META AI ACADEMY KENYA · 2026
AI Pitchathon — Meta AI Academy Kenya
Kenya's startup AI competition. Ten Kenyan startups and developers building with Meta's AI technologies pitch live in Nairobi on 16 October 2026; two win US$5,000 in equity-free funding, Meta advertising credits and a place at Meta's AI Summit in Istanbul in November.
KEY FACTS
AI Pitchathon 2026 — pitch day, Nairobi
- APPLICATIONS CLOSED
- 30 September 2026, 23:59 EAT
- SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED
- 8 October 2026 — ten startups
- PITCH DAY
- 16 October 2026, live in Nairobi
- PRIZE
- US$5,000 equity-free × 2 winners + Meta advertising credits
- AND THEN
- Meta AI Summit, Istanbul, November 2026
- WHO CAN APPLY
- Kenyan startups and developers building with Meta's open-source AI models, tools or platforms
Applications closed
What happens next →Organised by Meta with This Is Digital. Read the Pitchathon privacy notice or go back to the Meta AI Academy Kenya page.
HOW IT WORKS
Four steps from application to Istanbul.
Closed 30 September. Teams told us who they are, the problem they solve and how they build on Meta's AI technologies.
A panel reviews every application after the deadline. Ten teams are told by 8 October.
Pitch live in Nairobi on 16 October to the panel and the ecosystem — investors, builders and the Meta team.
Two winners each take US$5,000 equity-free, Meta advertising credits and a seat at Meta's AI Summit in Istanbul in November.
HOW APPLICATIONS ARE ASSESSED
Seven weighted criteria.
A real, specific problem and a clear group of users in Kenya or the region.
A product that solves the problem, with Meta's AI technologies doing real work in it.
Evidence of progress for your stage: users, pilots, revenue or partnerships.
A credible market and a way for the business to sustain itself.
Who benefits, and by how much, if this works.
The skills to build and sell the product.
A clear pitch deck and a sensible plan for the US$5,000.
FAQS
Pitchathon questions, answered.
What is the AI Pitchathon?
A live pitch competition for Kenyan startups and developers building with Meta's AI technologies, run under the Meta AI Academy Kenya with This Is Digital. Ten shortlisted teams pitch in Nairobi on 16 October 2026.
Who could apply?
Startups and independent developers based in Kenya whose product or prototype uses Meta's open-source AI models, tools or platforms, entering as a team — one application per startup. Applications closed on 30 September 2026.
What happens now applications have closed?
Applications closed on 30 September 2026 at 23:59 EAT. A panel reviews every entry; the ten shortlisted teams are told by 8 October and everyone else hears from us by email.
What do the winners receive?
Two winners each receive US$5,000 in equity-free funding, Meta advertising credits and a place at Meta's AI Summit in Istanbul in November 2026.
Is there an entry fee?
No. Applying and pitching are free. Travel to Nairobi for pitch day is each team's own responsibility.
Questions we haven't answered? Contact the team.
META × THIS IS DIGITAL