Nairobi: TECHz – News Desk
iHUB Kenya has officially announced the selection of twelve trailblazing educational technology start-ups to join the prestigious Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship.
The acceleration program is designed to provide critical industry backing, scalability support, and funding to technology-driven solutions transforming learning across Kenya and the broader African continent, targeting pressing challenges across K-12, tertiary education, vocational training, and out-of-school learning environments.
Selected startups receive significant resources to test, refine, and scale their impact, including up to $100,000 in equity-free funding and 12 months of post-program advisory support. Founders gain access to technical resources, mentorship, and specialized courses on the science of learning. This approach equips entrepreneurs with product development strategies and connects them to a global network of stakeholders.
A defining pillar of the fellowship is its commitment to equitable access, specifically backing early-stage startups that advance inclusive education for historically marginalized groups, including learners living with disabilities, girls, young women, and underserved communities.
The program highlights a diverse array of technologies designed to enhance teaching effectiveness and learner engagement. Notable ventures in the cohort include Dals Learning Limited, a digital platform providing interactive primary curriculum content, and FUNDIS APP LTD, which enhances artisan productivity, upskilling, and job-matching.
Also selected are Soma Siri Afrika, an innovative product combining psychology and AI to transform K-12 experiences; eKitabu Studio KSL, which develops inclusive early-grade reading materials in Kenyan Sign Language; and Ultratude Tech Ltd, providing a comprehensive school management system that bridges the gap between parents, students, and teachers.
Rounding out the highlighted innovators are SomaChat Services, offering AI-powered educational tools directly through WhatsApp, and Kurasa, an inclusive tool designed to make competency-based education delivery more efficient for educators. Originally launched by the Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship aims to partner with leading tech hubs to support over 250 EdTech companies and reach at least 1.8 million young people. By driving home-grown, tech-enabled solutions, iHUB continues to position itself as a central nexus for innovators building the future of inclusive education in Africa.
