This archive report was first published on 20 August 2020.
On August 20, 2020, Founder Institute announced its expansion to Kenya, marking a significant milestone in the country's startup ecosystem. The Silicon Valley-based startup accelerator has opened its network of mentors to startups in Kenya, providing them with valuable guidance and support.
Founder Institute has also opened applications for startups to join the Founder Institute Nairobi Accelerator, a pre-seed startup accelerator program that aims to help founders secure funds and land their ideas. The program will provide applicants with a collection of aptitude and personality tests to identify high-potential founders.
Through the program, Founder Institute will work with founders to build teams, generate traction, secure seed funding, and develop products. The deadline to apply for the Nairobi Virtual 2020 Program is January 1, 2021, although interested founders can apply for early admission by September 27, 2020.
Entrepreneurs can also join a series of online events to learn about startup funding, where to secure financing, and gather lessons on what investors are looking for and where to find equity.
Founder Institute has a proven track record, having worked with over 4300 startups, raising over $950 million in funding. The accelerator has a presence in over 200 cities and an estimated portfolio of over $20 billion. Some notable startups that have gone through its program include Udemy, TotalCTRL, and Kindara, which have worked with seed companies like Y Combinator.
Founder Institute's presence in Nairobi is led by a team of experienced entrepreneurs, including CoRD CEO Sheilah Birgen, Ludique CEO Douglas Ogeto, LakeHub Cofounder James Odede, and MAma Ventures Founder Kitawa Wemo.
