The Spark Accelerator Program is jointly managed by Safaricom, M-PESA Africa, and Sumitomo Corporation. It supports early-stage startups in Kenya.
This initiative is designed to foster innovation and growth among visionary founders who aim to bring significant societal and economic change.
Selected startups
Nine startups were chosen for this program, each excelling in different sectors:
- Chumz: This startup leverages gamification and behavioral psychology to encourage savings among users.
- Nobuk: A platform focusing on efficient payment collection and financial reporting for small and medium enterprises.
- Churpy: Specializing in payment reconciliation, Churpy aids in streamlining financial processes for businesses.
- Twiva: A social-commerce platform that connects brands with social media influencers to boost product visibility and sales.
- BlackRhino VR: Creates immersive and interactive stories using virtual reality, offering unique experiences in storytelling.
- VunaPAY: Provides digital financial services to smallholder farmers, supporting agricultural cooperatives.
- HealthX Africa: A primary healthcare provider using cloud-based platforms to deliver medical services.
- Faidi HR: An AI-powered HR platform offering smart communication solutions and payroll management.
- Chpter: Enhancing SME productivity by offering innovative tools for business growth and development.
Program benefits
Participants benefit from:
- Training: Workshops and sessions designed to enhance skills and knowledge.
- Mentorship: Guidance from industry experts to refine business strategies.
- Access to markets: Opportunities to connect with potential customers and partners.
- Go-to-market support: Assistance in launching products and scaling operations.
Strategic partnerships
These startups will have access to partnerships with major players like Safaricom and M-PESA. This paves the way for access to capital, product development support, and essential technology resources. The Spark Fund also provides investment opportunities to fuel further growth.
