Now, more than ever, the world needs entrepreneurs to build the future.
As a result, the Founder Institute, the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator, is excited to announce that it is officially launching its newest chapter in Nairobi. While the Silicon-Valley based program has chapters in over 200 cities worldwide, early-stage entrepreneurs in Nairobi can finally now take advantage of the Founder Institute's renowned structure, mentor support, and network to build an enduring company.
Applications to the first ever Nairobi Founder Institute are now open, and anyone interested in building a technology company can apply at FI.co/apply/nairobi.
The Founder Institute provides high-potential entrepreneurs and teams with the support network and structured growth process needed to get to traction and funding, and build something that matters.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 8,100 Alumni raise over 1.9BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more (see the FI 10 Year Impact Report here).
To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in Nairobi, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs and hear more about the program from the comfort of your home:
- How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 8:00pm, Sep 17, 2025 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/377248
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 8:00pm, Sep 22, 2025 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/377462
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 8:00pm, Oct 06, 2025 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/377794
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 8:00pm, Oct 27, 2025 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/377631
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 4:00am, Nov 11, 2025 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/378974
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Kirby Winfield: 9:00pm, Nov 17, 2025 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/379397
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 9:00pm, Nov 24, 2025 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/379528
The experts that have been critical in bringing the Founder Institute to Nairobi include local startup leaders FI Kenya (Mama Ventures), Kitawa Wemo (Founder & CEO, MAMA Social Ventures), Noreen Likimani, Winnie Mandela.
Opportunities are now flourishing in Nairobi and throughout Kenya. There's a great ecosystem for entrepreneurs - from crowdfunding platforms to co-working spaces. The Founder Institute can increase an aspiring technology entrepreneur's chance of success by providing the necessary skills and mindset - and a link to the Silicon Valley!
In addition, many of the region's top founders, CEOs, advisors, and investors have signed on to mentor new entrepreneurs in the Kenya 2026 Founder Institute program, including:
- Abdulaziz Omar: Founder and CEO, SaveApp Limited
- Adeo Ressi: CEO, Decile Group / VC Lab
- AGGREY ANDUURU: A, ESSENTIAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED
- Agnel Nadida: Managing Partner, Ndindi and Nadida Advocates LLP
- Alex Magwe: Fullstack Developer
- Ann Gitari: Entrepreneurship Skills Development Trainer, The Writing Agency Kenya
- Anne Salim, Qhala
- Annrita Njoroge: Project Assistant
- Antony Kimani: Investor | Entrepreneur | Newton Venture Fellow
- Benson Maweu: Founder, Yuuji Shopping Ltd
- Berg Moe: Chairman, Gründervekst AS
- Bolanle Afuye: Head of Digital Services, TPAY MOBILE
- Brian Maphosa: Business Coach , TBD NA NA
- Brian Mogeni: CEO and Co-Founder, https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmogeni/
- Brian Ngaira: UX Researcher & Developer, Made by People
- Bruce Lucas: Founder, Olotu Square
- Cephas Karanja: Digital Transformation Director, ADK Technologies
- Chintan Oza: Founder, Anantam Ecosystems
- Cynthia Mburugu: Ms , Optimum Options Limited
- Delila Kidanu: Co-Founder & COO, Koa Technology
- Denis Karema: CEO, SokoFresh
- Easter Fanning
- Edwin Alum: CEO, Mula Export
- Elishama Okungu
- Elizabeth B-Amissah
- Erick Mokaya: Founder, Mwango Capital
- Eunice Nyandat: CEO, MBM Labs
- Evans Wadongo: Partner, Wadson Ventures
- Faith Chege: Portfolio Coordintor, EEP Africa
- Farhat Bashir: Founding CEO, Seerab Technologies
- Fatuma Dabassa: Founder-CEO, Urembo hub limited-www.urembohub.com
- Folarin Adegbemle: Senior Operations Associate, Research Evaluation and Data Team, IDInsight
- Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Co-Founder, Vitamin C&S Coaching
- Gbenga Owolabi: Mr., Pendaxia Limited
- Glenn Digollo: Co-Founder & CSO, PeerCarbon
- Grace Kabicho: General and Finance Manager, Izon Production Limited
- Haris Ali: Founder and CEO, Vertechx Technologies
- Harry Mwangi: Vice President of Sales, EGM Securities
- Ife Oyedele: Co-founder, Kobo360
- Ivan Ivanka: CEO / General Partner, i1x Venture Studio / Camel Capital
- Jan Okonji: Founder, Business Growth Solutions
- Jean Tristan Mianze: Managing Director , Premier Three Logistics
- Jerry Oche: Founder/CEO, Zowasel
- Joanne Mutsekwa: Ms, Daylio|T Advisory
- Joe Ndirangu: Senior Legal Officer, Equity Group Holdings Plc and Equity Group Foundation
- Joel Wanjohi, Equator
- Jonathan Okanlawon: Co-Founder/Board Executive , Global Croft Ltd
- Joseph Karasha: Sr. Cloud Solution Architect , Microsoft
- Joshua Murima: Head of Engagement & Investor Relations, Briter Bridges
- Kanyi Ohawa: Director, All and Sundry Ltd
- Ken Oloo: Founder and Team Lead, Filamujuani
- Kessiena Majemite: Founder/Managing Partner, CeedCap
- Kirumba Mwaura: CEO, MSCA ltd
- Kitawa Wemo: Founder, MAMA Social Ventures
- Lanre Aina, ATHLST CO. LLC
- Lavina Ramkissoon: AI Ethics and Technology Policy, African Union
- Lavina Ramkissoon: Africa's Voice - Chairperson and Director #aiMom, Founder Institute
- Lemuel Abishua: Product Manager, The Room
- Leonard Korir: CEO, MobiDev
- Lewam Kefela: Investment Director, Partech Partners
- Lewi Maina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewi-maina-770a7a32, Simplex Business Solutions
- Lilian Wambua: Operations Manager, Crosswise Works
- Lincoln Njogu: Founder, Devs Kenya
- Lindiwe Ngwenya
- Linus Wahome: CEO, ManPro
- Lujain Abbas: Legal and Compliance Lead, Lami Technologies Limited
- Mandela Winnie: Product Associate, Amref Health Africa
- Maureen Macharia: CEO, Spindle Design
- Meghan Mc Cormick: Co-Founder & CEO, OZE, & Dare to Innovate
- Mercy Kimalat: CEO, ASSEK
- More Argwings-Kodhek: Director of Marketing, Made by People
- Muthoni Wachira: Founder and CEO, ABC Studio
- Mutugi M'Narobi: Managing Director, Made by People
- Nadia KANOUN: CEO, Senior Adviser, Trainer & Coach, IHSCEN for Startups
- Nafiesah Abrahams: Community Manager, MEST Africa
- Ndambuki Mutie: Senior Lead-Talent Acquisition, M-KOPA
- Njoki Munene: Community & Social Media Manager, Sahihi Africa
- Noreen Likimani: Program and Project Manager, MBM Africa
- Nurudeen Elias: Chief Operating Officer, Robert & John Ltd.
- Nyasha Mutsekwa, Adapt IT
- Ochieng' G. Akatch: Partner, MO Advocates LLP (MO Legal)
- Oliver Wainaina: Lead Software Engineer, Sauti Salama
- Olusola Amusan: Founder/CEO, Coven Works
- Oluwatomisin Ashimolowo: Strategy Consultant, Profectus Capital
- Paul Breloff: CEO / Co-Founder, Shortlist
- Paul Angatia: Regional Director, Kybernan Technologies
- Paul Kioi: Group Information Systems Manager, FCS
- Peter Ongera: Founder Director, African Homestay and Safaris
- Rachel Ndungu: CEO, Biashara Africa
- Rashaan Campbell: Senior Advisor, Director of Business Development, Pumapa Capital
- Reynolds Mwangi Mungai: Co-founder & CEO, Lukhu Inc.
- Richard Otolo, 8teq solutions
- Rohan Vaidya: General Manager, Elluminati Inc
- Rose Mary Nakasenge Bbosa: Founder, MARBO GLOBAL INVESTMENTS LTD
- Samson Wachira: Head of Development, Paddy Kenta
- Sean Karanja: Founder, Project Exponential Kenya
- Sheilah Birgen: CEO, The CoRD
- Sheillah Nyang'ara: Founder and CEO, SNN-Realtor
- Shiro Theuri: VP Engineering, Sendy
- Sola Adekanye: Founder, Open Innovation Access
- Somet Kipchilat: Head of Product, Poa Internet
- Stella Odiwuor
- Stephen Ojji: Principal, Nocopycats LLC
- Sumaiyah Omar: Advocate, Mediator and Arbitrator , IPOA
- Tesh Mbaabu: Founder, Mesozi Group
- Tessie Omulo: Director, Female Founders Kenya
- Tim Dagori: Practice Lead, Technology and Society Practice , Co-creation Hub
- Timame Wanyoike: ., Liquid Intelligent Technologies
- Timothy Kotin: CEO & CoFounder, Superfluid Labs
- Tirus Wanyoike: Lead Solution Architect & Customer Experience, BCK
- Tobi Lafinhan: Co-Founder, Venture for Africa
- Tsedai Chagwedera: Principal, Echovc Partners
- Vincent Ngondi
- Vincent Aberi: Founder , Hillcroft Technologies
- Wakai Akino: Senior Consultant, Aliquot Ltd
- Wambita Okanya: CEO, Koho Communications
- Wanjiru Chabeda: Independent Consultant, Independent Consultant
- Wanjiru Kamande: Miss, SELF EMPLOYED
- Whitney Ogutu: Community Design Manager, The Room
- Yobdar Bakri, The Executive Office of East Africa
- And many more to be announced.
The Founder Institute is designed for founders and teams all throughout the pre-seed stage, including aspiring founders with a full-time job, solo founders, teams, and founders of established companies that are pre-funding. The organization's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and build sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.
Join us in Kenya and help build the future.
Apply to the Kenya 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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