Standard Chartered Bank Kenya and iBizAfrica at Strathmore University launched the seventh cohort of its Women in Tech initiative on Tuesday, to boost early-stage, women-led tech businesses in Kenya. The event gathered founders, mentors, and partners committed to supporting female entrepreneurs who leverage technology to drive social and economic impact.
Focus on tech-enabled, women-led startups with traction
This year’s cohort targets registered startups led by women aged 18 to 35, with proven traction and annual revenues between Ksh 500,000 and 1 million.
Ludovica Ochieng, Manager at iBizAfrica, emphasised that the program is no longer focused on ideation but on scaling startups that demonstrate clear impact aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Participants will receive three months of intensive training, mentorship, and masterclasses covering business development, marketing, intellectual property, and funding readiness. The top performers will be awarded $10,000 in seed funding, with all 15 participants gaining access to personalised support and the Women in Tech alumni network.
Accessible tech innovations drive Cohort 8’s mission in Kenya
Cohort 8 prioritises women-led adaptive technology enterprises serving marginalised Kenyan communities. Innovative USSD, SMS, and offline solutions are accessible to anyone, not just internet users.
Beverly Obatoyinbo, Standard Chartered Kenya’s board member, admired the founders’ ideas and reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to backing transformative female-led ventures. Over seven years, the programme has trained 80 startups, with 39 receiving nearly $400,000 in seed funding. This helps ventures like Bena Care grow from early-stage ideas into scalable businesses, impacting hundreds of patients monthly.
In Kenya, the Women in Tech program is an essential platform for female entrepreneurs. It promotes gender inclusion in the tech industry and innovation that meets regional needs.