Pitch Your Startup & Win up to $12,500 at ‘Founders Connect Live Nairobi’

Founders Connect, in collaboration with African Impact Initiative and Kenyan Wall Street, is set to host its premier tech gathering in Nairobi, bringing together over 300 founders, investors, and tech leaders. This exclusive one-day event aims to unlock capital, foster partnerships, and accelerate innovation within East Africa’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem.

Why This Event Matters

Following successful editions in Lagos, London, and Toronto, which collectively hosted over 2,500 attendees, Founders Connect is expanding its reach to East Africa at a crucial time, as the region’s startup ecosystem continues to grow despite global market challenges. The event is designed to address critical gaps in founder-investor connections and provide practical insights for startups looking to scale.

"East Africa's tech ecosystem is demonstrating remarkable resilience and innovation, yet many founders still struggle to access the right networks and capital," says Peace Itimi, Founder of Founders Connect. "Through this summit, we're not just creating another tech event – we're building a bridge between East Africa's ambitious founders and the resources they need to scale. Our platform has documented the journeys of over 100 African founders, and we've seen firsthand how the right connections at the right time can transform startups into market leaders."

What to Expect

The event will feature a carefully curated lineup of industry leaders who have successfully built and invested in African markets, including:

• Mia von Koschitzky-Kimani, Partner at Future Africa
• Dennis Ondeng, CEO of Kopo Kopo
• Allan Mwangi, Entrepreneurship Development Manager at ALX
• Nick Joshi, CEO of Leta

Event Highlights

• Expert-Led Discussions
  • Raising Capital in Africa – Securing funding in today’s market
  • Scaling a Startup in East Africa – Proven growth frameworks
  • Building High-Impact Careers – Thriving in tech, venture, and beyond
• Pitch2Win Startup Competition
  • Early-stage founders will compete for up to $12,500 in funding:
    • $10,000 SAFE Note from African Impact Initiative
    • $2,500 equity-free grant from Founders Connect
    • Mentorship from successful founders
• Networking Mixer
  • Exclusive evening session with industry leaders
• Keynote Presentations
  • Focused on community building and scaling in Africa

Event Details

• Date: March 15, 2025
• Time: Conference: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Networking Mixer: 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
• Venue: The Piano, PQVW+HFG, Near 171 Brookside Drive, 171 Brookside Dr, Nairobi, Kenya
• Startup Competition Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

How to Register

• Apply for the Pitch2Win competition: foundersconnect.xyz/launchpad
• Purchase tickets: selar.com/fcnairobi

Strategic Partnerships

African Impact Initiative, a key partner, brings extensive experience in startup development and investment across Africa.

"We’re excited to join forces with Founders Connect to expand our support for African founders, investors, and operators. By leveraging our combined strengths, we can unlock more capital, increase visibility, and accelerate market access. It’s a win for the entire ecosystem, and we can’t wait to get started," says Osaretin Obano, Executive at African Impact Initiative.

The event is also supported by Bamboo, the first online brokerage service that gives African investors direct access to US and global securities, and Ingressive Capital, a firm committed to supporting Africa’s next wave of tech entrepreneurs.