15 female-led startups selected to join Women in Tech programme

Standard Chartered and iBizAfrica-Strathmore University have announced the latest inductees into their transformative ‘Women In Tech’ programme.

This year’s Standard Chartered Women In Tech programme aims will bring together female entrepreneurs who are leveraging technology to spearhead sustainable startups that generate impact.

In line with this objective, the aim for this year’s cohort is to enable these startups to adhere to Environmental, Social and Governance(ESG) practices, providing the startups with the opportunity to advance Kenyan and global initiatives.

 “These start-ups exemplify the innovative spirit and resilience of women entrepreneurs in Kenya. We are committed to providing them with the resources and mentorship they need to scale their businesses and create sustainable impact for Kenya,” said Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of iBizAfrica, Strathmore University.

 The fifteen startups become the seventh group of Kenyan-owned, female-led businesses that will undergo 12 weeks of business incubation training. Following the training, seven of the companies will each receive Ksh 1.2 in funding to grow their businesses.

This year’s theme,“Empowering Women for a Sustainable Future”,will focus on startups that have created technology-based sustainable solutions, that demonstrate an understanding of ESG practices as well asa commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.

The shortlisting criteria required the selected teams to demonstrate capacity in execution, showcasing their potential to solve socio-economic challenges in Kenya. They also had to ensure they had a balanced skill set (team lead, business development, product development, and marketing) to complement the creative use of technologies.

“Kenya’s advanced use of technologies means that it is in an ideal position to apply creative interventions to global climate issues. We are very confident that the businesses that we shall be incubating shall power the future of business in Kenya and beyond,” said Joyce Kibe, Head, Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing, Kenya and Africa, Standard Chartered.

The business incubation training has been modeled around emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data, while additionally integrating the fundamentals of business idea conceptualization, strategy, formulation, and marketing, which will be key in moving businesses from incubation to sustainable ventures.

The Women in Tech Incubator Programme is committed to being digital by design and supporting female entrepreneurs with technology to grow their businesses.

The 15 enterprises that will be starting the 12 weeks of mentorship @iBizAfrica the Women in Tech 2024 include Girah Heritage Ltd – A sustainable tourism company based in Nairobi, Kenya, providing unique cultural travel experiences for budget travelers;MOMA Renewable Energy A producer of liquid renewable fuels. Our flagship product is an ethanol-based cooking fuel, derived from food waste and byproducts; Voda Water – A for-profit social enterprise headquartered in Kenya dedicated to improving global health;Zidallie – Is a leading provider of comprehensive transport solutions that ensures safe and efficient transportation for students;Investa Farm is revolutionizing agricultural financing through blockchain and AI technologies, connecting farmers with cryptocurrency lenders worldwide and Gwiji for Women – They are a tech social enterprise that empowers marginalized and underprivileged women from slum communities who work as casual cleaners.

Others are Meira Education Solutions – They are an EdTech Solutions provider. In addition to building a comprehensive school search portal, we work with other technology software and hardware companies to introduce the right tech tools to learning institutions in Kenya; Zaoshinani is a Fintech driving agricultural transformation using technology and data to steer financial inclusion among smallholder farmers in rural Kenya; Kavalian Limited A Kenyan clean-tech company on a mission to revolutionize waste management and empower communities through innovative waste management solutions; Smart Reja is a data-driven platform that provides tools for retailers to optimize inventory, make data-driven decisions, and increase sales; AerialGIS, is a web application that seamlessly fuses subdivision maps with interactive mapping and VR technology to virtually transport property seekers to the property location on the map; PsychCare Clinic is a level 2 facility offering mental healthcare services and is regulated by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board; Jido is an on-demand delivery management app designed to simplify package deliveries through goods consolidation and using route optimization technology; Africa Stem Girl was founded in May 2020 at the height of COVID-19 as African Tech Girl to expose individuals aged 7 – 17 to coding skills and Hayah Cradle To Bloom – This startup is a data-driven platform that provides tools for retailers to optimize inventory, make data-driven decisions, and increase sales.

Since inception, the Women in Tech programme has attracted over 2,250 applications. It has trained 64 women-led startups leveraging technology by offering mentorship, business advisory, coaching, networking opportunities, access to seed capital, and investor forums that help mold their businesses to international standards.

Thirty-two of the women-led enterprises have been awarded over Ksh 40 million in seed funding over the last six cohorts.

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