Kenyan Startup Terrafy Named MassChallenge Switzerland 2026 Finalist

Kenyan startup Terrafy has been selected as a finalist in the MassChallenge Switzerland 2026 Accelerator, providing the company with an opportunity to expand its partnerships, strengthen its technology platform, and connect with global investors.

Based in Nairobi, Terrafy is developing land intelligence infrastructure designed to address one of Africa’s longstanding challenges: the lack of reliable land records in rural areas. The company combines field-collected data, geospatial analysis, verification processes, and monitoring tools to create detailed parcel-level land records that can be used by financial institutions, insurers, and other organisations.

By turning informal land information into structured, verifiable records, Terrafy aims to help unlock access to credit, insurance, and other financial services for landowners who are frequently excluded from formal financial systems.

Joining a Global Accelerator

Terrafy was selected from a pool of more than 2,500 applicants worldwide to join the 2026 MassChallenge Switzerland cohort. The programme brings together startups working across sectors including climate, healthcare, financial services, food systems, and industrial innovation.

MassChallenge operates as a non-equity accelerator, meaning participating startups receive support without giving up ownership stakes. The programme runs from June to October in Lausanne, Switzerland, connecting founders with mentors, corporate partners, industry experts, and potential investors.

Expanding Financial Access Through Land Data

Participation in the accelerator is expected to support Terrafy’s efforts to grow its network of partners within the insurance and financial services sectors while advancing its land verification and monitoring platform.

The company is also looking to accelerate pilot projects with ecosystem partners and build relationships with investors interested in infrastructure, land digitisation, and financial inclusion across Africa. According to founder and chief executive Victor Shikoli, the programme aligns closely with the company’s broader objective of using land data to improve access to financial services.

“MassChallenge gives us the opportunity to accelerate Terrafy’s mission of transforming rural land into trusted financial infrastructure that unlocks credit, insurance, and climate finance across Africa,” he said.