Nairobi Startups Receive Mentorship From Global Experts

A cohort of Nairobi-based startups has commenced a high-impact mentorship programme with global industry experts, signalling a major step in the city’s innovation ecosystem. The initiative, led by Endeavor Kenya under its Scale Up programme, brings together growth-stage founders and connects them with seasoned entrepreneurs and investors from around the world.
The programme selects startups that have achieved product-market fit and are now looking to scale. Over a three-month period, founders will participate in workshops, one-on-one mentor sessions, and peer-learning forums—drawing on expertise from global networks to refine their strategies, expand market reach, and prepare for investment. Entrepreneurs will also tap into international contacts that help navigate growth challenges and unlock new opportunities. Industry observers have welcomed the move, noting that the access to global mentors and networks fills a crucial gap in Nairobi’s startup support infrastructure. Founders say the programme gives them direct exposure to international best practices and investor readiness tools that previously were harder to access locally. Analysts believe this mentorship push could help a new generation of Nairobi firms scale beyond Kenya and compete on a global stage.Looking ahead, the partnership is expected to deepen, with additional cohorts and broader thematic tracks planned—covering sectors such as agritech, fintech, deep tech and creative-economy ventures. With enhanced global collaboration, Nairobi’s startup ecosystem may gain momentum as a regional innovation hub, driving job creation, export growth and deeper integration into global value chains.