Kenya's burgeoning economy is home to some of Africa's most resilient and innovative firms, with entrepreneurs creating solutions for their communities that they aim to scale globally. These entrepreneurs can take advantage of a variety of training and financing options provided by incubators and accelerators around the country, which also facilitates frequent opportunities for entrepreneurs to collaborate with public or private sector stakeholders. According to the Kenyan Startup Ecosystem Report 2022, Kenyan firms are accelerating faster and getting more funding than ever before; making it an exciting time for startups to participate in the ecosystem.
In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of startup incubators and accelerators in Kenya. They have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation', 'launch', or 'growth' stages, so whichever stage you're in, you would be able to find a program that suits you!
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FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN KENYA
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Kenya
The complete list of ideation phase startup incubators in Kenya:
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
MBM Africa is a business development, design, and innovation strategy agency that assists African Founders in navigating the foundations of entrepreneurship and commercializing their ideas. Through their MBM Labs Africa program, they offer startup incubation and acceleration. The incubator focuses on early-stage startups and entrepreneurs who are looking to develop their ideas, business strategy, and brand identity, as well as access funding to commercialize. The accelerator is a structured program geared toward scaling the growth of a new or existing business, involving participation in boot camps and hackathons, working with a network of mentors, and the opportunity to pitch to investors.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Sinapsis is a unique community that combines intensive training and access to capital with faith-based principles to help entrepreneurs expand their businesses and simultaneously achieve social and spiritual impact. They offer programs for startups at various stages which involves world-class training and coaching, accountability and discipleship, and financial access for your startup journey. Some notable programs include their Aspire program which trains early and idea-stage entrepreneurs on how to establish a scalable business plan while incorporating their beliefs. They also offer Sinapsis Entrepreneur Academy to accelerate entrepreneurs from the seed to the growth stage and provide them with real industry insights and knowledge on key business concepts. Expanding on the earlier training, select participants may join the Fast Track Accelerator with one-to-one mentoring as well as access to investments.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Kenya
The complete list of launch phase incubators and accelerators in Kenya:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Healthcare
Villgro Africa incubates and invests in African healthcare startups that are impacting the quality of life for the poor and vulnerable on the continent. They offer a tailored incubation experience to assist health and life science startups in effectively scaling their solutions and navigating the African startup ecosystem. Through the incubator, you will be involved in activities such as validating your business model, determining a go-to-market strategy, building brand recognition and acquiring consumers, and preparing for seed or next-round investment.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Land Restoration
To support the AFR100 Initiative's objective of restoring 100 million hectares of land by 2030, the World Resources Institute launched the Land Accelerator Africa initiative. The program offers mentorship, training, and networking opportunities for enterprises that rehabilitate degraded forests, farms, and pastures. The program objective is for entrepreneurs to become investment-ready and prepare a presentation deck and proposal that will entice investors, consumers, and potential partners. At the end of the program, the entrepreneurs will also have a plan for environmental indicators as well as financial modeling for projected growth and capital requirements. The top entrepreneurs may also apply for a Land Accelerator funding package. receiving an innovation grant of at least USD 5,000 each and other perks.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
Nailab is a startup hub that facilitates training and acceleration, community, and funding to allow entrepreneurs to take their ideas to the next level. They offer bespoke training and acceleration programs for startups at various stages and sectors. They also house Community Mwanzo, a virtual platform where entrepreneurs can gain knowledge, business mentorship, and community support on how to build sustainable enterprises that tackle Africa's specific concerns.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
Pangea is a Kenyan-Norwegian accelerator, venture builder, and investment platform that connects African businesses with investors. They support entrepreneurial projects and help them achieve sustainable and scalable business models. They have organized various programs across multiple industries with partners, providing technical assistance, access to funding, comprehensive business training and advice services, as well as coaching and mentorship.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Backing the world's most determined entrepreneurs, Antler Kenya brings together entrepreneurs into Nairobi's thriving startup center to develop their companies. Through their Pre-Seed and Pre-Launch programs, they engage with both aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage teams that use technology to address the problem statements in Africa and help them transform their ideas into game-changing enterprises.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
StartUpAfrica has been collaborating with educational institutions and communities since 2011 to inspire the next generation of creators, founders, change-makers, and innovators. They offer business consulting and accelerator programs to entrepreneurs who have a proof of concept or are preparing to launch their firms. The StartupAfrica accelerator program supports startups' journey from the very first step to achieving investments by assisting and mentoring them through all the early-stage business challenges, including value propositions, bookkeeping, pricing, fundraising, and more.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The Baobab Network is a bespoke accelerator for African tech-driven startups. As each startup is unique, they craft an intensive and customized curriculum to ensure that each participating startup may succeed and offers hands-on support to implement the acceleration plan. They also provide early-stage funding of USD 50,000 along with a worldwide network of specialists, mentors, corporate partners, and investors to jumpstart your company's growth.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Catalyst Fund is a pre-seed fund and accelerator that supports technology firms working to increase the resilience of underprivileged, climate-vulnerable populations. They promote the development of startups and entrepreneurs by offering their specialist and operator's assistance to collaborate in various key areas of the business, namely: product, technology, and design; fundraising and partnerships; talent and growth; and marketing and communications. They run various accelerator programs with partner collaborations, as well as their own accelerator programs focused on Inclusive FinTech and Inclusive Digital Commerce.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The @iBizAfrica business incubator serves as a hub where aspiring entrepreneurs may develop their ICT solutions and build their enterprises. They create an environment where entrepreneurs may build upon new ideas and facilitate mentoring and services such as legal guidance, financial knowledge, and other key resources. They also enable interaction between various investors and corporate partners with tech startups to achieve funding and form industry alliances.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The Standard Chartered Women in Technology Incubator Kenya is Africa's foremost incubator program for female-founded enterprises, created in collaboration with Strathmore University's @iBizAfrica Centre. The program provides a comprehensive startup incubation that is focused on immersive learning and addressing the fundamental components of business growth. The program enables entrepreneurs to go through rigorous training in order to properly acquire and use operational capital, with USD 10,000 being invested in five startups in each cohort.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
MEST is an Africa-wide hub with hubs located in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya. They provide entrepreneur training programs, incubation, and acceleration for tech entrepreneurs and startups. They equip African entrepreneurs with the skills, mentality, and experience needed to develop a scalable software firm through tech and entrepreneurial skills training, as well as investment and access to a global tech network. They help early-stage firms take flight and launch their digital businesses by providing seed investments ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. We also provide incubation and access to a worldwide tech ecosystem.
Growth Stage Accelerators in Kenya
The complete list of growth stage startup accelerators in Kenya:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Healthtech, Agritech, Fintech, Edtech, Circular Economy, Creative industries
C3, standing for Companies Creating Change, is a social enterprise helping entrepreneurs in the MENA region to grow and create a positive impact on the community. They offer programs that target different geographies and growth stages, including the MultiChoice Africa Accelerator which works with promising startups in impactful sectors and assists them in scaling up throughout the continent and around the world. The program provides startups with entrepreneurial skills, access to resources, and a network of global investors that will allow them to expand their businesses.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
iHub is an innovation center that is committed to increasing the use of social capital and technology to promote economic success. They provide a network and offer programs for aspiring tech entrepreneurs and existing tech startups. Currently, they are running the Women in Business initiative that empowers women entrepreneurs who manage women-owned/women-led sustainable enterprises in Kenya's ICT industry. They also offer the Expansion 101 program that equips companies with knowledge and support as they attempt to grow into new markets.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
GrowthAfrica is a growth partner committed to assisting entrepreneurs in scaling their organization's profitability, making it investment-ready, and enhancing business and leadership skills. Through business acceleration, strategic assistance, and access to capital, they help African startups to expand in and throughout Africa. The program will allow startups to develop a deeper understanding of their own businesses, articulate growth challenges, and identify and craft a growth strategy.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The Innovation Spark Africa program in Kenya is a dynamic and transformative opportunity for startups aiming to thrive in the local business ecosystem. With its comprehensive support, tailored curriculum, and extensive network, the program equips entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and connections needed to accelerate their growth and achieve long-term success. From state-of-the-art facilities to workshops, training sessions, and access to funding opportunities, the program provides startups with the necessary support to refine their strategies, scale their operations, and navigate the challenges of building a business. Through a competitive application process, eligible startups gain access to a vibrant community of like-minded individuals and mentors who share their passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. Joining the Innovation Spark Africa program opens doors to invaluable guidance, market insights, and collaboration opportunities, positioning startups for success in the Kenyan market and beyond.
Closing Thoughts on Joining a Startup Accelerator or Incubator in Kenya
Kenya's well-established reputation as a pioneer in Africa's innovation industry presents great future prospects for startups. We are excited to see the Kenyan startup ecosystem improving and expanding further via knowledge-sharing and collaboration between local and foreign firms, government bodies, institutions, and startups through these accelerator and incubator programs in Kenya.