Standard Chartered Kenya, in partnership with Strathmore University’s @iBizAfrica, has awarded KES 9.1 million in seed funding to seven women-led technology startups following the graduation of the 8th Cohort of the Women in Tech (WiT) Accelerator Programme.
During the ceremony held on Friday, November 28, 2025, seven outstanding businesses were selected from a group of 15 finalists to receive KES 1.3 million each. The funding is aimed at helping these enterprises scale their high-impact, tech-enabled solutions that address critical sectors including healthcare, sustainability, and creative industries.
The 8th Cohort, which launched in July 2025, attracted 84 applications from across the country. The 15 shortlisted startups underwent a rigorous 12-week accelerator curriculum focused on business modeling, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) integration, and product development.
The seven winners were selected by a panel of industry experts, seasoned entrepreneurs, and academic leaders based on their innovation, scalability, and social impact. The recipients of the KES 1.3 million seed grants are:
- Pollen Patrollers: An agritech solution building smart hive-monitoring technology to reduce bee colony loss and improve bee health using IoT and AI.
- UzimaNexus: A digital healthcare operating system designed to improve transparency, access, and efficiency for patients and providers.
- Etiba East Africa: A provider of personalized in-home medical and wellness services for patients requiring convenient health support.
- Timao Group: A sustainability venture converting plastic waste into affordable, eco-friendly building materials for construction.
- Tuwe Bora: A sustainable textile brand that produces handcrafted clothing, trains local tailors, and recycles textile waste.
- Busu Skincare: A beauty brand developing natural, community-powered African skincare products using locally sourced ingredients.
- AshaCare: A health-tech startup providing tailored community healthcare solutions to improve the quality and delivery of care.
Speaking at the event, Standard Chartered Kenya Board Director Nivi Sharma emphasized the bank’s intentional investment in women to foster inclusive innovation.
“Every woman graduating today represents resilience, vision, and the power of possibility. It is an honour to celebrate innovators who are breaking barriers and creating impact in their communities,” Sharma said. “We know that when women lead, innovations become more inclusive, sustainable, and far-reaching. These graduates are setting the pace for Kenya’s future.”
Dr. Vincent Ogutu, Vice Chancellor of Strathmore University, reiterated the university’s commitment to shaping ethical African leaders. “These women are reimagining industries and rewriting the story of African innovation. Their courage, creativity, and commitment to impact reflect the very essence of Strathmore University’s mission. When women rise in tech, the entire community rises with them,” he stated.
According to a World Bank study, women-owned businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa contribute up to 13% of the GDP but often generate less revenue than male-owned firms. Closing this gap through digital adoption represents a KES 41 trillion (USD 316 billion) economic opportunity.
Since its inception in 2017, the Standard Chartered Women in Tech programme has received over 1,621 applications and supported 93 women-led ventures across eight cohorts. To date, 46 businesses have received a total of KES 50.6 million (approx. USD 460,000) in funding.
Beyond capital, the program provides mentorship, business advisory, and access to investor networks. Data from Standard Chartered indicates that WiT alumni have created a total of 280 jobs, averaging three new jobs per business.
Notable alumni success stories include Bena Care Ltd, a home-based nursing provider from a previous cohort. According to the bank’s latest data, Bena Care has recorded exceptional growth, generating over KES 2.47 billion in annual revenue, underscoring the potential scale of startups nurtured through the program.
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