Twelve Kenyan startups have been selected for the third cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship.
Launched in 2019, the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is an entrepreneurship acceleration programme that supports promising African ed-tech ventures. It provides critical business, financial, and educational support to help ed-tech companies scale, achieve sustainability, and increase impact.
The six-month programme has already supported dozens of companies in Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, and recently expanded to Egypt.
Over the six-month acceleration period, ed-tech companies will work to strengthen their products, grow their market presence, and deepen their impact across Kenya’s education systems. In addition, they will receive up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding and post-programme advisory support for up to 12 months.
Twelve startups have now been selected for the third edition of the Kenyan programme. They are:
- LeadNow by Dignitas – a professional development platform designed to equip teachers and school leaders with the skills they need to drive better learning outcomes for students while combining data-driven insights with individualised, competency-based coaching.
- Cloud School System – a scalable, all-in-one online platform that automates school management, enhances learning outcomes, and simplifies payment processes for educational institutions.
- Elimu Shop – an education innovation company that develops interactive, game-based learning resources to make math and science fun and interactive for learners.
- iFunza – an AI education platform tackling educational access and management challenges in Africa with personalised learning, school financing tools, and curriculum support for underserved students, teachers, and parents.
- Infoney Solutions Limited – blends innovation with education – offering curriculum-aligned digital content, smart devices, and tailored training that transform traditional classrooms into future-ready learning hubs.
- M-Lugha Technologies – an online and offline multilingual, multicultural and interactive mobile app that helps young, adult and out of school youth acquire basic literacy and numeracy by using their respective indigenous language.
- Nyansapo AI – a leader in transforming foundational learning in Africa by doubling reading and math outcomes through AI-powered assessments aimed at reaching two million children by 2030.
- Bigbrainz Solutions Limited – has developed DigiSkool that streamlines school operations while equipping students with coding and robotics skills through DigiSTEM, bridging efficient school management with future-ready STEM education.
- Verb Education – develops practical digital tools like the CBC App, that simplifies record-keeping and reporting for teachers and school leaders, reducing administrative burdens and enabling data-driven instruction, stronger leadership, and improved learning outcomes.
- AHAINNOVATE – focused on bridging the digital divide in underserved communities through delivery of smart, solar-powered offline learning systems equipped with interactive educational content tailored for children aged 5 – 13.
- Zydii – a Business-to-Business SaaS workforce skilling solution providing Tiktok style, bite sized, micro-learning content via WhatsApp, Web and other channels.
- Digifunzi – equipping schools with everything they need to integrate Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Coding into their curriculum aimed at empowering learners with the skills to thrive in the digital economy.
“Welcoming our third cohort is a proud moment for us. The innovative solutions of these startups are shaping the future of learning in Africa. This year’s selection process was more competitive than ever, as we intentionally sought ventures with not only strong potential but also embraced gender diversity. Our mission remains unchanged: to equip young people with the mindset and tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. This new cohort is actively building a future defined by transformative learning and sustainable prosperity across the continent,” said Nissi Madu, managing partner at iHub Kenya.
