Lorcan O’Cathain and Stefan Kruger reported by Mandere Onyinkwa
A Nairobi-based artificial intelligence startup has secured substantial funding to accelerate development of its business integration platform. Lua announced it raised $5.8 million (approximately KSh 748 million) in a round led by Norrsken22, with participation from global investors including Flourish Ventures, 20VC, P1 Ventures, Enza Capital, Phosphor Capital and Y Combinator.
Founded by Lorcan O’Cathain and Stefan Kruger, the company is developing an operating system for “human-agent collaboration,” allowing businesses of all technical levels to create and manage AI-powered digital workers.
“Companies that succeed in coming years will build their agent workforce with the same intentionality as their human workforce,” said O’Cathain, CEO. He noted many firms struggle with AI adoption due to technical barriers or inflexible tools. “Lua operates on the opposite principle: teams own their agents, outcomes, and build compounding efficiency over time,” he added.
Since launching in October 2025, Lua has experienced rapid growth, with revenue increasing nearly 30 percent week-on-week. The company also reported that in February 2026 alone, more AI agents were created on its platform than in all previous months combined.
Multiple Kenyan businesses already use Lua’s technology to deploy custom AI agents on platforms like WhatsApp and company websites. These agents help automate processes including insurance claims, loan applications, and customer onboarding.
The company’s platform enables technical and non-technical teams to collaborate seamlessly, with tools for quick deployment of AI systems that work alongside human staff.
“We’re excited to back Lua. The founders deeply understand how agent and human workforces must collaborate to accomplish tasks,” said Lexi Novitske, General Partner at Norrsken22. She noted Lua’s global presence and experience across Africa, Asia, the United States, and Europe position it well for expansion.
The startup intends to use the new funding to expand its developer community and grow its “Lua Implementation Network,” a group of partners implementing its AI solutions in various markets.
Lua’s expansion coincides with growing Kenyan business adoption of AI tools to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer engagement, indicating strong demand for advanced digital solutions in the local market.