The UK–Kenya Tech Hub has collaboratively launched 'Startup 360 Connect' in partnership with Viktoria Ventures and key local ecosystem players. Announced on January 14, 2026, this initiative is strategically designed to bolster Kenya’s early-stage investment pipeline by creating vital links between founders, investors, and avenues for market access. The programme brings together the expertise of Viktoria Ventures, Anza Village, and POV to systematically address identified gaps in angel investing capacity and founder preparedness within the Kenyan tech landscape.

At the core of Startup 360 Connect is the 'Angel Leads Programme', meticulously delivered by Viktoria Ventures. This component is focused on the crucial training of aspiring angel investors and facilitating structured investment syndication. Participants in this programme receive comprehensive, practical training in deal evaluation methodologies and the formation of investment syndicates. A defining feature is the mandatory commitment of $1,000 from each participant, which is pooled into a syndicated investment at the culmination of the programme, with investment decisions made collectively by the syndicate members, thus fostering a disciplined approach to capital deployment.

Complementing the investor development, founder development is a central pillar, delivered through 'Startup School Kenya'. This segment is spearheaded by Anza Village, in close collaboration with the UK–Kenya Tech Hub and various industry partners. Startups successfully graduating from this rigorous programme are directly funneled into the Angel Leads pipeline, ensuring a seamless connection between founder readiness and the availability of capital. Furthermore, the initiative incorporates POV’s 'GrowthPath' pillar, which is dedicated to exposing both startups and investors to the intricacies and dynamics of market entry into the UK, providing a valuable cross-border dimension.

The inaugural Angel Leads Programme is scheduled to run from February to June 2026, with applications open until January 30. This comprehensive approach signifies a pivotal shift within Kenya’s tech ecosystem, moving beyond a sole focus on founder support towards a more balanced and robust capital formation strategy. Historically, while startup creation in Kenya has accelerated at a remarkable pace, early-stage capital has lagged significantly, resulting in many promising companies remaining underfunded even after achieving initial traction. By integrating investor training, mandatory capital commitments, and a consistent pipeline of investment-ready founders, Startup 360 Connect is engineered to transition the ecosystem from mere awareness to concrete execution.

The innovative $1,000 commitment model is instrumental in lowering barriers to entry for new angel investors while simultaneously encouraging disciplined and collective syndication practices. The strategic linkage with the UK provides an invaluable cross-border dimension, enabling both investors and founders to comprehend pathways to international expansion without an exclusive reliance on foreign capital. This nuanced approach effectively strengthens local ownership within the tech sector while maintaining crucial global connectivity. Should Startup 360 Connect prove successful, it holds immense potential to serve as a scalable template for other nascent African markets aspiring to deepen their angel investing capacity and mitigate dependence on sporadic seed funding, thereby establishing a more predictable and sustainable foundation for early-stage growth across the continent.