Neural Labs Africa and Me-Nasoma won funding at the Meta AI Academy Kenya Pitchathon.
Neural Labs Africa and Me-Nasoma each won US$5,000 at Meta’s Nairobi pitchathon and will showcase healthcare and education tools in Istanbul.
Two Kenyan AI startups have each won US$5,000, about Sh645,000, at the inaugural Meta AI Academy Kenya Pitchathon. Neural Labs Africa and Me-Nasoma also secured opportunities to present their innovations at an international summit in Istanbul.
The awards include equity-free funding alongside Meta advertising credits to help the businesses expand their solutions. Both winners will attend Meta’s Regional AI Summit on November 24, 2026, in Türkiye.
Meta organised the competition with Nairobi-based AI accelerator This Is Digital. The October 16 event in Nairobi drew more than 426 applications, with ten finalists presenting their solutions.
Kenyan AI startups tackle healthcare and education barriers
Neural Labs Africa, led by Tom Kinyanjui, won for its AI-powered tele-radiology platform, NeuralSight. The platform connects healthcare facilities with remote specialists to improve access to diagnostic services.
Its focus includes areas with limited internet connectivity, where access to specialist healthcare remains a challenge. Meanwhile, Me-Nasoma targets barriers that prevent people from accessing written information.
Founded by Oscar Karuga, Me-Nasoma converts documents and web pages into audio in local languages. The tool serves students, professionals and readers facing challenges such as visual impairments or low literacy levels.
Together, the winning tools address access to specialist healthcare and inclusive education, particularly in underserved communities.
Finalists offer tools for clinics, schools and businesses
The ten finalists covered five sectors: healthcare, education and assistive technology, retail and commerce, legal services, and finance and tax compliance.
Other healthcare entries included Solivia Data’s AfyaEdge, an offline-first, solar-powered triage hub for clinics in off-grid communities. O.C.A., or Offline Claims Audit, also presented an offline AI tool for checking Social Health Authority claims before submission.
In legal services, HakiChain offered an AI suite tailored to African law and data protection standards. Meanwhile, John Digital Solutions presented Sawazisha AI, a WhatsApp assistant for small businesses complying with eTIMS tax invoicing requirements.
Utter Africa showcased a browser-based communication platform for early-verbal and nonverbal children, using Kiswahili and local languages. Jackfruit Network’s School Needs Recommender also focused on education, helping low-fee private schools improve planning.
The remaining finalists included JuaFlow, which automates business workflows, and TemboTrade, which combines SME sales, inventory management and M-Pesa payments.
Partners emphasise support for local innovation
Barnabas Sang, Director of ICT Field Services at the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy, stressed the importance of homegrown innovation. He said platforms supporting local talent help advance Kenya’s digital economy and the government’s digital transformation agenda.
Meta’s Public Policy Manager for East and Horn of Africa, Sarah Muyonga, said partnerships expand access to AI skills and tools. She also said the application numbers showed strong interest in using Meta’s AI technologies to address practical challenges.
Meanwhile, Meta Policy Programs Manager Chinny Francis said the academy works with partners who understand local innovation ecosystems. He said combining that knowledge with AI tools and mentorship helps innovators respond to community needs.
This Is Digital co-founder and chief executive Greg Wanjama similarly highlighted support for African innovators. He said the accelerator aims to provide skills, tools and opportunities that turn promising ideas into lasting solutions.
The winners’ next step is the Istanbul summit. There, they will present their healthcare and education innovations to investors, policymakers and technology leaders.
