LIST | Here are the 9 Startups Selected for the Safaricom Spark Accelerator Program Inaugural Cohort

Kenyan leading telco, Safaricom, has revealed 9 startups for the first cohort of its Spark Accelerator Program.

Earlier this year [2024], Safaricom, alongside MPESA Africa and Sumitomo Corporation, launched the three-month accelerator program designed to offer a comprehensive mix of training, mentorship, funding, and go-to-market support.

According to a local report, the startups have been chosen for their commercial viability and scaling ability.

“By supporting and investing in these tech-enabled startups, we aim to drive significant societal change and economic growth,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom.

Below are the nine Startups selected across multiple sectors:

Embedded Finance

• Chumz – a startup leveraging mobile money, gamification, and behavioral psychology to build a community of savers
• Nobuk – a fintech seeking to simplify financial reporting for African groups

SME Productivity

• Chpter – encourages social media marketing using an AI powered platform
• Faidi HR – a one-in-all Cloud Payroll and HK Platform for businesses
• Churpy – seeks to automate repetitive and manual office tasks
• Twiva – a social-commerce platform that links brands to social media influencers for marketing

Content

• HealthX Africa – a data driven medtech that offers hybrid digital and physical touch points
• BlackRhino VR – enabling creators and brands alike, to tell immersive and interactive stories that are appealing to contemporary audiences.

Future Fintech

• VunaPay – a digital platform that facilitates instant payment to smallholder farmers for produce delivered to the cooperatives.


Safaricom, which has ambitions to create an app ecosystem around its M-PESA platform, says enrolled startups stand to gain from the program by receiving access to technical support for the creation of mini-apps integrated into Safaricom’s M-PESA Super App.

This opportunity empowers them to connect with a user base exceeding four million customers utilizing the app.

This support extends beyond the initial three-month program, allowing participating startups to leverage the expansive network of over 60 million customers and 5 million businesses across M-PESA’s eight markets.

The accelerator program will conclude with an investor demo day, providing startups with the opportunity to pitch for investments from Safaricom and collaborating venture capital firms.