Power Learn Project, an organization dedicated to providing affordable and accessible tech training to youth across Africa, has announced the remarkable achievement of two of its alumni. Payd, a startup venture founded by Japheth Achimba and Benaiah Wepundi, emerged as the winner of the prestigious Mozilla Africa Mradi Innovation Challenge. This competition, sponsored by Mozilla in partnership with Gladys Boss Shollei Foundation and Nairobi County, aims to identify groundbreaking solutions that utilize technology to address African problems and make a positive impact on communities.
Payd, a payment platform designed specifically for freelancers and creatives, caught the attention of the judges with its comprehensive solution to challenges faced by individuals in the freelance industry. The platform addresses issues such as delayed or non-payment, lack of customizable payment workflows, manual receipting and invoicing redundancies, and the absence of proper financial tracking and planning.
Out of numerous applicants, Payd secured a coveted position in the top twenty finalists after an intense pitch session. On June 27, 2023, at Arboretum, the top twenty startups pitched their innovative ideas and exhibited their solutions. The judges were impressed by Payd’s ability to streamline payment processes, enhance financial management, and empower freelancers to take control of their earnings. As a result, Payd was awarded a substantial grant of Ksh 4 million, including Ksh 3.5 million in milestone-based funding and an additional Ksh 500,000 in technical support to further develop their innovative payment platform.
Japheth Achimba, co-founder of Payd, expressed his thrill and gratitude for the recognition received in the Mozilla Africa Mradi Innovation Challenge. Inspired by their own experiences as freelancers, Japheth and Benaiah created Payd to address the pain points faced by many in the industry. The grant received will accelerate the development of Payd, enabling freelancers and creatives to thrive in their professional pursuits.
Power Learn Project congratulated Japheth, Benaiah, and the entire Payd team on their remarkable achievement. Their success serves as a testament to the institution’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among its learners. The organization aims to empower its learners to unleash their entrepreneurial spirit and build successful startups by providing a transformative learning environment that fosters innovation, cultivates critical thinking, and equips individuals with the necessary skills to thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape.
“At Power Learn Project, we are dedicated to empowering our learners to unleash their entrepreneurial spirit and build successful startups. We provide a transformative learning
environment that fosters innovation, cultivates critical thinking, and equips individuals with the necessary skills to thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape. The recent win of our alumni start-up, Payd, in the Mozilla Africa Mradi Innovation Challenge, is a testament to the power of our approach. We are proud to be part of their journey and celebrate their success. Join us as we continue to empower learners to turn their ideas into reality and create a lasting impact on the world.’’ said Mumbi Ndung’u, Chief of Growth & Operations at Power Learn Project.
Launched in April 2022 in Kenya, Power Learn Project (PLP) is a Pan-African organization dedicated to driving transformative change by empowering youth through quality, affordable, and decentralized software development and smart technologies training. With a presence in over five African countries, PLP has trained an estimated 10,000 software developers, and its first cohort of 1,000 graduated in December 2022. PLP offers various pathways, ranging from upskilling to jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities, to support its graduates.
