Startup and technology event Latitude59 is returning to Kenya for the fourth year in a row, with applications now open for the Kenya Pitch Competition. Early-stage startups from Kenya and across Africa are invited to compete for non-equity funding, partner prizes, and the opportunity to pitch on the main stage of Latitude59 Kenya Edition in Nairobi this December.

Latitude59 CEO Liisi Org said that Latitude59 is one of the most international, impactful, and diverse startup and technology events, serving as a global platform connecting startups, investors, and startup ecosystem builders from around the world.

“Rooted in Estonia, Latitude59 has established a strong international presence and built strong connections across Africa. Our events in Kenya and South Africa have shown that our commitment to building bridges between Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Nordic countries creates new opportunities for startups, investors, partners, and the global ecosystem. We are now returning to Kenya for the fourth year in a row and inviting founders from across Africa to apply for the opportunity to present their startups on the Latitude59 Pitch Competition stage in Nairobi this December,” said Org.

Latitude59 Kenya Edition 2026 will take place on December 3–4 in Nairobi, marking the fourth Latitude59 event held in Kenya. December 3 will be dedicated to investor activities and side events, while the conference will take place on December 4.

Across the two-day programme, African founders, global investors, and companies operating across African and international markets will come together in Nairobi to connect, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities to scale globally. Last year’s event attracted around 2,000 participants from Africa and around the world, and this year the organizers expect a similar turnout of around 2,000 attendees, including 600 investors from Africa, Europe, the Nordics, and Asia.

This year, Latitude59 is also expanding its presence in Africa. For the first time, two pre-events will be held in Uganda and Zambia, further strengthening Latitude59’s connections with startup communities across the continent.

A highlight of Latitude59 Kenya Edition 2026 will be the traditional Latitude59 Pitch Competition, held on the event’s main stage on December 4.

According to Latitude59 Head of Investor-Startup Relations Krista Meinarde, early-stage startups from Kenya and across Africa are welcome to apply. “Last year, the Latitude59 Pitch Competition attracted over 600 startup participants, and we expect similar interest this year. I’m very excited to return to Kenya and look forward to working with this year’s candidates. We do not restrict applicants to specific sectors, but a strong technological component and a clearly scalable business model are important. Ideally, we are looking for startups with a functioning MVP, clear traction, and teams that are actively fundraising,” explained Meinarde.

From all applicants, 10 of the strongest teams will be selected to receive professional pitch training and mentoring. The finalists will compete on the main stage of Latitude59 Kenya Edition for a prize pool of non-equity funding as well as prizes from Latitude59 partners. One startup will also receive a fast-track invitation to Latitude59 2027 in Tallinn, Estonia, with Latitude59 covering the cost of round-trip travel to Estonia.

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