Five Kenyan Startups have been selected to join the Japan-led Ninja Accelerator Program.
Kwara, Amitrucks, Cinch Markets, Sokowatch and Zana Africa have joined the program powered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in partnership with Double Feather Partners (DFP), Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support (DTVS), Deloitte Tohmatsu Financial Advisory (DTFA) and GrowthAfrica.
The program consists of 3 months of tailor-made local, Japanese, and international mentoring, expertise, and investor relations. After that period, there will be a pitch event on July 29th, 2021.
Thereafter, in early 2022 DFP and Deloitte will take startups to Tokyo, followed by a visit to Silicon Valley organised by 500 Startups that will host them for 2 days where they can meet VCs, institutional investors, local experts, and potential business partners.
“We look forward to building strong strategic partnerships with Japan-based corporations and investors.
“This will be an important Launchpad for our ASEAN and Africa expansion. We are optimistic about exchanging ideas, technical expertise and culture so we can build a global, profitable business together. said Cynthia Wandia, Kwara’s CEO
“We were extremely impressed by the quality of the applicants for this first cohort”, said Keiji Katai, Senior Director – Private Sector Development Group at JICA.
“While we were only able to select five, it is exciting to see what young entrepreneurs in Kenya, and undoubtedly Africa, have to offer. We hope to demonstrate to Japanese corporates and investors that there is a serious case to be made when engaging with startups in Africa, which are the future drivers of African economies.”
