Kenyan operator Safaricom announced it will open applications for the second round of its acceleration program in Kenya. According to the company, early-stage startups in technology, fintech, creative economy and those scaling SME productivity tools in the country are eligible.
Applications start on April 1st and will close on May 15, 2025. Applicants can find more information on the dedicated page.
“This will offer an opportunity for more start-ups to benefit from capacity building and training, bespoke product development and technology support, access to market opportunities and access to capital,” the operator stated in a press release.
The Spark Accelerator program was launched last year following the restructuring of Safaricom’s Spark Venture Fund. The program is committed to fostering transformative growth within Kenya’s tech ecosystem by supporting early-stage startups.
The program is a partnership with Sumitomo Corporation and M-PESA Africa. Other partners include iHub, which is the implementing partner, and AWS, Vodacom and PwC as supporting partners.
Investor Demo Day
The announcement follows a demo day by nine startups selected in the first round of the program. They showcased their achievements and potential while fostering connections with prospective investors.
The startups are Health X Africa, Vunapay, BlackRhino VR, Twiva, Chpter, Churpy, Nobuk Africa, Faidi HR and Chumz.
The investor demo day is the final phase of the accelerator program for these startups, aiming to enable them to raise funding from leading venture capital funds.
“At Safaricom, we believe technology is a catalyst for change and solutions, and that’s why we incentivise and support innovative startups with the tools they need to reach the next level,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom.
