On Friday, nine startups participating in the Safaricom Spark Accelerator Program took centre stage during an investor demo day, marking a significant milestone in their journey towards securing funding and scaling their businesses.

The event served as a platform for the start-ups to present their progress, innovations, and market potential while engaging with prospective investors.

The investor demo day represents the final stage of the accelerator programme, which is designed to equip early-stage ventures with the tools and exposure necessary for growth.

According to Safaricom CEO, Dr Peter Ndegwa, the company is committed to nurturing innovation and leveraging technology to drive change.

“At Safaricom, we believe technology is a catalyst for change and solutions, and that’s why we incentivise and support innovative start-ups with the tools they need to reach the next level. With the Spark accelerator programme, we are investing in our future leaders while contributing to significant societal change and economic growth,” he said.

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The inaugural cohort comprises Health X Africa, Vunapay, BlackRhino VR, Twiva, Chpter, Churpy, Nobuk Africa, Faidi HR, and Chumz.

These startups are focused on key sectors such as Embedded Finance, SME Productivity Tools, Digital Content, Healthcare, and Future Fintech.

Safaricom’s Spark Accelerator Programme is a collaborative initiative with Sumitomo Corporation and M-Pesa Africa, aimed at fast-tracking early-stage startups towards sustainable growth.

The programme is implemented in partnership with iHub, while AWS, Vodacom, and PwC provide additional support.

Meanwhile, Safaricom, Sumitomo Corporation, and M-Pesa Africa have announced that applications for the second cohort of the accelerator programme will open from April 1, 2025, to May 15, 2025.

Startups in technology, fintech, the creative economy, and SME productivity solutions will have the opportunity to apply via https://www.safaricom.co.ke/sparkaccelerator.

Successful applicants will gain access to capacity-building and training, product development support, market opportunities, and potential funding.

The Spark Accelerator Programme was introduced last year as part of the transformation of Safaricom’s Spark Venture Fund.

The initiative remains committed to driving Kenya’s tech ecosystem forward by empowering early-stage ventures with the resources and networks they need to thrive.