Ten Kenyan Startups Advance to Grand Finale of Startup World Cup
Ten Kenyan startups have secured a spot in the regional finals of the prestigious Startup World Cup. The competition, held during the Kenya Startup Festival and organized by the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), attracted over 160 applicants from across the country.
The Startup World Cup, organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, is a global competition featuring 100+ regional events across 60+ countries. These startups, spanning fintech, agritech, AI, and sustainable energy, are now gearing up to compete at the Grand Finale in San Francisco on October 17, 2025, for a chance to win a $1 million investment prize and global recognition.
The finalists include;
- BuuPass (Sonia Kabra & Wyclife Omondi): A digital transport booking platform enabling users to book buses, trains, and flights seamlessly.
- Sio Valley Technologies (Trevor Siu): A technology company driving innovations across multiple industries.
- Ndovu (Radhika Bhachu): A fintech startup simplifying investments for individuals and businesses.
- VunaPay (Gatwĩri Njogu-Mokaya): An agri-fintech solution designed to empower farmers with digital financial tools.
- Neural Labs Africa (Tom Kinyanjui Njoroge): A technology firm focused on artificial intelligence solutions.
- Jahazii (Vaidehi Tembhekar): A digital platform streamlining maritime logistics across Africa.
- Leafy Life (Johnson Mboya): A company providing sustainable energy solutions from waste products.
- Payd HQ (Benaiah Wepundi): A fintech company offering payroll management services for businesses.
- Melanin Kapital (Mélanie Keïta): An SME financing provider supporting African entrepreneurs.
- Zerobionic (Norah Kimathi): A developer of assistive technology for people with disabilities.