iHUB, Mastercard Foundation Select 12 Kenyan EdTech Startups for Fellowship

iHUB and the Mastercard Foundation have selected 12 Kenyan startups for the fourth cohort of the EdTech Fellowship, an 18-month programme that provides up to $100,000 in equity-free funding to each participating company. The fellowship supports early-stage education technology startups developing solutions for underserved learners, including people with disabilities, refugees and displaced communities, girls and young women, and learners in rural areas.

This year’s cohort differs from previous editions of the programme. Earlier cohorts ran for eight months and focused on growth-stage companies. The latest programme has been extended to 18 months and is designed to support younger startups as they develop and validate their products.

Supporting Inclusive Education

The selected startups are DEAFHEALTH, AssistiveMath, Signvrse, Deaf Outreach Program, SmartSteamMinds Edtech, Chipurobo, Neurollect Audread, JUZA AI, Ubuntu Universe, RYEH CBO, Gwiji for Women and Tausi App.

Six of the startups are developing assistive technologies, specialised learning platforms and digital skills programmes for learners with disabilities. Others are building multilingual, AI-powered and offline learning solutions for refugees, displaced communities and underserved rural areas. Gwiji for Women and Tausi App focus on entrepreneurship, vocational training and digital skills for girls and young women.

In addition to funding, participating startups will receive technical support in product development, business strategy, communications and pilot testing. They will also gain access to iHUB’s partner network and receive support in engaging potential investors.

Building Evidence for EdTech Solutions

Speaking about the programme, iHUB Managing Partner Nissi Madu said innovation delivers the greatest impact when it addresses the needs of learners who have historically been excluded from education opportunities.

She said the fellowship will help participating startups test and refine their products while generating evidence of their effectiveness and building sustainable businesses.

Since launching in Kenya in 2023, the EdTech Fellowship has supported 36 startups. According to iHUB and the Mastercard Foundation, participating companies have reached more than 700,000 learners and 11,000 educators across over 2,100 schools. More than 6,000 learners with hearing and visual disabilities have also used solutions developed through the programme.