Standard Chartered Women In Tech Launches Cohort 8

Standard Chartered, in partnership with @iBizAfrica, Strathmore University, and Village Capital, has officially launched the 8th cohort of its Women in Tech Accelerator Programme. This year’s focus is on bridging the digital divide by empowering women-led startups to create inclusive, accessible technology solutions for underserved communities.

With a theme of “Bridging the Digital Divide for Inclusive Innovation,” the launch event held at Standard Chartered highlighted the urgent need for innovation that reaches all sectors of society, particularly women and marginalized groups often excluded from Kenya’s growing tech landscape. Despite Kenya’s reputation as Africa’s “Silicon Savannah,” digital access remains uneven, only 40.8percent of the population is online, and over 60 percent of women lack essential digital skills.

Through its partnership with Village Capital, the accelerator programme will provide women entrepreneurs with vital resources, including training, funding, and access to networks, to ensure their ideas drive long-term societal impact.

“At Standard Chartered, we believe that real progress happens when innovation is accessible to
all, especially women leading change at the grassroots level.” said Dr. Beverley Obatoyinbo, Board Member, Standard Chartered Kenya. “Through Women in Tech Cohort 8, we are not only funding bold ideas but also creating a platform where inclusive technology can thrive and empower communities often left behind. It’s about making sure no woman with a vision is held back by a lack of digital access.

Since its inception, the Women in Tech Programme has awarded over USD 1.1 million to 39 women-led ventures. This year’s cohort will prioritize startups addressing local needs through accessible technologies like USSD platforms, offline apps, and community-based models to reach underserved areas.

“This year, we are being intentional about equity in innovation. By focusing on women from underserved communities and investing in adaptable technologies like USSD and offline solutions, we are closing the gap between potential and opportunity. Women in Tech is more than a programme – it is a movement toward inclusive, impactful entrepreneurship,” added Joyce Kibe, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing at Standard Chartered Kenya and Africa.

Dr. Vincent Ogutu, Strathmore University Vice Chancellor, also emphasized the importance of inclusive leadership in driving progress. “True innovation is not measured by investment alone, but by inclusion. When we empower women at the margins to lead with tech, we reimagine what progress looks like for everyone.”

Building on the success of last year’s cohort, standout ventures like Gwiji for Women, which connects cleaners from informal settlements to clients via mobile, and Sign With Us, a platform offering digital Kenyan Sign Language training, are examples of tech being used as a tool for equity, access, and empowerment.

Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director, @iLabAfrica, Strathmore University, emphasised the role of academic-industry partnerships in building inclusive tech ecosystems. “Through @iBizAfrica and @iLabAfrica, we are providing entrepreneurs with research-backed tools, mentorship, and technical guidance that ground innovation in practical impact.

“This programme is about scaling businesses that solve real-world problems, especially in areas where digital access is a luxury,” said Dr. Sevilla. In addition to seed funding, the 2025 programme will feature masterclasses on digital accessibility, adaptive business models, and inclusive fintech, ensuring founders gain capital and the know-how to build resilient businesses that uplift entire communities.