• The UK-Kenya Tech Hub has launched Startup 360 Connect initiative targeting 50+ early-stage tech firms, developed with Viktoria Solutions, Anza Village, and POV to strengthen talent, capital, and market access.
• Kenyan Startups raised $638M, nearly 29% of Africa’s venture funding, driven by government projects like the Digital Superhighway, the proposed Startup Act, and strong fintech/climate tech ecosystems.
• Previous UK-Kenya Tech Hub programs include Whitebox and the Digital Apprenticeship Programme, building on the UK’s International Tech Hub Network. 

The UK-Kenya Tech Hub, which supports digital innovation and investment linkages between Kenya and the United Kingdom, has launched Startup 360 Connect, an initiative designed to strengthen Kenya’s early-stage investment ecosystem by connecting talent, capital, and market access. The program targets over 50 early-stage technology companies.

Announced on January 13, 2026, Startup 360 Connect is developed in partnership with Viktoria Solutions, a pan-African early-stage investment and startup support platform, Anza Village, a talent and venture-building company, and POV, a market expansion and growth advisory firm. It represents a concrete outcome of the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership in Science, Technology, and Innovation.

“We have spent years building the foundations of angel investing in Africa, and this program represents the next phase of that journey. It is about moving beyond awareness into action, building confident investors, strong syndicates, and real capital deployment that founders can rely on,” said Stephen Gugu, CEO of Viktoria Solutions.

Kenya’s technology ecosystem continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience. In 2024, Kenyan startups raised $638 million, accounting for nearly 29 percent of all venture funding in Africa, according to the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, which cited Africa: The Big Deal. The ministry noted that this strong performance reflects the impact of government initiatives such as the Digital Superhighway project, which is expanding broadband through 100,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, and the proposed Startup Act. It also highlighted the role of a vibrant ecosystem, a strategic focus on fintech and climate tech, a favorable investment climate, strong human capital, and successful startup stories that are addressing local challenges.

Since its inception, the UK-Kenya Tech Hub has implemented multiple programs addressing ecosystem gaps. The Whitebox platform, launched in partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of ICT, supported 170 entrepreneurs with structured training, mentorship matching, and investor connections, with 59% participating startups reporting an increase in customer base during the program. The Digital Apprenticeship Programme placed junior technology professionals with small and medium enterprises, helping businesses digitize operations while addressing youth employment challenges.

Startup 360 Connect represents the latest iteration in UK-Kenya technology collaboration programs dating back to the establishment of the UK-Kenya Tech Hub as part of the UK government’s International Tech Hub Network. The network, launched by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, established hubs in Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, India, Indonesia, and Brazil to stimulate local digital economies and forge innovation partnerships.

Hikmatu Bilali