The Standard Chartered Bank Women in Tech program awarded KES 1.2 million to five participating businesses on Thursday, marking the end of the program’s fifth cohort.
Keyara Botanics, Learning Differently, Aurora Health Systems, Sello, and Digipath received their prize money at a graduation ceremony presided over by Flora Mutahi, Chair of Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Standard Chartered Bank Kenya CEO, Kariuki Ngari, and Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iBizAfrica Incubation Centre- Strathmore University.
Leading Kenyan women entrepreneurs attended the event, including Wandia Gichuru, CEO of Vivo Fashion Group, Winnie Ngumi, CEO of Space and Style Ltd, and Joyce Mbaya, Founder and CEO of Zydii (WiT Alumni).
In March 2022, the 5th cohort of the Women in Tech program was launched, attracting 207 applicants, 10 of whom were chosen to participate in the incubation program.
Nine of these companies were successfully incubated for three months by the @iBizAfrica-Strathmore University network of industry experts, Strathmore faculty, business leaders, experienced mentors, and professionals. This resulted in a rigorous and transparent pitching process for KES 1.2 million ($10,000) in business funding.
Speaking during the event, Kariuki Ngari, CEO & MD of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya & East Africa, said, “as a bank, we are encouraged by the resilience and innovation of these women owned businesses and will continue to support the program as part of our Futuremakers initiative which aims to equip women with skills that help them earn, learn and grow.”
The recipients were chosen following a rigorous judging process conducted by industry experts in both the private and public sectors, seasoned entrepreneurs, and academic thought leaders on solution innovation, market opportunity availability, and social impact in Kenya, among other criteria.
Adding to this, Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director @iLabAfrica and @iBizAfrica Research, Innovation and Incubation Centre, Strathmore University said, “Since 2017, we have received over 1000 applications for the Women in Tech Incubator Program, reflecting the need and demand not only for funding but also for mentorship, advisory, coaching and networking opportunities for women-led businesses.”
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