Linking SMEs and Buyers: Matchmaking at Agribusiness and Enterprise Events in Kenya
Buyer-supplier matchmaking for SME, agribusiness and manufacturing events where the goal is signed offtake, not networking drinks.
Enterprise development programmes are measured on linkages created. A trade linkage event without a booked meeting grid produces anecdotes rather than reportable outcomes.
Buyer-supplier matchmaking is the format we run most often for these programmes.
Qualify supply before the buyer arrives
Supplier profiles capture volume capacity, certification, lead time and current markets. Buyers filter on those fields, so a smallholder aggregator is not booked against a supermarket chain it cannot serve.
Programme teams can review and approve supplier profiles before the directory opens.
Buyer-led scheduling
In these events the buyer, not the supplier, drives the calendar. Buyers browse, shortlist and book; suppliers accept. It reflects who has the scarce time.
Fifteen-minute slots work better than thirty for first-round screening, with follow-up meetings booked on the spot.
Language and digital access
Many suppliers register with a shared phone or with help from a field officer. We support assisted registration at the desk and Swahili-language prompts, so nobody is excluded by the tool.
Printed meeting schedules are issued alongside digital ones for the same reason.
Track linkages after the event
A follow-up survey at 30 and 90 days converts "meetings held" into "deals progressed", which is the number funders actually fund.
Email info@cara.co.ke to design a linkage event.
Work with our team
Matchmaking runs inside every programme we deliver. See our event management services service, or explore the platform at events.cara.co.ke.
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