Startup 360 Connect Targets Early-Stage Capital in Kenya
Kenya’s startup scene has no shortage of ideas or ambition. What it needs now is investors willing to move from interest to commitment.
The UK–Kenya Tech Hub, in partnership with Viktoria Ventures, Anza Village, and POV, are launching Startup 360 Connect (#S360Connect), an initiative designed to strengthen Kenya’s early-stage investment ecosystem by connecting talent, capital, and market access.
This partnership is in line with the UK–Kenya Strategic Partnership in Science, Technology, and Innovation, which aims to support high-growth startups and attract sustainable investments.
At the centre of the collaboration is the Startup 360 Connect Angel Leads Program, delivered by Viktoria Ventures, which focuses on building confident, well-trained angel investors and enabling structured capital deployment into early-stage startups.
Additionally, initiatives such as the African Angel Academy and the Angel Leads Program have helped demystify angel investing and grow a community of informed early-stage investors.
As the ecosystem grows, the need has shifted from awareness to activation, from learning about angel investing to participating meaningfully and collaboratively in it.
“We have spent years building the foundations of angel investing in Africa, and this program represents the next phase of that journey,” said Stephen Gugu, CEO of Viktoria Ventures. “It is about moving beyond awareness into action, building confident investors, strong syndicates, and real capital deployment that founders can rely on.”
However, #S360Connect builds on the success of the recently concluded Angel Leads Program, which resulted in the creation of the Moneva Syndicate and its investment into Afyalishe Wellness.
The new program takes on a broader ecosystem-level approach by supporting emerging investors through structured learning, practical syndicate experience, startup mentorship, and opportunities for real capital deployment.
Furthermore, Startup 360 Connect brings together a three-pillar ecosystem approach, each addressing a critical stage of the startup and investment journey.
Angel Investor Training and Capital Activation (Viktoria Ventures)
Through the Startup 360 Angel Leads Program, participants will receive structured training in angel investing and syndication, hands-on deal evaluation, and practical experience forming and operating investment syndicates. Each participant is expected to commit USD 1,000 into a syndicated deal at the conclusion of the program, with investment decisions made collectively by syndicate members.
“This partnership is about more than training investors, it’s about building the infrastructure for sustainable early-stage capital in Kenya,” said Fiona Kiruja, Programme Manager, Viktoria Ventures, in a statement. “We are creating real pathways for Kenyan investors to learn, lead, and co-invest in startups locally and across borders.”
Founder Readiness and Startup School (Anza Village)
Through a structured journey spanning university innovation clubs, founder training, and problem-based innovation challenges, Startup School supports founders to progress from early ideas to investable ventures.
“Our role at Anza Village is to help founders build strong, investment-ready businesses,” stated Wangechi Wahome, CEO of Anza Village.
“This partnership allows us to align that work with a growing pool of well-trained angel investors. When founders meet investors who truly understand their journey, the entire system becomes more efficient and impactful,” she added.
Startups emerging from Startup School transition directly into the Angel Leads Program for investment readiness and syndicate exposure, ensuring founder preparation and capital deployment function as a single connected pipeline.
Market and VC Linkages (POV)
Through POV’s Growth Path Market and VC Linkages pillar, the program provides exposure to how African startups prepare for international expansion, particularly into the UK. While not guaranteeing investment opportunities, this pillar strengthens investor market understanding, networks, and insights into cross-border growth pathways.
“Market linkages are often the missing piece for African startups,” said Precious Oyelade, Founder and Chief Implementer, POV.
“Through GrowthPath, we are ensuring that founders and investors gain structured insights into UK market entry and scale. It’s not just exposure, it’s informed connection that leads to better long-term outcomes.”
Supported by the UK–Kenya Tech Hub, the program also provides participating investors with direct exposure to UK startup markets, peer networks, and cross-border deal flow, strengthening Kenya’s position within global innovation corridors.
“This partnership reflects a deliberate shift toward strengthening local investment capacity and creating stronger bridges between the Kenya and UK innovation ecosystems,” said Billy Msagha, UK–Kenya Tech Hub. “By equipping investors with the skills and networks they need, we are helping unlock more sustainable pathways for early-stage capital to reach founders.”
The Startup 360 Connect Angel Leads Program will run from February to June 2026, with participants receiving structured training in angel investing and startup syndication, live investor masterclasses and deal deep dives, hands-on formation of investment syndicates, technical support on legal structuring and investment execution, opportunities to mentor high-potential startups and shape their growth journeys through a structured coaching experience, and post-program access to live deal evaluation and cross-border exposure.
Applications for the Startup 360 Connect Angel Leads Program close on Monday, 30th January 2026 at 11:59 PM (EAT).
The Startup 360 Connect project is significant as it is designed to democratize access to angel investing, enabling professionals across the country to participate meaningfully in startup finance.
The project is expected to accelerate the professionalization of angel investing in Kenya while strengthening bridges between East Africa and the UK ecosystem.
Such initiatives signal a broader shift from informal investing to structured, collaborative, and cross-border capital deployment as Kenya’s startup economy continues to grow every day.
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