Kenyan incubator, Villgro commits $100k grant cash into health startups; The Pathology, ClinicPesa.

Nairobi-based healthcare incubator and investor Villgro Kenya has committed a total of $90,000 into Kenya’s The Pathology Network and Uganda’s clinicPesa.

Villgro Kenya is an early-stage business incubator and impacts investor that provides mentoring, funding, and access to networks to startups in the healthcare and life sciences sector in East Africa.

Villgro has granted Kenya-based startup, “The Pathology Network” with US$50,000 in funding.

The Pathology Network runs an AI-powered digital platform that connects small labs to specialized ones for seamless test referral, with access to specialists remotely to shorten the turnaround time for diagnosis.

According to, Joshua Kibera, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at The Pathology Network said, “On behalf of everyone at The Pathology Network, I would like to thank Villgro Kenya for a meticulous and transparent due diligence process and for choosing to invest in our company. We are excited to partner with Villgro and look forward to revolutionizing the diagnostic space together.”

Aside that, Villgro Kenya has invested $50,000 in Uganda-based ClinicPesa.

ClinicPesa is a digital micro-savings and loans platform that provides users with convenient and affordable means of accessing healthcare.

Chrispinus Onyancha, CEO of ClinicPesa, stated, “We envision improving access to healthcare services and reducing self- diagnosis through mobile money savings and micro-loan top-ups for the uninsured population in Uganda and other African markets.”

Speaking on the investment to ClinicPesa, Villgro Kenya portfolio manager, Gibson Muriuki said, “ClinicPesa’s unique approach to health insurance will give more communities access to quality and affordable health in Uganda. After working with them this past year, we have noted their commitment and  progress in making key partnerships to ensure they scale their product.”

This is not the only investment Villgro has made this month. Earlier this week, it granted $150,000 in funding to 12 startups from East Africa that could help fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

Co-founder at Villgro Kenya, Dr. Wilfred Njagi also stated, “at Villgro Kenya, we strongly feel that this is the time that enterprises need all the financial support that they can get to cushion themselves against the negative economic impact of COVID-19. We are proud to play a small role in ensuring that startups outlive the pandemic.”

Villgro Kenya was launched in 2017 in Nairobi.