NINJA Accelerator selects five start-ups in Kenya, sets them up for funding

TOKYO – The first Japanese-led acceleration program in Africa, a.k.a. the NINJA Accelerator, is ongoing in Nairobi, Kenya.

The program by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is part of the “Next Innovation with Japan project”. Project NINJA and is one in the series which the group will launch in the next three years.

In 2020, the NINJA accelerator program was in Ethiopia and in Kenya in 2021.

Double Feather Partners (DFP)/ Deloitte Tohmatsu consortium, and GrowthAfrica have partnered with JICA on the 2021 accelerator program in Kenya.

What is NINJA Accelerator

The NINJA Accelerator Program aims at funding participating businesses and empowering them with strategic partnerships, mentorships.

JICA has now selected the first cohort of five Kenyan start-ups after the application.

The online Kick-Off Event showcased the five outstanding Kenyan ventures as well as its uniquely blended local and international program and its organizers.

The startups will take part in a three-month, tailored, intensive program that offers a unique blend of African/Japanese expertise.

More so, they will have access to a pool of Japanese, African and global mentors and investors.

Each selected startup will be offered a $15,000 Welcome Award from Double Feather Partners, as well as a chance to participate in a business event in Tokyo courtesy of JICA among other surprises.

The accelerator program will boost JICA’s engagement with African start-ups, building upon its “NINJA Business Plan Competition in Response to COVID-19”.

More information is available on the program’s website at www.jica.ninja.