In Kenya’s startup ecosystem, founders often walk a lonely path. Many lack mentorship, community and visibility beyond their immediate networks. At the same time, investors face a fragmented deal-flow system, with each venture capital firm requiring separate applications. For Kevin Mulama, this disconnect highlighted a gap, Kenya needs its own digital meeting ground for entrepreneurs and investors.
That’s the idea behind Funder, a platform Mulama built to centralize deal flow and build a community. He describes it as a hybrid between Crunchbase and LinkedIn, but with a distinctly Kenyan focus. Startups can register, upload their pitch, share milestones and showcase progress over time. Investors and VCs can browse, comment and reach out directly without going through an intermediary.
“This journey is lonely. No one shows you the ropes. Funder is a place where entrepreneurs can share progress, get feedback, and know they’re not alone,” Mulama told TechArena.
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Beyond visibility, Funder is designed to break down barriers between founders and investors. Mulama has already reached out to local VCs, some of whom are exploring integration: when founders apply via a VC’s website, their applications could automatically sync to Funder, ensuring startups don’t fall through the cracks. So far, five startups have been introduced to VCs through the platform.
For now, Funder is free for startups. Revenue will come later through webinars, due diligence services for investors and training sessions. Mulama also sees potential in fractional investing, allowing multiple individuals to co-invest in a single startup. This, he argues, could shift local investor behavior away from traditional options like land and real estate, and towards innovation.
The long-term vision is bigger than just deal flow. Mulama believes platforms like Funder can help Kenya build the next generation of unicorns by creating an environment where startups are nurtured, critiqued, and supported locally.
“In Nigeria, startups aggressively support each other. Here, everyone is on their own. If the ecosystem grows, we all grow. Funder is about bringing everyone to the same table,” he said.
For Kenya’s ecosystem, where M-Pesa remains the last true homegrown tech success story, the timing may be right. With funding gaps still evident across Africa, platforms like Funder aim to do more than match capital with ideas, they aim to rewrite the rules of engagement between founders and investors.
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