Pangea announces $3m scale-up program for locally funded Kenyan startups

Norwegian-based accelerator Pangea has unveiled a scale-up program offering private funding of up to $3 million and business support to enable locally funded Kenyan startups accelerate their enterprises to the next level. The support will further enable the startups to move up the ladder from the Seed level to Series A. 

Jonas Tesfu, CEO and Co-founder, Pangea Accelerator: “Out of the local startups that have raised more than $1 million, only 6% have local founders while the rest are founded by expatriates. As an accelerator, we are looking to change this narrative and enable more African entrepreneurs to gain access to the capital they need to move to the next level through programs like the Pangea Scaleup program.” 

Like in many other African countries, Kenyan startups face a major challenge in finding investors to fund their businesses, a task considered difficult and time consuming. “It is also on this backdrop that as Pangea we step in and help bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and investors, and we provide them with the skills they need to take their startups to the next level,” said Tesfu. 

Successful applicants of the program will also receive tailored coaching sessions to suit their specific business requirements and optimal matching of investors to fund their businesses. The startups also get to tap into the vast networks that Pangea Accelerator has. This is in addition to coaching relevant to the needs of their businesses and funding from different investors. The program also focuses on building long term relationships that will extend beyond the 18 month duration.

The scale-up program will be 18 months long to ensure that the selected startups will have all the support they need. In addition, it is sector agnostic and seeks the best startups in different sectors of the economy. 

www.pangeaa.com