registration, compliance, and professional development, while also driving policy advocacy to create a conducive environment for entrepreneurship.
Member value
Members benefit from networking opportunities, capacity building, and advocacy efforts that support the growth of startups and SMEs. ASSEK also facilitates business registration and compliance, enhancing professional development.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- March 6, 2025
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors · Corporate Innovators
- Benefits
- network-access and mentorship
- Program types
- community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Regions
- Africa
Community activity
- Annual events
- 1
Events and activity
ASSEK hosts several key events, including the ASSEK Conference, an annual gathering for stakeholders in the startup ecosystem to discuss challenges and opportunities, and the 2nd Annual Policy Workshop and Forum, scheduled for March 6-7, 2025, focusing on regulation for innovation, growth, and competitiveness.
Notable members
Notable partnerships include WIDU Africa, which supports entrepreneurship in Africa through coaching and funding, and the Kenya Industry and Entrepreneurship Project (KIEP), aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Common questions
What to know about ASSEK
Upseed classifies ASSEK under the Community organization type. Its current public profile includes community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 16, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.