A new initiative backed by the UK–Kenya Strategic Partnership in Science, Technology and Innovation is aiming to strengthen Kenya’s early-stage investment ecosystem by moving more local capital into startups. The UK–Kenya Tech Hub has partnered with Viktoria Ventures, Anza Village, and POV to launch Startup 360 Connect. This program will link talent, investors, and market access across Kenya’s growing startup scene.
At the core of the initiative is the Startup 360 Connect Angel Leads Program, delivered by Viktoria Ventures. The program focuses on training angel investors and supporting structured, collective investment into early-stage startups.
Kenya is widely seen as one of Africa’s most active startup markets, built on years of ecosystem development and investor education. Programs such as the African Angel Academy have helped introduce angel investing to a wider group of professionals. But as the market matures, attention is shifting from awareness to action.
“We have spent years building the foundations of angel investing in Africa,” said Stephen Gugu, CEO of Viktoria Ventures. “This next phase is about confident investors, strong syndicates, and real capital deployment that founders can depend on.”
Startup 360 Connect: Building Kenya’s Next Generation of Angel Investors
Startup 360 Connect builds on earlier efforts, including the Angel Leads Program, which supported the formation of the Moneva Syndicate and its investment into Afyalishe Wellness. The new program takes a broader approach by linking investor training with founder readiness and market access.
The initiative is built around three pillars. Viktoria Ventures leads investor training and capital activation, with participants committing USD 1,000 each into a syndicated deal. Anza Village runs founder readiness through Startup School Kenya, creating a pipeline of investment-ready startups. POV provides market and venture capital linkages, with a focus on helping founders and investors understand pathways into the UK market.
According to the UK–Kenya Tech Hub, the program reflects a wider push to strengthen local investment capacity while building stronger ties between Kenyan and UK innovation ecosystems.
The Angel Leads Program will run from February to June 2026. Applications close on 30th January, 2026.
