LEAP² is a programme that was founded by Close the Gap and Netherlands’ 1% Club. In partnership with Kenya’s Nailab, LEAP² set out to look for Kenyan startups in the health, agriculture, education, transport and energy sectors that would be granted fundraising support to grow and scale their businesses.
The challenge was launched two months ago and they received a total of 42 applications. Out of the 42, 10 startups were selected to participate in the programme. The selected startups had one month to fundraise and if they reached 50% of their capital goal, Close the Gap would match the amount raised.
The 10 startups have cumulatively raised Ksh.3,061,787 with only four of them reaching the 50% threshold and received about 500,000 each from Close the Gap.
Here are the 10 startups that participated in the challenge:
Afya plan – A platform using table banking for self help groups to parents in rural and urban poor areas to counter out of pocket expenditures for the acquisition of child health care services ultimately reducing child mortality rates
Btrack global – A tracking device enabling Boda Boda riders in Africa to track their Boda-Bodas through their phones for recovery upon theft and also when in operation.
Chanjo plus – A digital vaccination platform that tracks vaccine defaulters, takes immunization history and tracks immunization coverage real time
Deafine Connect – Create a world of possibilities for the Deaf in Kenya by sending text messages in bulk to the Deaf for them to access real time information on Health, Education, Justice, their rights and employment opportunities.
Esvendo social inclusion project – EsVendo is a social enterprise increasing access of sanitary towels through breaking the bulk and availing single units of pads for purchase through locally manufactured vending machines placed in strategic placement location (Toilets) in low income areas where women and girls earn less than 3$ a day.
Ebursary – Ebursary is a platform that connects bright needy African students to scholarships and bursary opportunities from across the globe
Emeden Kenya Farmers Market Link – An innovation that uses mobile application to resolve challenges faced by smallholder farmers by providing a one stop shop to smallholder farmers to engage the market with ease in the comfort of their farms using mobile phones, while at the same time accessing top notch capacity building and technology transfer as well as financial improvement services.
Pregmum – Extend fetal and maternal pregnancy monitoring throughout critical stages of pregnancy to be able to enhance early detection and reporting of danger signs and onset of problems for timely life saving interventions to mother and the baby
Msoma Platform – Msoma aims to bridge the literacy gap through mobile technology in areas where mainstream school systems are unavailable or unattainable. The innovation achieves this through utilizing basic mobile technology.
Pawame – Brings together solar and mobile technology to provide affordable, clean and bright energy to off-grid population in Kenya. Pawame’s solution and mission is a pay-as-you-go Solar home system that enables customers to (a) Immediately benefit from clean and affordable electricity, while (b) building a credit history that can unlock access to other life changing products and services like scholarship loans and micro-insurance. Thus, Pawame deliver more than just energy.
These 10 startups will continue receiving business support and advisory services through the Leap 2 program.
