The conference for East Africa’s next generation of startups.
On 1 December 2026 StartupEast brings founders, investors and corporates into one room in Nairobi, and puts a spotlight on the early-stage companies the market has not noticed yet. It is a discovery platform first and an awards night second.
Nominate a startupWhat to expect
Nominations are hosted on TechMoran, the media partner behind StartupEast.
Date1 December 2026
LocationNairobi, Kenya
FormatConference & Awards
Open toEast African startups
Deliberately looking beyond the pitch deck.
StartupEast exists to find companies while they are still early enough to surprise the market — a prototype, a minimum viable product, first customers, initial traction. The nomination and selection process builds a pipeline of those companies ahead of December, and the conference is where they meet the people who can fund, buy from or partner with them.
We are looking for startups that are still early enough to surprise the market. There are founders building real businesses, solving difficult problems and winning their first customers without necessarily having the visibility that comes with a large funding round.
Sam Wakoba, co-founder, TechMoran
Applications span artificial intelligence, fintech, health technology, agriculture, climate technology, enterprise software, commerce, logistics, mobility and education.
The people a founder actually needs to meet.
Venture capital investorsFunds actively looking at East African deal flow.Angel investorsIndividuals writing early cheques into the region.CorporatesEnterprises looking for products and partnerships.Technology companiesPlatform and infrastructure partners.Potential customersFirst enterprise customers, which often matter more than an award.FoundersThe shortlisted companies themselves.
Recognition that creates opportunity.
Headline awards alongside sector categories covering the technologies shaping the region.
Startup of the YearMost Promising StartupFounder of the YearAIFintechHealth technologyAgritechClimate technologyEnterprise technology
Sector awards also cover commerce, logistics, mobility and education.
Four stages, starting with a nomination.
NominateAnyone can put a startup forward, including its own team. Nominations are submitted on TechMoran.ShortlistingEntries are reviewed on founder, product, traction and potential to scale.Public votingThe ecosystem helps identify the businesses worth backing.AwardsFinalists are recognised at the conference in Nairobi on 1 December.
Who can be nominated
East AfricaBased in or operating in the region. Founder nationality does not matter.Under $2M raisedBuilt for companies before the large funding round, not after it.Under 8 years oldEarly enough that the market has not made up its mind.
Know a startup that deserves the spotlight?
Nominations are open now and take a couple of minutes. You can nominate your own company or someone else’s.
Submit a nomination on TechMoran
Read the announcement: TechMoran launches StartupEast Conference & Awards
StartupEast Conference & Awards 2026Nairobi, Kenya · 1 December 2026
Nominate a startupTechMoranContact
An initiative by TechMoran, Africa’s pioneer startups and technology news media.