Latitude59 is returning to Kenya for the fourth consecutive year, with applications now open for its 2026 Kenya Pitch Competition, offering early-stage startups across Africa a chance to compete for non-equity funding, partner prizes and a place on the event’s main stage in Nairobi.
The Latitude59 Kenya Edition will take place on December 3–4, 2026, bringing together founders, investors and technology companies from Africa and international markets.
The December 3 programme will focus on investor activities and side events, while the main conference and pitch competition will take place on December 4.
Last year’s Kenya edition attracted about 2,000 participants, and organizers expect a similar turnout this year, including around 600 investors from Africa, Europe, the Nordics and Asia.
“Rooted in Estonia, Latitude59 has established a strong international presence and built strong connections across Africa,” said Latitude59 CEO Liisi Org. “We are now returning to Kenya for the fourth year in a row and inviting founders from across Africa to apply for the opportunity to present their startups on the Latitude59 Pitch Competition stage in Nairobi this December.”
The pitch competition is open to early-stage startups from Kenya and other African markets. Latitude59 says it is not limiting applications by sector, although applicants should demonstrate a strong technology component and a scalable business model.
The organizers are particularly interested in startups with a functioning minimum viable product, demonstrable traction and teams actively raising capital.
More than 600 startups participated in last year’s pitch competition, according to Latitude59 Head of Investor-Startup Relations Krista Meinarde.
“We do not restrict applicants to specific sectors, but a strong technological component and a clearly scalable business model are important. Ideally, we are looking for startups with a functioning MVP, clear traction, and teams that are actively fundraising,” said Meinarde.
Ten startups will be selected from the applicant pool to receive professional pitch training and mentoring before competing on the Latitude59 main stage.
The finalists will compete for a pool of non-equity funding and prizes from Latitude59 partners. One startup will also receive a fast-track invitation to Latitude59 2027 in Tallinn, Estonia, with Latitude59 covering round-trip travel costs.
Latitude59 is also expanding its African footprint this year, with pre-events planned in Uganda and Zambia for the first time.
The expansion comes as the Estonian startup and technology event continues to build links between African ecosystems and investors and companies in Europe, the Nordic region and Asia.
Its flagship event in Estonia attracted more than 3,000 participants from over 70 countries at its 14th edition, including 800 startup representatives and 60 investors.
Latitude59 has also held events in Singapore, South Africa and Kenya, where it is now entering its fourth consecutive year.
Latitude59 Kenya Pitch Competition 2026 dates
November 2: Applications close
November 6–13: Top 10 teams announced
November 16–27: Startup workshops and pitch training
December 4: Final pitches at Latitude59 Kenya Edition in Nairobi
Apply here: https://start.hopohopo.io/public/apply/d7193e19b77efbb38236dfcca456a4c6
Tickets for the Latitude59 Kenya Edition 2026: Available here: https://latitude59.ee/kenya/