The Tech Incubator has shortlisted 40 teams for the Kes 20 million Standard Chartered Women in Tech Incubatorcapacity building programme.  The 40 have been shortlisted from more than 200 applications in the initiative targeting women-led start up teams of 2 – 3 people leveraging on technology as a key driver of innovation in business. The applicants were drawn from the general public, schools, colleges and universities in Kenya.

The 40 teams will advance to the selection pitch, a two stage process (semi-final and final) that will see only 10 of the best selected for the incubation program to compete for up to KES. 1 million in seed funding.

Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iBizAfrica- Strathmore University, noted that through the incubator program female-led startups in the ICT sector are envisaged to transform Kenya through innovation.

“This marks the beginning of a journey of innovation that will see top 10 female-led startups transform into viable businesses. We congratulate the shortlisted teams and wish them the best of luck in the remaining selection stages. It’s very encouraging that we received applications from all over the country! We believe the shortlisted teams have great potential for advancing to the finals. We thank our experienced judges for helping us shortlist the top 40 out of more than 180 applications,” added Dr. Joseph Sevilla.

The teams were shortlisted based on performance in the programme’s 100 points criteria such as female founder eligibility above 18 years, Teams of at least three people who demonstrated capacity to execute: clearly defined roles, balanced skill set (team lead, business development, product development and marketing). Addressing problems and solution innovation, availability of Market opportunity and social impact in Kenya.

The launch of the programme in Kenya follows a successful rollout of a similar initiative in USA by Standard Chartered.  The Bank first launched the programme to support women in technology in 2014 at the City College of New York where it created the Women Entrepreneurs Resource Center. The US program includes a dedicated workspace, mentorship, coursework and access to an extensive network designed to support entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of starting a business.

The shortlisted teams are:

1. Majik Water
2. Grassroots Bima
3. Taimba Ltd
4. Zoa
5. Sakal Africa Limited
6. Redhunt
7. Tekkies Kenya Bn-N6gcpm
8. Helvetian Company Limited
9. Botlab Limited
10. Savanna Circuit Technologies Ltd

11. Bim Registry
12. Catapult Studios
13. Greymate Care
14. Jobonics
15. Lindaafya
16. Gari Soko Consulting
17. Esvendo
18. Bamboo Design Afrika Ltd
19. Bima Kenya Agency Ltd
20. Mimea Poa Consultancy
21. Beta Art Kenya
22. Bismart Insurance Agency Ltd
23. Nekkta
24. Zydii
25. Avopower
26. Gawana Rideshare
27. Unified Arts
28. Niokoe App
29. MotoAlarm
30. Cnc Kenya
31. Brightgreen Renewable Energy
32. The Magunga Bookstore
33. Bar Limited
34. Zalika Creatives Limited
35. Farmallke
36. Mzurii Kenya
37. African Solutional Technology
38. Rickard Retail Watch
39. Somethinggrown Company Ltd
40. Bluewave Insurance Agency Limited

For more information contact Bernard Chiira on bchira@strathmore.edu