Standard Chartered Kenya Announces Cohort 8 Women In Tech Graduates

Standard Chartered Kenya has awarded approximately USD 70,543 (KES 9.1 million) to seven women-led enterprises through its eighth Women in Tech (WiT) Accelerator Programme, supporting tech-driven solutions that tackle key social and economic challenges in Kenya.

The funding, issued in partnership with @iBizAfrica – Strathmore University, saw each of the seven enterprises receive USD 10,078 ( KES 1.3 million) in seed capital during the Cohort 8 graduation ceremony held in Nairobi on 28 November 2025. Now in its eighth year, the Women in Tech Programme continues to equip women entrepreneurs with the tools, skills and resources they need to scale innovative, sustainable and impact-driven businesses.

The initiative is part of Standard Chartered’s broader commitment to advancing gender equality, inclusive growth and digital transformation. It focuses on strengthening women-led businesses by offering business training, mentorship, access to markets and technical support to leverage technology in addressing economic and environmental challenges.

According to a World Bank study, women-owned businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa contribute up to 13 per cent of GDP but generate 23 per cent less revenue than male-owned firms,  pointing to a KES 41 trillion (USD 316 billion) opportunity if the gap is closed through increased support and digital adoption.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Standard Chartered Kenya Board Director Nivi Sharma said, “Every woman graduating today represents resilience, vision and the power of possibility. It is an honour to celebrate innovators who are breaking barriers and creating impact in their communities. Through the Women in Tech Programme, Standard Chartered continues to invest intentionally in women because we know that when women lead, innovation becomes more inclusive, sustainable and far-reaching. These graduates are setting the pace for Kenya’s future.”

Cohort 8 was launched in July 2025 and attracted 84 applications from women-led enterprises across the country. From these, 15 businesses were selected to take part in a rigorous 12-week accelerator programme focused on sustainability, ESG integration, financial and business modelling, and product development. Their solutions are designed to respond to Kenya’s evolving economic and social challenges, with technology at the enabler. The cohort represented diverse sectors including education, health technology, community care, sustainability, food innovation and the creative industries.

Funding recipients were determined through an extensive judging process conducted by a panel of industry experts, entrepreneurs and academic leaders. The assessment focused on three main criteria: innovation of the solution, size of market opportunity and social impact potential in Kenya.

Strathmore University Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Vincent Ogutu, reaffirmed the university’s role in shaping future-ready African innovators, saying: “These women are reimagining industries and rewriting the story of African innovation. Their courage, creativity and commitment to impact reflect the very essence of Strathmore University’s mission to develop leaders who transform society. When women rise in technology, entire communities rise with them.”

The seven winners of the 2025 Women in Tech Cohort 8 Programme are:

• Etiba East Africa – Provides in-home medical and wellness services for patients needing personaliSed, convenient health support.
• UzimaNexus – A digital operating system improving healthcare transparency, access, and efficiency for patients and providers.
• Pollen Patrollers – Builds smart hive-monitoring technology to help beekeepers reduce colony loss and improve bee health.
• Tuwe Bora – A sustainable textile brand producing handcrafted clothing, training tailors, and recycling textile waste.
• Busu Skincare – Develops natural, community-powered African skincare products using locally sourced ingredients.
• Timao Group – Converts plastic waste into affordable, eco-friendly building materials for sustainable construction.
• AshaCare – Provides tailored community healthcare solutions to improve access, quality, and delivery of care.

Since its inception in 2017, the Women in Tech Programme has received more than 1,621 applications and supported eight cohorts comprising 93 women-led ventures. Of these, 46 businesses have received a combined total of KES 50.6 million (USD 460,000) in funding, alongside non-financial support such as mentorship, business advisory services, networking opportunities and investor linkages.

Standard Chartered data shows that WiT alumni have gone on to create an average of three new jobs per business, resulting in approximately 280 jobs overall. Among the programme’s standout success stories is Bena Care Ltd, which offers affordable home-based nursing and in-home therapy services. The company has since grown to generate more than KES 2.47 billion in annual revenue, demonstrating the powerful ripple effect of investing in women-led innovation.