Safaricom has unveiled 10 startups as finalists for the second cohort of its Spark Accelerator Program, a corporate innovation initiative launched in partnership with M-PESA Africa, Sumitomo Corporation, and implemented by iHUB.
The startups are:
- Mediakits.Io
- WePlay Arcade
- GoPay
- FlexPay
- QuePay
- Leta.AI
- Oye
- DigiTax
- Incourage Insurance Agency Limited
- StockApp
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The startups will join a three-month acceleration program beginning October 2025. The program is designed to fast-track growth by combining mentorship, technical support, and corporate market access.
According to Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa, the accelerator’s goal is to “nurture, grow and scale commercially viable tech start-ups that drive positive societal impact.” He noted that the company has expanded support for early-stage ventures beyond capital to include product development, access to customers, and distribution networks.
The accelerator follows a dual-track approach:
- iHUB-led Track where startups undergo structured workshops, advisory sessions, and expert mentorship.
- Corporate Engagement Track where Safaricom and M-PESA Africa open up commercial and technical teams, along with distribution channels, to help startups integrate and scale.
The program will end with a Demo Day scheduled on February 2026. Participating startups will have a chance to pitch to venture capital funds and potential investors. Beyond the Demo Day, the companies will also receive nine to twelve months of post-acceleration support.
Sectors in focus
The second cohort’s ventures operate in sectors Safaricom considers strategically relevant for Africa: Embedded Finance, Creative Economy, Future Fintech, and SME Productivity Tools.
Ojoma Ochai, Managing Director of iHUB and Co-creation Hub, highlighted the importance of corporate accelerators in Africa’s innovation journey: “This approach strengthens the capacity of ventures to scale and creates new pathways for sustainable growth and resilience across the continent.”
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Also Read: Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator Opens Applications for Fifth Cohort
