Seven startups founded by women have shared KES 9 million in grants at the end of the ninth Women in Tech Kenya Accelerator, an annual programme that has backed female founders since 2017.

The winners were announced at a ceremony in Nairobi on September 29. Each startup receives about KES 1.29 million. The grants are equity-free, so founders do not give up any ownership of their companies, and come with six months of further support.

The winners

  • Premac Care, health: connects families with trained carers for mothers, newborns and older relatives.
  • ChipuRobo, education: makes locally built kits for teaching artificial intelligence and robotics.
  • Uptyke Consulting, education: creates digital lessons for learners with disabilities, using sign language, audio and interactive content.
  • Nakuru Tubers, agriculture: uses digital tools to connect smallholder farmers with verified farm inputs.
  • FishBox Africa, agriculture: builds farm management software and automatic feeders for fish farmers.
  • Trident Analytics, agriculture: uses connected devices and software to help fish farmers monitor their ponds.
  • Seta Farm, agriculture: turns organic waste into mushrooms through a production network that creates income for women and young people.

About the programme

The accelerator is funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation and run by Village Capital with @iBizAfrica, Strathmore University's business incubator. Fifteen founders completed this year's 12-week programme before the seven winners were picked.

Why it matters

Women-led startups receive only a small share of venture funding in Africa, and early-stage, no-strings grants can help a young company reach the point where investors take notice. Four of this year's seven winners work in agriculture, especially fish farming, showing how many founders are applying technology to food production and rural incomes.