Twelve Kenyan edtech startups have been selected for the third cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, a prestigious acceleration program aimed at scaling innovative education technology solutions across the continent.
Launched in 2019, the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is designed to support promising African education technology ventures by offering business support, equity-free funding, and post-programme advisory services to help them scale, achieve long-term sustainability, and enhance learning outcomes.
The six-month programme is run in partnership with local hubs like iHub Kenya, and has already made an impact in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and more recently Egypt.
Funding and Support for Education Innovation in Kenya
Each selected startup will receive up to $100,000 in equity-free funding, product development support, and advisory services for up to 12 months post-programme. During the fellowship, participating startups will strengthen their solutions, expand market reach, and deepen their impact within Kenya’s education ecosystem.
“Welcoming our third cohort is a proud moment for us,” said Nissi Madu, Managing Partner at iHub Kenya. “This year’s selection process was more competitive than ever. We intentionally sought ventures with strong potential and a commitment to gender diversity. These startups are building the future of education and opportunity in Africa.”
Meet the 12 Kenyan EdTech Startups Selected for the 2024 Fellowship
- LeadNow by Dignitas – A professional development platform empowering teachers and school leaders with data-driven coaching and competency-based tools to improve student learning outcomes.
- Cloud School System – An all-in-one school management platform that automates administration, enhances learning, and simplifies payment processes for institutions.
- Elimu Shop – Develops game-based, interactive math and science resources that make learning fun and engaging for students.
- iFunza – An AI-powered education platform offering personalised learning, school financing solutions, and curriculum support for underserved communities.
- Infoney Solutions Limited – Provides curriculum-aligned digital content, smart devices, and training to modernize traditional classrooms.
- M-Lugha Technologies – A multilingual, offline-capable app promoting basic literacy and numeracy using indigenous African languages for youth and adult learners.
- Nyansapo AI – Uses AI-driven assessments to improve reading and math outcomes with a mission to reach 2 million learners by 2030.
- Bigbrainz Solutions Limited – Created DigiSkool for school operations and DigiSTEM, a platform that teaches coding and robotics to students, combining STEM and efficient school management.
- Verb Education – Offers digital tools like the CBC App that reduce admin work for educators while enabling data-driven teaching and learning improvement.
- AHAINNOVATE – Builds solar-powered offline learning systems with interactive content for children aged 5–13 in underserved communities.
- Zydii – A B2B SaaS platform that delivers bite-sized, TikTok-style workforce upskilling content via WhatsApp, web, and mobile.
- Digifunzi – Equips schools with tools to integrate AI, robotics, and coding into the curriculum, helping learners gain future-ready digital skills.
Supporting the Future of African Education
This third cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship reflects a growing effort to invest in scalable education solutions that address gaps in infrastructure, access, and quality. By fostering innovation in edtech in Kenya, the programme plays a crucial role in equipping African youth with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age.
