HEVA has generated insights, rolled out investments, and innovated financial models specifically for the growth of the creative economy in East Africa since 2013. The organisation has invested in more than 40 creative businesses and directly supported over 8,000 creative practitioners in the fashion, digital content and television, live music, cultural heritage, and gaming value-chains. Their grant will be used to pilot the Ascend program. It will support 15 women-led initiatives in media that are all focused on telling the stories of marginalised communities and highlighting the perspectives of communities and demographics who have been silenced.