Company Profile vs Capability Statement

"Please attach your company profile and capability statement." If you've responded to tenders or partnership requests in Kenya, you've probably seen this line, and perhaps wondered whether they're actually different documents.

They are. And understanding the difference can make your submissions noticeably stronger.

What is a company profile?

A company profile is a broad introduction to your business. It tells the reader who you are, what you do, your history, your team, your services and your track record. It's typically 8 to 20 pages and designed to be read by a wide range of people: clients, partners, investors and new employees.

Think of it as your business's formal introduction.

What is a capability statement?

A capability statement is a concise, targeted summary that shows why your business is qualified for a specific buyer, sector or opportunity. It's usually one page, two at most, and focuses only on what that reader needs to make a decision.

Think of it as your business's answer to "Why should we choose you for this?"

Side-by-side comparison

	Company profile	Capability statement
Purpose	Introduce your business	Prove fit for a specific opportunity
Length	Typically 8–20 pages	1–2 pages
Audience	Broad	Specific buyer or sector
Content	Comprehensive	Selective and targeted
Updated	Annually or when things change	Tailored for each sector or bid

What goes into a capability statement?

A strong capability statement usually includes:

1. Company snapshot: name, registration, location, years in operation.
2. Core competencies: the three to five services most relevant to this buyer.
3. Past performance: a few relevant projects or contracts, briefly described.
4. Differentiators: what sets you apart, stated specifically.
5. Certifications and registrations: licences, categories and accreditations.
6. Key data: contact person, phone, email, website and registration numbers.

Everything else stays in the company profile.

When to use which

Use your company profile when:

• Introducing your business to a new client or partner
• Responding to general information requests
• Attaching to a proposal where a full overview is expected
• Onboarding with a new supplier or bank

Use a capability statement when:

• Pre-qualifying for tenders
• Approaching a specific sector, such as government, NGOs or construction
• Following up after a networking meeting or event
• Requested alongside your profile in a bid

Why many businesses need both

A single long profile tries to serve every audience, and often serves none of them well. A company profile plus a few tailored capability statements lets you:

• Give busy evaluators exactly what they need in two minutes
• Emphasise different strengths for different sectors
• Keep your main profile comprehensive without overwhelming anyone

For example, a construction company might maintain one full profile, plus capability statements for road works, commercial buildings and water infrastructure.

Tips for both documents

• Be specific. Replace generic claims with facts you can verify.
• Keep them consistent. Use the same facts, figures and branding in both.
• Update regularly. Outdated information undermines credibility.
• Design matters. Both should look professional and be easy to scan.
• Create digital versions. Lightweight PDFs that open easily on a phone.

Getting help

If you need a profile, a capability statement or both, our company profile design service covers writing and design. You might also find our guide on how to write a company profile that wins clients useful.