The Mozilla Mashinani Tech-innovation challenge has awarded seven start-ups from Uasin Gichu County KES 1 Million. The project was launched by Mozilla Africa Mradi and the Gladys Boss Foundation (GBF), during a tech-startups and students workshop held in Eldoret. Apart from the cash prize, this challenge will also see the selected start-ups get training on product improvement.
Kenya is the regional ICT hub of East Africa, and a leader in broadband connectivity, and general ICT infrastructure. The timely Mashinani Tech-Innovation Challenge aims to democratize Kenya’s technology and innovation ecosystem. It also hopes to level the startup playing field, particularly for youth outside metropolitan cities.
Mashinani Tech-Innovation Challenge Tech Start-Ups
With innovations ranging from film to domestic work, the start-ups include:
- Tindo – A video-on-demand platform that targets filmmakers from various communities in the region who are producing indigenous films.
- My Shule. An app to safely transport students to school and back home in time through a live bus map that lets you know when the bus is coming, when your child arrives at school, and when they are heading home.
- Mche. Offers a comprehensive solution to smallholder farmers, providing them with advisory services on the best crops to grow in their respective geographical areas.
- Mama Fua. A mobile application that links households to trained and vetted housekeepers, providing safe, convenient, and automated access to cleaning services.
- Lifeline. Provides quick access to critical medical information during emergencies and supports individuals with disabilities and those unable to communicate on their own behalf.
- M-Rafiki. A platform for people to connect and interact while also being able to access services and businesses that they may need.
- Gavo Foods. Manufactures gluten-free-keto organic flours that will help break the cycle of poverty and lifestyle diseases and support smallholder farmers.
Mashinani Tech-Innovation Challenge will culminate in a Mozilla Africa Mradi innovation challenge in Nairobi in June 2023. The innovation challenge will identify and support tech entrepreneurs/startups and tech students through an acceleration program that will provide; technical support, access to grants, and ultimately, market access for their products.
