She’s Next: Women Breaking Barriers in Tech Startups

She’s Next: Women in tech startups. Women entrepreneurs have faced a variety of challenges in achieving success. The challenges range from gender bias, and lack of funding, to limited access to networks. 

However, despite the challenges, women are breaking the roof and aiming beyond the sky to achieve success. More women in tech are also emerging as leaders and are redefining traditional concepts of success. They are breaking barriers in tech startups. 

This article explores some successful innovations initiated by five amazing women in tech. These women won the She’s Next competition and have come up as finalists for the Visa-powered grant competition.

She’s Next, is a program whose existence is to support the creation of a world where women business owners flourish through funding, training, and mentorship.

She’s Next: Women In Tech Startups

Note that over 2,300 local SMEs applied for the competition, each with innovative sectoral solutions. The finalists found unique ways to incorporate technology into their businesses. These innovations are sure to make a positive impact in the business world.

Busu Naturals,  founded and owned by Emma Omany, is an SME that manufactures local emollients that cater to sensitive (read eczema-prone) African skin. The SME was named the winner of She’s Next. 

Emma Omany is a marketer and digital strategist who gleans data to grow her distinct client base. Omany will spend the prize money on expansion beyond her e-commerce site, reaching into the pockets of anyone who wants soft, glowing skin.

Omany, speaking on her win, said, “This win means a lot to us because it gives us confidence and affirms that we are on the right track. It is a testament to the fact that small steps matter and that everything we have done thus far is aiding our mission.”

“The support we will get through this grant and training will help us grow our capacity and expand our market reach. It will also go a long way in generating impact for us since we are focused on creating more opportunities for the women and youth in our value chain.”

The Second and Third Finalists

Timao Group‘s Jean James turns ‘good’ plastic into crushable pellets that transform into building bricks. She emerged as second.    

The plastic collector turned visionary ventures into a marker ridden with cartels. She partnered with women-strong CBOs. They collect and curate the plastic, and also make a living while at it. 

She said, “I made sure that I worked with CBOs on the ground, and built my cartel while at it.” 

According to Statista, “In 2021, global plastic recycling was estimated at roughly $40 billion. This market was forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of seven percent between 2022 and 2031, to reach some $78 billion in the latter year.”

Code With Kids emerged third. Founder Renice Owino believes in the future, having “… bridged the digital divide because both boys and girls will have grown up coding next to each other.”

Having loved coding since she was a child, Owino saw an opportunity to reach across the threshold in Kibera to Lodwar where she cultivated networks to leverage.

Other She’s Next Finalists

The other two each got awarded for their participation. Crafts With Meaning, founded by their CEO Caroline Ng’ang’a, is an award-winning social enterprise. It collaborates with artisans across Kenya and Uganda to create home decor goods, lifestyle accessories, bags, and corporate merchandise inspired by Africa’s heritage. 

Cladfy operates in the wildly popular albeit increasingly crowded digital lending space by addressing the credit gap in Sub-Saharan Africa’s informal sector.

The CEO & Founder Ebby Gatamu‘s vision is to enable micro-lenders to provide working capital loans to micro-businesses such as smallholder farmers, fish vendors, and motorcycle riders.

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She’s Next: Women in Tech Startups Reveals Females Are Not Subjected To Societal Biases

These incredible women have accomplished incredible feats and are breaking boundaries in tech entrepreneurism. They have proven that gender bias does not define success and are opening doors for the next generations. 

Addressing various gaps by providing mentorship, funding, and education that can impact young girls, diverse groups, and future entrepreneurs.

Moreover, their stories continue to inspire and motivate many to strive for what’s possible. 

Eva Ngigi-Sarwari, Visa Kenya Country Manager, said, “We are delighted to announce the winners of the inaugural She’s Next Kenya grant competition.”

“We are also proud to recognize these SMEs who have exhibited remarkable innovation, resilience, and vision, which will serve them well as they seek to positively contribute to the Kenyan economy.”

“Additionally, we are excited about walking this journey with them to see them hit new heights using the skills and strategies the She’s Next program will equip them with.”