NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Thursday, November 29, 2018

By Wambui Waweru

Google has announced the 12 finalists for the first Google Impact Challenge in Kenya, which sought to identify and fund the most innovative social enterprises using technology to improve society on a local or national scale.

Google is investing a total of Sh200 million in grants to 12 non-profit organisations in Kenya. Lewa Wildlife Marathon was named the winner of the Public Vote, while African Prisons Project, Startup Lions and Ujuzi Kilimo Solutions won the Judges’ Vote. The four winners received Sh25 million each.

The eight finalists, who each received Sh12.5 million, were: AfriScout, Creatives Garage, GiveDirectly Kenya, Global Minimum InLab, M-Shule, NairoBits, Sauti and The Somo Project. Google will also provide support and training to the 12 nonprofits to scale their projects.

Photo courtesy of Steven Lilley.