Enterprise

6 Kenyan startups picked for global tech training

tech

Go Global Africa programme see tech as a force for good in society. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Six Kenyan technological start-ups have been selected to participate in the Go Global innovation scheme to receive training on their business skills and capability in the United Kingdom.

The programme which will also engage startups from Nigeria and from South Africa seeks to build African links with the UK’s tech sector.

The six winners from Kenya include health financing startup Afya-Plan, agritech firms Myfugo Innovations and CropCrowd, fintech companies Cherehani Africa and FlexPay Technologies as well as water management business Elikham Systems Limited.

During the two-week programme, the startups will receive coaching from pitching experts Enterprise Academy; participate in a public speaking masterclass and receive advice on scaling up from PriceWaterHouseCoopers’ dedicated startup team and the Natwest Fintech Accelerator.

Tech for good accelerator Bethnal Green Ventures will also provide the startups with insights on how to launch and leverage technology for ventures, and Carlos Espinal from Seedcamp will provide guidance on fundraising. “It is fantastic to welcome these talented entrepreneurs to the UK.

Africa is a vibrant and dynamic continent, with huge potential for growth, and the firms chosen for the first Go Global Africa programme see tech as a force for good in society,” said the UK’s Minister for Digital, Margot James.

“I’ve no doubt they have the talent to play a transformative role in their country’s growth while also building connections for UK startups in new markets and highlighting Britain as the place to develop new technology.”

Other UK Initiatives in Kenya include the Kenya Catalytic Jobs Fund which is currently running a Business Innovation Challenge. The fund will select up to five innovative initiatives to receive grant funding and technical assistance worth up to Sh13 million.