AerialGIS, a Kenyan real estate startup founded by Nancy Wachiuri a Geospatial developer, wants to revolutionise property investment in Kenya through a web application that seamlessly fuses subdivision maps with interactive mapping and VR technology to virtually transport property seekers to the property location on the map.
AerialGIS, which was part of the 7 women-led Kenyan startups that won Standard Chartered’s 2024 Women In Tech Incubator Program COHORT 7, aims to make land buying and selling much easier and smarter via interactive maps with location, features, prices and what’s nearby, without even having to step foot on it.
AerialGIS, with the six others Moma Renewable Energy, Hayah Cradle to Bloom, Zidallie- Nelly Alili , Gwiji for Women, Zaoshinani and PsychCare Clinic collectively took home KES 8.75 Million Standard Chartered’s 2024 Women In Tech Incubator Prize. The program backs female founders aligning with calls for more diversity in technology, entrepreneurship and for more opportunities for women to develop entrepreneurial and leadership excellence.
These year’s competition was themed “Empowering Women for a Sustainable Future,” and startups showcased technological innovation, sustainable solutions, a commitment to Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, and a dedication to the triple bottom line of profit, planet, and people.
TechMoran caught up with her and this is what she shared.
Tell us more about your company and what inspired you to start it.
AerialGIS is all about making land buying and selling much easier and smarter. Imagine a platform where you can view land on an interactive map, see all the details like location, features, and what’s nearby, without even having to step foot on it! That’s what we’ve built, a platform called the ‘Plotviewer’ that helps you take the guesswork out of property hunting and gives you great property visuals to support your investment decisions
I started AerialGIS because, let’s be real, buying land in Kenya can be quite the hustle. People often struggle to get clear, reliable information about plots—driving all over the country, relying on vague descriptions, and still feeling unsure. I thought, why can’t we make this easier
This was very apparent especially during the pandemic, as the travel restrictions made it even harder for people to visit sites physically. I knew it was time to create a solution where you could view land remotely and still get all the important details before going there physically.
I also wanted to help land sellers communicate their property features better to buyers. A lot of sellers have great properties but struggle to showcase them in a way that really captures attention. With AerialGIS, they can visually present their land, highlighting key features, location, and amenities—making it easier for buyers to understand the value of the property from wherever they are.
What prompted you to join the 7th cohort of the Women in Tech Program and what key lessons have you learnt from it ?
As a technical founder, it can be challenging running a business . The program offered a unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders, gain mentorship, and develop a supportive network that fosters collaboration and growth. I believed I was going to learn from the best in Strathmore and benefit from the Standard Chartered Networks.
Plus, it was a chance to challenge myself and expand my perspective.
What technologies are you using to build your platform?
- Our platform is a Web Application that combines interactive mapping with 3d technology.
- Virtual Reality: We use Drones and VR Cameras to create an immersive 3 Dimensional experience.
- We use Google Maps to show property location.
- Geographic Information Systems for mapping and analyzing data and to visualize property boundaries, features, and surroundings.
In the future, we plan to integrate AI-powered property recommendations, predictive analytics for property trends, and user-generated content and reviews to enhance our platform and empower users with personalized insights and community-driven experiences.
Who is your competition locally and how are you unique from them ?
Physical site visits are not going away, and we aim to complement them
Google Maps is a good source of information on location, amenities and distances. We are different in that we provide high quality visuals of both aerial and ground views. Google street views only capture streets or roads and are usually out of date.
We have one easy to use, easy to share visual platform built with the property seekers in mind.
Is this your first business?
It is not. It is my first Start up though
This year’s cohort focused on the theme “Empowering Women for a Sustainable Future,”with a particular emphasis on ESG-driven entrepreneurship or sustainable business models. Do you think Kenya and Africa are ready for such innovations?
Africa, and Kenya in particular, have felt the harsh impact of unsustainable practices. From climate change leading to severe droughts, floods like we had at the beginning of the year, and unpredictable weather patterns to deforestation and the depletion of natural resources, our continent bears the brunt of these global issues. Given that we face these challenges head-on, we must lead the charge in finding sustainable solutions by embracing ESG-driven entrepreneurship and business models that prioritize both people and the planet.
Despite facing biases and challenges, women in Africa are stepping up and proving that, with the right support, they can thrive in industries that were once male-dominated or where opportunities were limited.
What is the significance of tech-hubs and accelerators in supporting early-stage startups in Africa?
Tech-hubs and accelerators are game changers in supporting early-stage startups and they are especially important for women entrepreneurs. These hubs provide access to mentorship, training, and crucial networks that many women wouldn’t have had otherwise. They also help break down some of the barriers women face, such as lack of access to funding or being taken seriously in business spaces.
The StanChart and Strathmore Women in Tech program has already made a huge impact through its past cohorts. Each year, they’ve supported talented women entrepreneurs in Kenya, helping them turn their ideas into successful tech-driven businesses.
What motivates you everyday to do this?
The potential of what it can be. I have a “Mbele iko sawa” attitude about it.
It’s a great solution to an even greater problem that could help a lot of people.
Also the bills do not take a day off.
What are your expansion plans?
Broaden our target market to individual property investors and reach the diaspora market.
What advice would you give to women who want to venture into entrepreneurship?
Be brave.
