Every great innovation begins with a stubborn refusal to accept, “This is just how things have always been.” Meaning someone looked at struggling farmers and imagined smarter agriculture. Someone else saw inaccessible services and envisioned technology that includes everyone. Another asked why quality healthcare, clean energy or financial services should remain out of reach and decided to build a solution instead.

This year, fifteen women entrepreneurs have done exactly that. After a highly competitive national selection process, they have earned a place in the 9^th cohort of the Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator, a flagship programme implemented by @iBizAfrica, Strathmore University, in partnership with Village Capital and supported by the Standard Chartered Foundation.

The entrepreneurs will now embark on an intensive journey designed to transform promising innovations into scalable, investment-ready businesses capable of creating lasting social and economic impact.

The selected founders represent a cross-section of Kenya’s innovation ecosystem, developing technology-enabled solutions across agriculture, aquaculture, healthcare, education, renewable energy, manufacturing, accessibility, financial inclusion and climate resilience. While their sectors differ, they all share a commitment to solving real-world problems through innovation.

Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director, @iBizAfrica, said the selection process revealed founders with an exceptional understanding of the problems they are solving.

“These founders are building businesses grounded in real market needs, with solutions that have the potential to create meaningful social and economic value,” he said. “We are pleased to welcome them into the programme and look forward to supporting them as they refine their strategies, strengthen their enterprises and prepare for sustainable growth.”

For Joyce Kibe, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing at Standard Chartered Kenya and Africa, supporting women entrepreneurs is an investment in communities and the country’s future.

“Women entrepreneurs are building businesses that respond to some of the most pressing needs in our communities,” she said. “Through the Women in Tech Accelerator, we are helping these founders access the mentorship, networks and capital-readiness support they need to strengthen their businesses, scale their impact and contribute to inclusive economic growth.”

The programme has become one of Kenya’s most influential platforms for women-led technology ventures by tackling some of the most persistent barriers entrepreneurs face: limited access to capital, strategic mentorship, business networks and investor readiness.

Beyond structured business training, participants receive technical support, leadership development, strategic networking opportunities and coaching tailored to their stage of growth. They will also have the opportunity to pitch for catalytic grant funding to accelerate the next phase of their businesses.

Yazmin Jumaali, Senior Program Manager at Village Capital, believes talent has never been the issue.

“We do not have a shortage of talented women entrepreneurs,” noted Jumaali. “The challenge is ensuring that founders building solutions to critical challenges can access the networks, knowledge and capital they need to scale.”

She further added that the accelerator equips founders with what Village Capital calls the three Cs, community, coaching and capital, to help them grow sustainably without compromising their vision.

At the heart of the programme is @iBizAfrica, Strathmore University’s innovation and incubation hub, which has spent more than a decade nurturing entrepreneurs and strengthening Kenya’s startup ecosystem.

The fifteen startups selected for Women in Tech Kenya Cohort 9 are FishBox Africa Limited, Careerslingo (Qhazi Ltd), Eckeka, Khalayi, Uptyke Consulting Ltd, Premac Care, Trident Analytics, YoungTechiez, Solar Spark Energy Kenya Ltd, Nicowapy, Seta Farm Limited, Sauti Yetu Accessibility Ventures, Nakuru Tubers, Gilbagini Engineering Ltd, and Aqua Hub Kenya. Together, they reflect the diversity, creativity and growing ambition of women-led innovation in Kenya.

The latest cohort also builds on an impressive legacy. Since its inception, the Women in Tech Kenya programme has supported 92 women entrepreneurs, awarded more than KES 51.5 million to women-led startups, and cultivated a thriving network of over 100 women founders driving innovation across multiple sectors of the Kenyan economy.

Sometimes changing the world doesn’t begin in a boardroom, it begins with one founder, one bold idea, and the courage to press “start.”

Article written by Stephen Wakhu.