Endeavor Kenya, a non-profit organization that supports high-impact entrepreneurs, recently announced ten early stage ventures accepted into its ScaleUp Program, its inaugural cohort-based initiative for high-growth founders in East Africa.
The program aims to identify ten high-potential ventures and provide them with the necessary resources and network to accelerate their growth trajectory.
Over the course of 28 months, the selected entrepreneurs will gain access to the Endeavor ScaleUp methodology, which encompasses expert mentorship, immersive business development training, fundraising support, and a strong peer network of seasoned entrepreneurs.
This comprehensive approach is designed to empower founders to overcome the challenges and seize the opportunities that come with scaling their businesses.
“Scaling high-growth companies is crucial for fostering a vibrant and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in East Africa,” stated Maryanne Ochola, Managing Director of Endeavor Kenya. “The Endeavor ScaleUp Program is a catalyst for ambitious local founders to leverage our global expertise and curated services to propel their businesses to new heights.”
The early-stage businesses are headquartered in East Africa and have achieved a minimum of $500,000 in annual recurring revenue and are actively contributing to job creation or providing responsible financial services at scale.
They include:
- Nakama-Tech
Founder: Mr. George Jabesh
Nakama-Tech offers innovative business solutions to enhance customer satisfaction, retention, and sales. Their versatile Omnichannel software, available on cloud and on-premises, ensures scalability and ease of use. Additionally, they provide extensive training and support services, emphasising inclusivity by connecting young graduates, women, and people with disabilities to employment opportunities locally and internationally.
- ZenDawa
Co-Founder: Wilfred Chege
ZenDawa is revolutionising the pharmacy industry with its comprehensive B2B SaaS platform. They empower neighbourhood pharmacies with Tele-pharmacy services, pharmacy management tools, and embedded finance solutions, enabling online sales and efficient operations. Their fast delivery, integrated systems, and financial services reshape the landscape, ensuring pharmacies thrive in the digital age.
- AMI (African Management Initiative)
Founder: Rebecca Harrison
AMI empowers African businesses with practical tools and training, driving tangible growth. Through proprietary diagnostics and accessible online content, they facilitate skill development for entrepreneurs and their teams. AMI’s tool-based learning approach has led to remarkable results, with businesses experiencing significant revenue increases and immediate impacts from management training.
- Senga
Founder: June Odongo
Senga is transforming logistics and supply chains for Africa’s formal retail sector, starting in Kenya. They enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction by drastically reducing delivery times and automating manual processes through their SengaOS platform. With rapid adoption and tangible benefits, Senga is reshaping the retail landscape and paving the way for streamlined operations.
- Dial Afrika
Founder: Japheth Dibo
Dial Afrika addresses communication challenges for African SMBs with Bonga, a comprehensive B2B SaaS Omni-Channel Customer Support Tool. Bonga enables seamless communication between businesses and customers through various channels, empowering SMBs to enhance interactions and understand consumer behaviour. With affordability and scalability, Dial Afrika drives growth and connectivity in a dynamic market.
- Satao
Founder: Javin Hutchinson
Satao is enhancing sustainability across sectors by creating innovative solutions rooted in agriculture. Satao’s immediate priority lies within the bakery segment, where they
upscale the utilisation of technologies and local know-how to manufacture easy-to-use premixes for commercial bakeries. By implementing best practices and innovative solutions,
Satao accelerates baking processes and contributes to a healthier African diet while promoting sustainability along relevant agricultural value chains.
- BuuPass
Founders: Sonia Kabra and Wycliffe Omondi
BuuPass is reshaping Africa’s long-distance transport market with a comprehensive digital marketplace. Their platform digitises operations, allowing travellers to book intercity buses, trains, and flight tickets online. By connecting transport companies with online ticketing platforms, BuuPass enhances accessibility and convenience for travellers while modernising the transport industry.
- Pezesha
Founder: Hilda Moraa
Pezesha drives financial inclusion in Africa by connecting SMEs with working capital through a collaborative digital platform. By facilitating connections between financial institutions and quality SMEs, Pezesha promotes meaningful financial inclusion and reduces inequalities in accessing formal financial services.
- Shega
Founder: Anteneh Tesfaye
Shega empowers companies with actionable insights through curated data and intelligence, focusing on emerging markets and the financial sector. Shega enables organisations to make informed decisions by leveraging media and proprietary economic data, driving effectiveness and success in dynamic environments.