Latitude59 Opens 2026 Kenya Pitch Competition

Startup and technology event Latitude59 is returning to Kenya for the fourth consecutive year, with applications now open for its 2026 Kenya Pitch Competition. The competition is open to early-stage startups from Kenya and other African countries, with selected finalists set to compete for non-equity funding, partner prizes and a place on the main stage of Latitude59 Kenya Edition in Nairobi.

The event will take place on December 3–4 in Nairobi. December 3 will focus on investor activities and side events, while the main conference and pitch competition will be held on December 4. Latitude59 CEO Liisi Org said the event’s return to Kenya reflects its efforts to connect African startups with investors and ecosystem participants from other regions.

“Rooted in Estonia, Latitude59 has established a strong international presence and built strong connections across Africa. Our events in Kenya and South Africa have shown that our commitment to building bridges between Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Nordic countries creates new opportunities for startups, investors, partners, and the global ecosystem. We are now returning to Kenya for the fourth year in a row and inviting founders from across Africa to apply for the opportunity to present their startups on the Latitude59 Pitch Competition stage in Nairobi this December,” said Org.

Last year’s Kenya edition attracted around 2,000 participants, according to the organisers. A similar turnout is expected this year, including about 600 investors from Africa, Europe, the Nordic countries and Asia.

Latitude59 is also planning two pre-events in Uganda and Zambia this year, marking the first time the event will hold activities in the two countries. The Kenya Pitch Competition will be held on the main stage on December 4. Startups will be assessed based on factors including their technology component, scalability, product development and traction.

According to Latitude59 Head of Investor-Startup Relations Krista Meinarde, the competition is open to startups across sectors, although applicants are expected to demonstrate a viable technology-driven business and potential for growth.

“Last year, the Latitude59 Pitch Competition attracted over 600 startup participants, and we expect similar interest this year. I’m very excited to return to Kenya and look forward to working with this year’s candidates. We do not restrict applicants to specific sectors, but a strong technological component and a clearly scalable business model are important. Ideally, we are looking for startups with a functioning MVP, clear traction, and teams that are actively fundraising,” explained Meinarde.

Ten startups will be selected from the applicants to receive pitch training and mentoring before competing in the final competition. The finalists will compete for a pool of non-equity funding and prizes provided by Latitude59 partners. One of the finalists will also receive a fast-track invitation to attend Latitude59 2027 in Tallinn, Estonia, with the organisers covering round-trip travel costs.

The competition provides an opportunity for early-stage startups seeking investment to present their businesses to investors and other participants attending the Nairobi event.