Category: SC Women in Tech

By the time most startups begin thinking about scale, they are already feeling the pressure, whether from clients, users, or investors, to grow fast. But as the founders in Cohort 8 of the Futuremakers Women in Tech Program learned this past week, scaling is not just about growth. It is about readiness. The Learning Series, a two-day blend of in-person and virtual sessions, brought together 60 promising women-led ventures from across Kenya for a deep dive into the building blocks of scalability and investment preparedness. The message was clear: if you want to scale sustainably, you need more than a good idea. You need systems, strategy and the right kind of support. Day 1: Is Your Startup Ready to Grow? Held at @iBizAfrica - Strathmore University, focused on Assessing Maturity…

Entrepreneur Naom Monari, 32, was working as a nurse when she realised something was missing in Kenya’s healthcare system, and she knew she had to do something about it. In 2017, with the support of the Futuremakers Women in Tech programme, she founded Bena Care, a digital platform connecting nurses and physiotherapists who treat patients with life-limiting illnesses in the comfort of their own homes. Her enterprise has since expanded across Kenya, and, together with her team, she has served over 25,000 patients (600 patients a month). “When my first patient, a post-stroke gentleman with hypertension and diabetes, was visibly tired and homesick while admitted at a health facility, and his son could not make frequent hospital visits because of his job, Bena Care became a lifesaver. We tended to…

As we gear up to launch our 8th Kenyan cohort of the Standard Chartered Women in Tech program, we are proud to be part of something even bigger. What started as a powerful local initiative, is now expanding across borders. Standard Chartered, through its Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator, is extending its reach across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan, in partnership with Village Capital. Together, they are unlocking over $ 1.9 million in catalytic grants, delivering expert training, and building stronger networks for over 400 women entrepreneurs in 12 countries, including Kenya. And yes, that means more opportunities for the women-led startups we champion every day. Shifting the Narrative in 2025 The numbers still tell a hard truth: women founders are consistently underfunded. Less than 3% of global venture…

Motherhood is a journey filled with joy, challenges, and countless questions—yet access to reliable maternal health information remains a struggle for many women. That is where Hayah Cradle to Bloom comes in. Founded by Jael Walukwe, this AI-powered health-tech startup is on a mission to make maternal care more accessible, informed, and empowering. As part of the Women in Tech Incubator Program at @iBizAfrica, Hayah Cradle to Bloom is leveraging technology to reshape maternal health in Kenya. We sat down with Jael to explore the inspiration behind the startup, their journey in the program, and what is next for them. Tell us more about your company and what inspired you to start it. Hayah Cradle to Bloom is a Fem Health Tech company focused on educating women and their support…

In Kenya’s fast-evolving entrepreneurial landscape, women are emerging as powerful drivers of change, building ventures that not only impact their communities but shape the nation’s economy. Yet, despite this progress, only 2.3% of African startup funding goes to solo or all-female founders, highlighting a persistent gap in resources and support. On November 4, 2024, @iBizAfrica Incubation Centre- Strathmore University, in collaboration with Standard Chartered, hosted the Standard Chartered Group Board Visit. This unique event aimed to bridge this gap by celebrating the strides of women entrepreneurs and fostering an environment of shared learning, bringing together alumnae from the Women in Tech (WiT) program and participants from the Access to Finance initiative, Somo Africa. Building a Future through Women-Led Enterprises Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iLabAfrica, opened the event by emphasizing…

For many African women entrepreneurs, the dream of going global can feel like staring at a door that just will not open. You have worked hard, built something amazing, but how do you take that next step and break into international markets? It is a question that so many of us struggle with—and we are not alone. The recent Standard Chartered Women in Tech Masterclass on Market Access tackled this very issue head-on, offering practical, relatable insights to help women-led startups overcome market access challenges.Read more about the unique challenges faced by African women entrepreneurs and how they are overcoming them here. The Struggle is Real Market access is tough. It is more than just having a brilliant product or service—it is about navigating a tangled web of trade barriers,…

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the pressures of running your startup? You are not alone. This is a common experience among entrepreneurs, and it was the focus of the first Cohort 7 #SCWomenInTech Masterclass: Mental Health for Startup Founders. Balancing the demands of running a startup with maintaining personal well-being is a challenge that many founders face. It is not just about managing a business; it is about managing yourself, too. According to Forbes Africa, at least 42% of African startup founders report experiencing mental health challenges, with stress, anxiety, and financial pressure being the primary culprits. These numbers highlight a growing concern in the entrepreneurial community, where the pressure to succeed often overshadows the need for self-care. Our Women in Tech Masterclasses are designed to support female entrepreneurs…