Silicon Xchange, KeNIA, and NaiBAN Launch a New Path to Global Capital for African Founders

For the first time, Kenya has joined the global Startup World Cup circuit. Through a partnership between Silicon Xchange, the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), and NaiBAN, Kenyan founders gained direct access to one of the world’s most competitive pitch events, run by Pegasus Tech Ventures, the venture capital firm behind companies like SpaceX, OpenAI, Airbnb, and SoFi.

Out of hundreds of applications, ten startups were shortlisted to pitch live at the Kenya Startup Festival on June 4. BuuPass, a mobility and digital ticketing platform, was crowned the winner and will represent Kenya at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco, where they will compete for a $1 million investment.

But the impact goes beyond one pitch. Kenya now has a direct, recurring pipeline into a global investor network—one that has historically been difficult for local startups to access.

“At Silicon Xchange, our mission is to bridge Silicon Valley and Africa to power global innovation by connecting capital, knowledge, and talent to accelerate African tech,” said Ashley Njoroge, Founder of Silicon Xchange.
“By bringing the Startup World Cup to Kenya for the first time, we’re creating a direct pathway for local founders to plug into a global investment ecosystem. It’s a moment to reframe how African innovation is represented and recognized. The ideas have always been here. Now we’re building the bridges to take them further.”

From Local Pitch to Global Platform

Top 10 Finalists:

• BuuPass (Winner)
• Sio Valley Technologies
• Ndovu Wealth Limited
• Neural Labs Africa
• Jahazii
• LeafyLife
• PaydHQ Inc
• Melanin Kapital Neobank
• Zerobionic
• VunaPay

Judging Panel:

• Kosen Kenta - Principal, Antler
• Nick Vilelle - Founder, NaiBan
• Pulkit Srivastava - Co-Founder, Evage Ventures
• Mia von Koschitzky-Kimani - Managing Partner, Future Africa

“We’re honored to have won the Kenya regional finals of the Startup World Cup. This milestone reflects the passion, grit, and commitment our team has poured into building a seamless transport booking experience for millions across Africa,” said Wyclife Omondi, Co-founder of  BuuPass.

“Representing Kenya at the global finale in San Francisco is both humbling and energizing. It’s a powerful moment, not just for BuuPass, but for African innovation as a whole. , but for African innovation as a whole. We look forward to sharing our story, learning from other global startups, and showcasing the potential of African-born solutions on one of the biggest entrepreneurial stages in the world”

A New Model for Public-Private Collaboration

This initiative is more than a competition—it’s a proof of concept for how governments, investors, and ecosystem builders can collaborate to unlock global capital, networks, and infrastructure for African startups.

“This partnership is part of KENIA’s broader strategy to reimagine how the government supports startups,” said Dr. Tonny Omwansa, CEO of KENIA.
“By working directly with private sector players like Silicon Xchange and NaiBAN, we’re moving beyond policy into action—creating opportunities that are real, visible, and global.”

“The tech coming out of Kenya is world class. But sometimes the world doesn't see it,” said Nick Vilelle, Founder of NaiBAN.
“This initiative helps solve that by shining the spotlight on the founders and their innovations.”