The Standard Chartered Bank and Strathmore University backed Women in Tech Incubator program has announced the 11 finalist of the women-led startups set to benefit from the Ksh 20 million ($193,800) fund.
The program enrolled 40 startups across Kenya who competed against each other for the chance to secure the Ksh 20 million funding. The cohort of 40 startup were fished out of a bigger pool of over 200 startups who applied for consideration to participate in the competition. The enrollment targeted women-led startups draw from universities, colleges, schools, and the general public.
One startups enrolled into the competition had to have between two to three individuals running the startup, with a least one female as one of the founders of the startup. The startup had also to demonstrate how they leverage on technology to drive innovation in business.
The following are the eleven startups who qualified to the finalist stage of the competition.
| Mzurii | Africa Solutions | Nekkta | Maziwa Plus |
| Avopower | HeriOnline | Zydii | ZOA |
| Beta Art | Catapult Studios | Bismart |
The 11 startups will next go through a 12-week incubation program at the iBizAfrica center in Starthmore University. Where they will get mentorship coaching from the leaders in business, technology, and legal profession. They will also be taken through a capacity building initiative that will see learn using world-class entrepreneurship curriculum. The entrepreneurs will also be exposed to opportunities for networking and exposing their products to potential business partners and markets.
“The 11 were shortlisted based on team composition…such as female founder and a well stated problem and solutions. The teams also demonstrated sound business model with clearly defined target market and client base and had measureable social impact in the communities they operate, said, Dr Joseph Sevilla, the Director of @iBizAfrica – Strathmore University.
The finalist startups also stand a chance to get free membership into the Kenya Women in Technology fellowship program and become part of the alumni network after successful completion of their incubation period.
“It is very encouraging that we received applications from all over the country. We believe the shortlisted teams have great potential for advancing to the finals,” said Lamin Manjang, the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank.
