01
Content
Main Stage and Impact Stage keynotes give you the clearest read on where African tech is actually heading — straight from the founders building it.
Africa Startup Festival Kenya 2026
Thursday, October 29th
Island Farm, Kenya
CLOSE THE YEAR HERE STRONG
The one event on your calendar this yearWidely regarded as one of Africa's leading deal-making and networking gatherings, ASF sits at the intersection of capital, startups and culture, bringing together investors, founders, builders and operators into one room to see where emerging technology and bold new ideas are taking the continent's industries next — setting up the partnerships and deals that carry into the year ahead.
Meet Our Speakers
We announce new speakers every week.
Amb - Prof Bitange Ndemo
Former Ambassador to Belgium & EU, GOVERNMENT OF KENYA
Amb - Prof Bitange Ndemo
Former Ambassador to Belgium & EU, GOVERNMENT OF KENYA
Michael Mutie
Head of Exits and Portfolio Management, Launch Africa Ventures
Michael Mutie
Head of Exits and Portfolio Management, Launch Africa Ventures
Paul Breloff
Co-Founder & CEO, Shortlist Professionals
Paul Breloff
Co-Founder & CEO, Shortlist Professionals
Kaushik Burman
CEO, Spiro
Kaushik Burman
CEO, Spiro
ONE DAY TO ATTEND
Built differently for investors and foundersSame festival, two very different paths — pick the path that matches why you're here.
For capital
Investor Experience
Concierge-booked meetings before you land, self serve booking on the floor, a dedicated lounge, and full access to the Main stage and Impact stage.
Investor Hours - concierge + self-serve
Speaker Lounge Access
Main Stage & Impact Stage
For builders
Startup Experience
Pitch on the Main stage or Impact stage, get matched into Investor Hours, and get tactical advice from operators in Mentor Hours - all in a single day.
Main Stage & Impact Stage pitch slots
Investor Hours matchmaking
Mentor Hours across 5 focus areas
Why people fly in for this
Five reasons ASF is worth the trip
Not five features — five things people actually leave with.
02
Deals
Investor Hours turns the room into a working session — founders and funds matched by real fit, meetings booked, term sheets started.
03
Culture
From the Opening Mixer to the Night Festival, this is where Africa's builders come together to celebrate the work, not just pitch it.
04
Mentorship
Mentor Hours puts founders in the room with operators who've solved the exact problem they're stuck on — legal, ops, fundraising, marketing, tech.
05
Quality connections
The Speaker Lounge and City Circles are built for depth over headcount — fewer conversations, but the kind that turn into something after the festival ends.
2026 Partners
Brands Building Alongside ASF
We Partner with organisations that use the festival to reach founders, investors and operators that matter most to them. if this sounds like you lets talk.