AkiraChix

AkiraChix
Name	AkiraChix
Formation	2010
Founders	Akira Mbiuki
Type	Non-profit organization
Headquarters	Nairobi, Kenya
Region served	East Africa
Focus	Technology, Software Development, Entrepreneurship

AkiraChix is a Nairobi-based non-profit organization that focuses on training and empowering young women and girls in software development, entrepreneurship, and technology leadership. Founded in 2010, the organization operates within the broader East African technology ecosystem, engaging with startups, academic institutions, industry partners, and development agencies to increase representation of women in the tech workforce. AkiraChix runs coding bootcamps, mentorship schemes, and incubation programs that connect participants to employers, investors, and global technology networks.

History

AkiraChix was founded in 2010 by Akira Mbiuki amid a growing technology scene that included entities such as iHub, Nairobi, Silicon Savannah, and initiatives like m:lab East Africa. Early activity coincided with regional developments including the rise of Safaricom mobile innovations, the expansion of Nairobi Securities Exchange listed tech ventures, and the proliferation of hackathons inspired by organizers like Code4Kenya and Andela. The organization expanded programming through partnerships with universities such as University of Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and engaged with international programs like UN Women, USAID, and UNICEF-backed technology initiatives. Over time AkiraChix sought to position itself among comparable movements including Women Who Code, Girls Who Code, and SheCodeAfrica while responding to regional challenges highlighted by agencies such as World Bank and African Development Bank.

Mission and Objectives

AkiraChix states objectives that align with increasing participation of women in technology roles across startups, corporations, and public sector programs. Its mission emphasizes skill development similar to programs run by Microsoft Philanthropies, Google.org, and Facebook community outreach, plus entrepreneurship support reminiscent of Tony Elumelu Foundation and Mastercard Foundation initiatives. Core objectives include promoting employability through practical software projects, mentoring inspired by networks like LinkedIn and MentorNet, and fostering female-led innovation that can attract investors such as Y Combinator, 500 Startups, and regional funds like Novastar Ventures.

Programs and Training

AkiraChix offers cohorts, workshops, and internship placement services analogous to curriculum models from General Assembly, Flatiron School, and Coursera course stacks. Programs include intensive coding bootcamps teaching languages and tools used by firms such as Microsoft, Oracle Corporation, Amazon (company), and IBM, alongside product design practices from IDEO and Fjord. Training modules cover mobile development compatible with platforms like Android (operating system) and iOS, web development used by companies such as GitHub and Stripe, and cloud deployment in ecosystems established by Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure. AkiraChix also runs incubation and entrepreneurship tracks that mirror accelerators like Techstars and Startupbootcamp, offering mentorship drawn from investor networks including AngelList and accelerator alumni networks such as MEST Africa.

Impact and Outcomes

Measured outcomes include graduate placement in startups, tech companies, and multinational firms such as Safaricom, Equity Bank, IBM, and regional fintechs influenced by M-Pesa innovations. Alumni have contributed to projects addressing sectors highlighted by World Health Organization and UNICEF for digital health and education, and have participated in regional conferences like AfricaCom and Seamless Africa. AkiraChix’s model has been cited in reports by development organizations including UNESCO and International Telecommunication Union addressing gender gaps in STEM fields. Its alumni success stories intersect with entrepreneurship ecosystems involving Seedstars and investor showcases like Demo Africa.

Partnerships and Funding

AkiraChix has engaged corporate partners such as Microsoft, Google, and Intel Corporation for training resources, alongside collaborations with non-governmental organizations such as UN Women and funders like Ford Foundation and Mastercard Foundation. Local partnerships include incubators and hubs like iHub, Gearbox, and Nailab, and academic collaborators such as Strathmore University and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology. Funding sources mix philanthropic grants, corporate sponsorships, and program revenue, aligning with funding patterns seen in organizations supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and multilateral development programs operated by USAID and European Union.

Organization and Governance

The organization operates as a non-profit with a governance structure that includes a board of advisors and an operational management team. Governance practices echo standards promoted by institutions such as Charity Navigator and GlobalGiving for transparency and impact reporting. AkiraChix coordinates volunteer mentors and instructors drawn from technology companies like Microsoft, Google, IBM, and regional startups, and leverages partnerships with investor networks including VC4A and accelerator programs such as Norrsken.

Notable Alumni and Projects

Alumni have founded or contributed to startups and civic-tech projects that intersect with initiatives led by organizations such as M-Pesa, Tala, Branch International, and Twiga Foods. Notable projects include mobile health applications relevant to World Health Organization priorities, education platforms aligned with UNICEF objectives, and fintech prototypes that engage with regulatory contexts overseen by entities like Central Bank of Kenya. Alumni have showcased work at regional and global events such as AfricaCom, Demo Africa, and Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Kenya Category:Technology organizations Category:Women in technology