The Google Impact Challenge supports organisations with game-changing ideas to create economic opportunity in their communities.
Our 2018 winners have been announced and you can find them below! Thank you to our finalist organisations, public voters and members of our judging panel for helping to create a better future for all Kenyans.
Meet the winners
Each of our finalists receives a share of $2 million in grant funding as they continue to create better futures for all Kenyans. Finalists receive $125,000 in grant funding while the winners receive $250,000.
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Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
A digital literacy programme to provide fair access quality education to children and youth in marginalised communities.
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Startup Lions
A home for Africa’s rural youth to learn, earn and innovate.
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UjuziKilimo Solutions
Sensors and Big Data analytics for small holder precision farming.
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African Prisons Project
Enhancing Access to Justice and Economic Empowerment.
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The Somo Project
Empowering entrepreneurs to create change in their underserved communities.
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Creatives Garage
Kalabars - reclaiming the African narrative.
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GiveDirectly Kenya
Unconditional cash grants for hundreds of young people living in Nairobi’s urban informal settlements to support entrepreneurship.
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NairoBits Trust
Tech for Empowerment: Leveraging on technology to transform lives.
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Sauti East Africa
A mobile information platform empowering women cross-border traders to work safely, legally and profitably across East Africa.
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M-Shule
A personalised learning platform that combines AI with SMS to transform primary school education for students across Africa.
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AfriScout—A PCI Social Enterprise
Revolutionising the way pastoralists make migration decisions using the power of satellite and mobile technology.
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Global Minimum InLab
Innovation Labs to empower vulnerable Kenyan youth.
About the challenge
Your community. Your ideas to make it better. For the first time, the Google Impact Challenge is coming to Kenya! The challenge asks local innovators how they would make their community–and beyond–an even better place. The public and a panel of local judges vote for the ideas with the most potential, and Google.org pairs each winner with a package of strategic support, funding and Google volunteers.
"Many Kenyans have great ideas that can greatly impact people's lives but often lack the opportunity for funding and support to implement and scale them. The Google Impact Challenge is that opportunity."
H.E. Rachel Ruto, EGH
Spouse of the Deputy President of Kenya. Founder, Joyful Women Organisation. Global Champion for Women Economic Empowerment. Patron of Google Impact Challenge Kenya.
Meet the judges
Our 2018 finalists presented their projects to a panel of judges. Their selection, combined with the public vote, determined the winning organisations.
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Dr. Manu Chandaria, OBE, EBS
Leading Industrialist, Philanthropist; Chancellor, USIU-Kenya and Technical University of Kenya; Chairman, Starehe Girls' Centre
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Caroline Mutoko
One Young World Counsellor, GM of Radio Africa Group, Digital Media Game Changer, YouTuber
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Amb. Dr. Tegla Loroupe, OGW
Former Champion Marathoner, Philanthropist, Peace Activist; 2016 UN Person of the Year (Kenya), 10 Most Influential Kenyan Women
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Tabitha Karanja, MBS
Founder and CEO, Keroche Breweries; Global Inspirational Women Leadership and Entrepreneurial Excellence in Africa Awards
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Salim Amin
Filmmaker, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist; Chairman, Camerapix Ltd and Founder, Mohamed Amin Foundation
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Janet Mawiyoo
Community Empowerment, Development & Governance Expert; Executive Director, Kenya Community Development Foundation
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Charles Murito
Country Manager, Google Kenya; Art Curator, Angel Investor, Farmer
