We provide loans for students to start businesses related to their studies. The aim is to convert them into entrepreneurs for life! Kiva provides the capital and we package it into loans for the best business plans written by students. We have a pilot program at the Universidad Católica Agropecuaria del Trópico Seco (UCATSE). So far there have been three successful businesses started by students: one for cabbage, one for yogurt and one for onions. MiCredito is proud to offer students special, preferred rates which are more manageable for them. Read more in the article: MiCrédito and UCATSE Support Young Entrepreneurs Studying Agronomy

Universities

MiCredito signed an agreement with UCATSE, a university in Managua. MiCredito and UCATSE have the common objective to promote entrepreneurship among university students. The program is for university students in their senior year of Agronomy. Students have access to loans to develop their own businesses. This program is made possible through the support of Kiva.

Stories from the Field

Luis Emilio was grateful for the loan he received from Kiva lenders. He is 25 years old, a fifth year Agriculture and Cattle Raising student and lives in Ocotal, a small town outside of Estelí. His mother helps him with his classes; she's an accountant at a firm and although it’s a sacrifice, she helps him. He has always enjoyed working in agriculture and cattle raising. He used the loan to invest in supplies for a university project involving the production of dairy products. While he felt that he needed more time to work on the products, he considers this a good experience. It was a way for him to acquire new knowledge about how to prepare different products which come from milk. He wants to finish his studies, work for a firm for a while and then become an independent business owner where he can put into practice what he’s learned.

Maria José is 18 years old and a third year student in farming and livestock. She was part of the student project to grow cabbage. She lives in Jalapa, a small farming town and decided on this career choice because she enjoys the countryside. Through this loan, Maria had the opportunity to learn the processes involved in growing cabbage, the supplies needed, the time involved, how to prepare the land and the costs. Although the land allocated was limited, the production was good. Her goal is to continue studying to receive a Masters in agriculture and then start her own business.

Luis Alonso is a third year agronomy student. He was part of the student project to grow cabbage using different fertilizers. He feels that the loan gave him the opportunity to learn about the process involved when growing cabbage, the costs, and production issues. Luis Alonso learned how to prepare the land, the irrigation system, and how much time and work he needed to dedicate to it. He feels satisfied with the project because he learned something. One of his dreams after finishing school is to have his own high-tech company. He thinks that this kind of project will help him to become a successful professional.