Applications for Cohort 9 of the Women in Tech (WiT) programme are now officially open, marking another milestone in advancing women-led innovation and entrepreneurship across Africa.
Launched by iBizAfrica Incubation Centre in partnership with Standard Chartered and Village Capital, the programme continues to position itself as a leading accelerator for women entrepreneurs building technology-driven solutions.
The Women in Tech programme is implemented under Standard Chartered’s Futuremakers initiative and delivered through iBizAfrica at Strathmore University. This collaboration blends global expertise with local ecosystem support—creating a powerful platform for women to transform ideas into scalable businesses.
Since its inception in 2017, the programme has attracted over 1,600 applications, trained more than 90 startups, and awarded over KES 50 million in funding to women-led ventures.
The 12-week accelerator is designed to equip women founders with the tools, networks, and confidence needed to scale their businesses. Participants receive tailored mentorship from industry experts, hands-on business and technical training, and access to investors and strategic networks. They also become part of a strong alumni ecosystem, with the opportunity to secure $10,000 (approximately KES 1.3 million) in equity-free seed funding, alongside continued support for up to nine months after the programme.
Beyond funding, the programme addresses critical gaps in access to mentorship, capital, and market linkages—key barriers that many women entrepreneurs face.
Real Impact: Alumni Success Stories
The programme’s impact is best reflected in the success of its alumni. Entrepreneurs like Yvonne Mose, founder of MOMA Renewable Energy, have significantly scaled their businesses—expanding production, unlocking strategic partnerships, and securing funding after going through the programme.
Other standout ventures include Bena Care Ltd, a fast-growing healthcare service provider; Pollen Smart Hive, which leverages technology to protect bee populations; and Timao Group Limited, a circular economy venture transforming plastic waste into sustainable building materials.
These businesses are not only profitable but are also addressing real-world challenges across sectors such as health, agriculture, climate, and fintech.
Through intensive training, mentorship, and peer learning, founders gain resilience and leadership skills needed to navigate entrepreneurship. As highlighted during past cohorts, participants often balance multiple roles—yet continue to innovate and lead impactful ventures.
The programme also integrates Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, ensuring that businesses are not only scalable but also sustainable and socially responsible.
What started as a Kenyan initiative has now expanded into a regional and global programme, reaching markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan—a testament to its growing influence and success.
With applications now open, women entrepreneurs in tech are encouraged to seize this opportunity to accelerate their businesses.
About the Author
