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HACKHOUSE RESIDENCY

Two tracks. One mission.
Go to market.

A 12-week residency program for founders at every stage. Whether you're building from scratch or scaling what works — Hackhouse gives you the structure, mentorship, and accountability to make it happen.

Apply for SparkApply for Scale

How it works

Hackhouse runs two concurrent tracks — Spark for founders at the idea stage, and Scale for founders already in business. Both tracks meet on the same day, share guest speakers, and come together for a combined Demo Day at the end.

Every Wednesday from 6pm. 12 weeks. KES 25,000.

2
Cohorts Completed
23
Startups Built
8+
Active Pilots / Revenue
KES 25,000
Program Fee
Two Tracks · 12-Week Curriculum

Choose your track.

Both tracks run concurrently on Wednesdays, share guest speakers, and culminate in a combined Demo Day.

IDEA STAGE

Spark Program

From idea to first customers

For founders who have a business idea or early-stage product that needs validation, building, and launching. You'll go from concept to your first paying customers in 12 weeks.

Duration12 weeks
StageIdea / Pre-revenue
ScheduleEvery Wednesday, 6pm
FeeKES 25,000
OutcomeValidated product + first customers + Demo Day pitch
Apply for Spark →
GROWTH STAGE

Scale Program

From traction to sustainable growth

For founders who already have a working business and need to figure out operations, team, growth strategy, and fundraising. Take what's working and make it scalable.

Duration12 weeks
StageRevenue / Growth
ScheduleEvery Wednesday, 6pm
FeeKES 25,000
OutcomeScalable operations + growth strategy + Demo Day pitch
Apply for Scale →
Both Tracks Include
Guest Speakers
Industry leaders every week. Both tracks attend together.
Combined Demo Day
Both tracks pitch to investors and the ecosystem.
Community
Weekly accountability with a room full of builders.
Alumni Network
Ongoing access to the Hackhouse network and resources.
Workspace
Build from 124 Manyani East Road, Nairobi.
Spark Program Alumni

Past cohorts.

Founders who went through the Spark track (formerly Hackhouse Residency) and shipped real products to real customers.

Cohort 2 · HackHouse 2.0
Cohort 1 · HackHouse 1
Cohort 2 · HackHouse 2.0

Go to Market. For Real.

8 WeeksEvery Wednesday13 Startups
“Set a target. Hit it. No excuses.”

13 startups across fintech, edtech, agritech, travel, creative economy, and more. Each founder set an ambitious 8-week go-to-market target and worked every Wednesday night to close deals, ship product, and find customers.

KA
Fintech / Fraud Intelligence
KeverdAI
Real-time fraud intelligence for Kenyan fintechs. Signed pilot with PayD, consulted with CBK on compliance, cut server latency from 1s to 150ms.
Hawona Rodgers, Robert Odhiambo & Ridan Hawi
KL
Fintech / Social Commerce
KashLink
Escrow payments for social commerce. Live M-Pesa integration, 10 sellers onboarded, 24.8K TikTok views, placed 2nd at Hult Prize.
Francis
NL
EdTech / Engineering Talent
NexLynk Engineers
Engineering talent platform. 500+ applicants, 6+ placements completed, MOUs with UNLOKKINO and IEEE, Berlin Dreams cohort launched.
Juma Nelima Shalin
EI
SaaS / Circular Economy
Earthwise Insights
Circular economy intelligence. 2 signed LOIs in week 1, confirmed M&E partner for Futbol Mas, pursuing UNEP collaboration.
Eunice Njeri Muciri
SF
Space Education / STEM
Space Fika
Hands-on CanSat programs in schools. Closed Kes 20,450 contract with NEXA International School. 8 corporate proposals submitted.
Billy Nyaga
SK
Travel & Relocation
Safari Kenya
On-ground relocation for expats moving to Kenya. Pre-programme sales of Kes 30K, secured apartment placements for UN interns.
Yvonne Nawade
SA
EdTech / STEM App
Soma App
Mobile STEM learning for JSS students on CBC curriculum. Approved on PlayStore, 538+ students waitlisted, 5 teachers partnered.
Cynthia Njagi
SS
Creative Economy / Art
Studio Shop Kenya
Digital-first art marketplace. 8 artists onboarded, Nairobi Design Week partnership confirmed, Glee Hotel pop-up secured.
Eunice Njeri Muciri
ML
Agri-Logistics
Mavunolink
Farm-to-market coordination connecting rural farmers to urban markets. Field interviews completed, first potato order secured.
Ester Chepunton
LM
SaaS / School Management
Lumeka
All-in-one school management app for fees, attendance, and parent communication. School administrators engaged, launch date set.
Frank Mugendi
AH
Logistics / Youth Employment
AfriHaul Youth Alliance
Connecting trained youth to logistics opportunities. Partnered with NexLynk, onboarded 6 members, executed first placement.
Caleb Siambi
SW
Circular Fashion
Swapwear App
Peer-to-peer clothing swap marketplace building circular fashion in Kenya. Pitch video filmed, investor platform onboarded.
Maurice Judica
NV
Automotive Tech
Nick’s Ventures
AutoConnect wireless adapter installations for older vehicles. COO locked in, SOPs structured, investor pitch completed.
Kivite Ian
13
Startups Participated
8+
Active Pilots or Revenue
500+
Users & Customers Reached
Cohort 1 · HackHouse 1

The Inaugural Go-to-Market Residency

8 WeeksEvery Wednesday10 Startups
“Stop planning. Start selling.”

The first-ever Hackhouse cohort. 10 founders with businesses at different stages — all struggling with the same thing: getting to market. Each set an 8-week target and worked every Wednesday night to hit it.

SH
Content Marketing
Shawishi
Content studio for global brands in Kenya. Signed Twiva contract, gained 7,000 followers in one month, opened Italian Embassy talks.
Denis
BB
EdTech / Schools
BuniBase
Digital learning platform for international schools. Pipeline includes Nova Pioneer, Woodcreek, Rose of Sharon. Greenlit for Shark Tank.
Brooke & Nick
YO
Creator Economy
Young Origins
Creator agency connecting East African creators with brands. 10+ videos produced, 1 client closed, service packages structured.
Tugi
TW
Event Tech / NFC
TagWave
NFC-powered event ticketing and access management. Company registered, suppliers identified, Tukutane Entertainment partnership explored.
Joyce Achieng
IL
EdTech / Online Learning
iLearnZed
Zambia-based online learning platform. Grew from 10 to 19 teachers, 4 courses in creation, 6 students onboarded. Fully incorporated.
Moses Chisunka
QP
Gaming / Edu-Entertainment
QPid Tech
Interactive gaming with Fiesta social game. Successful Halloween event, Braeside school license near-closed, Arban Games collab.
Prince, Robert & Jeff
TK
Home Services
TidyKE
On-demand cleaning platform connecting vetted cleaners with Nairobi homeowners. Auth APIs built, 8 cleaners recruited.
Prince & Brooke
NF
Food Tech
Nairobi Feast
Restaurant discovery and deals platform. Analytics grew to 13,000, Tribe Hotels group partnership secured. Business registered.
Dave
AG
Gaming / Social Media
ArbanGames
Gaming brand building social and mobile games. SeanMMG collaborations, Fiesta v2 uploaded to platform.
Leon
LH
Coworking / Innovation
Lavant Haus
Creative coworking and innovation community. Three innovation hubs reached, branding completed with logo and landing page.
Lenny
10
Startups Participated
4
Signed Deals or Revenue
20K+
Audience Reached
Join Hackhouse

Apply for Hackhouse.

Fill out the form and we'll review your application. Not sure which track is right for you? Select "Not sure" and we'll help you decide.

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Applications reviewed within 5 working days
✓
Open to founders at any stage — idea, pre-revenue, or scaling
✓
KES 25,000 program fee — covers all 12 weeks
✓
Combined Demo Day in front of investors
✓
Every Wednesday at 124 Manyani East Road, Nairobi
KES 25,000

For 12 weeks of structured mentorship, accountability, guest speakers, workspace access, and a Demo Day pitch.

Apply Now →