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Viktoria Ventures leads new angel initiative in Kenya
The UK–Kenya Tech Hub has partnered with Viktoria Ventures, Anza Village, and POV to launch Startup 360 Connect (#S360Connect). The initiative is designed to connect talent, capital, and market access, strengthening Kenya’s vibrant startup ecosystem and expanding opportunities for high-growth ventures.
At the heart of the program is the Startup 360 Connect Angel Leads Program, delivered by Viktoria Ventures, which aims to train confident angel investors and support structured capital deployment into early-stage startups.
“We have spent years building the foundations of angel investing in Africa, and this program represents the next phase of that journey,” said Stephen Gugu, CEO of Viktoria Ventures. “It is about moving beyond awareness into action—building confident investors, strong syndicates, and real capital deployment that founders can rely on.”
Kenya has long been recognized as one of Africa’s most active startup hubs, supported by initiatives like the African Angel Academy and previous Angel Leads Programs, which have educated investors and demystified early-stage financing. But as the ecosystem matures, the focus is shifting from knowledge to activation—from learning about angel investing to participating meaningfully in it.
#S360Connect builds on the success of previous programs, such as the Moneva Syndicate, which invested in Afyalishe Wellness. The initiative now takes an ecosystem-level approach, providing emerging investors with structured learning, syndicate experience, startup mentorship, and opportunities for real capital deployment.
A Three-Pillar Approach to Startup Investment
Angel Investor Training & Capital Activation (Viktoria Ventures)
The program equips participants with training in angel investing and syndication, hands-on deal evaluation, and experience forming investment syndicates. Each investor contributes USD 1,000 into a syndicated deal, with investment decisions made collectively.
“We are building sustainable early-stage capital pathways in Kenya,” said Fiona Kiruja, Programme Manager, Viktoria Ventures. “This partnership creates real opportunities for investors to learn, lead, and co-invest in startups locally and across borders.”
Founder Readiness & Startup School (Anza Village)
Through Startup School Kenya, founders develop into investment-ready entrepreneurs, learning business model development, product-market validation, governance, financial literacy, and investor engagement. The program spans university innovation clubs, founder training, and problem-based innovation challenges. Graduates transition directly into the Angel Leads Program, linking founder preparation with capital deployment.
“By aligning founder readiness with a growing pool of trained investors, the entire system becomes more efficient and impactful,” said Wangechi Wahome, CEO of Anza Village.
Market & VC Linkages (POV)
The GrowthPath Market and VC Linkage pillar provides insight into cross-border scaling and UK market entry. While it does not guarantee investment, it strengthens investor networks and equips founders with knowledge to expand internationally.
“Market linkages are often the missing piece for African startups,” said Precious Oyelade, Founder & Chief Implementer, POV. “Through GrowthPath, founders and investors gain structured insight that leads to better long-term outcomes.”
Supported by the UK–Kenya Tech Hub, participants also access UK startup markets, peer networks, and cross-border deal flow, reinforcing Kenya’s position within global innovation corridors.
“This partnership reflects a deliberate shift toward strengthening local investment capacity and building bridges between Kenyan and UK innovation ecosystems,” said Billy Msagha, UK–Kenya Tech Hub.
Building Kenya’s Next Generation of Angel Investors
The Startup 360 Connect Angel Leads Program will run February–June 2026, targeting individual angels, aspiring investors, members of investment groups, and impact-driven professionals. Participants receive:
Structured training in angel investing and syndication
Live masterclasses and deal deep dives
Hands-on formation of investment syndicates
Legal and investment execution support
Mentorship opportunities with high-potential startups
Post-program access to live deal evaluation and cross-border exposure
Each participant contributes $1,000 into a syndicated investment, collectively chosen by syndicate members.
Applications close Monday, 30 January 2026 at11:59 PM (EAT):
The application link can be accessed here
While Kenya boasts one of Africa’s most active startup hubs, early-stage funding remains concentrated among a few investors. Startup 360 Connect democratizes access to angel investing, reduces individual risk through syndication, and increases the volume and quality of early-stage investments, creating a more resilient and scalable ecosystem.
As Kenya’s startup economy matures, programs like this signal a shift from informal investing to structured, collaborative, cross-border capital deployment, paving the way for a new generation of confident angel investors.
