Neural Labs Africa and Me-Nasoma, two Kenyan startups, have emerged as winners of the inaugural AI Academy Kenya Pitchathon hosted in Nairobi. The event, organized by Meta in collaboration with the Nairobi-based AI accelerator This Is Digital, awarded $5,000 in equity-free funding and Meta advertising credits to the two firms. The competition took place on Friday, with eight other startups also participating. The winners were selected based on their innovative use of artificial intelligence.
The contest aimed to support local tech talent and promote AI-driven solutions. Neural Labs Africa and Me-Nasoma were recognized for their potential to contribute to Kenya’s growing tech ecosystem. Both startups have been invited to further engage with Meta’s resources and platforms. The event highlighted Nairobi’s role as a hub for technological innovation in East Africa.
This marks a significant milestone for Kenyan startups in the AI sector. The Pitchathon underscores growing interest in leveraging artificial intelligence for business and societal impact. The winners will now have access to additional support and visibility, which could help scale their ventures. The contest also reflects Meta’s ongoing efforts to foster innovation in emerging markets. The success of these startups could inspire more local entrepreneurs to explore AI as a tool for development.
