Standard Chartered Bank, in partnership with the iBizAfrica Incubation Center at Strathmore University, have announced the winners of the Standard Chartered Women in Tech (WIT) Cohort 7.
Seven Kenyan women-led startups have been awarded USD 10,000 (Ksh 1.2 M) each for their innovative solutions to socio-economic challenges.
The winning startups were selected from a pool of 15 businesses that completed a three-month incubation program. The selection was based on their ability to address pressing issues through technological innovation, aligning with this year’s theme, “Empowering Women for a Sustainable Future.”
The Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program dubbed #SCWomenInTech is Africa’s leading incubator for female-founded businesses, promoting gender diversity in technology and entrepreneurship.
Since its launch in 2017, the program has supported over 77 women-led businesses, with 32 startups receiving seed funding.
The seven winners are:
Yvonne Nyanduko, the founder of MOMA Renewable Energy, a startup that produces liquid renewable fuels derived from food waste and by products.
Jael Walukwe, the founder of Hayah Craddle to Bloom, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven company that directly address the need to educate and empower mothers and enhance their well-being.
Nelly Alili, the founder of Zidallie, a firm that offer transportation services that provide safe and efficient solutions for students pickups and drop offs.
Elizabeth Nduta, the founder of Gwiji for Women, a startup that empowers marginalized and under priviledged women from slum communities who are employed as casual cleaners.
Mueni Kioko, the founder of Zaoshinani, a fintech driving agricultural transformation using technology and data to steer financial inclusion among smallholder farmers in Kenya.
Nancy Wachiuri, the founder of AerialGIS, a startup that seamlessly fuses subdivision maps with interactive mapping and Virtual Reality (VR) technology to virtually transport property seekers to the property location in the map.
Dr Kingi Mochache, the founder of PsychCare Clinic, a conventional clinic regulated by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board (KMPD), seeking to revolutionize mental healthcare in Africa by seamlessly extending the therapeutic alliance beyond the clinic walls by leveraging on technology.
The winners also received a certificate and a trophy during the event.
Speaking to TechJournal, founder of Hayah Craddle to Bloom said,” I am proud of the achievement and we thank God. We are excited and ready to stand and fill the gap in maternal and infant health and change the conversation in regard to cultural taboos.”
Managing Director and Chief Executive Office (CEO) of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya, Kariuki Ngari said,”We are thrilled to recognize and support these exceptional women entrepreneurs. Their dedication to using technology for positive impact is inspiring, and we are committed to empowering them to scale their businesses and contribute to a sustainable future.”
The winning startups will receive mentorship, coaching, and business development support to help them grow their ventures. They will also join a network of successful women entrepreneurs who have benefited from the program.
“The Standard Chartered Women in Tech Program has been instrumental in providing the resources and support that our startups need to succeed,” said Dr. Vincent Ogutu, Vice Chancellor at Strathmore University. “We are proud to partner with Standard Chartered to empower women entrepreneurs and drive innovation in Kenya.”
#SCWomenInTech Alumni Joyce Kibe, Co-Founder and CEO of GIVE Ltd shared her journey through the program and how it enabled her businesses to scale.
She noted, “As we graduate the 7th #SCWomenInTech cohort today, I would like to congratulate all the participants and also the entrepreneurs’ women that will receive seed money for upscaling their business. To all participants of the WIT, we wish you all the best.”