ZeroBionic, a Kenyan startup, has been selected among 10 other innovators for the Qualcomm’s 2026 Make in Africa Mentorship Cohort.
In a press release by the Qualcomm, the Kenyan startup ZeroBionic is known for developing assistive robotics solutions designed to enhance independence and inclusion for persons with disabilities.
The innovation, according to Qualcomm, addresses the critical need for accessible technology both in Kenya and across the continent.
The selection of the innovators in the Cohort was based on over 1,200 applications submitted from more than 45 African countries.
Other startups selected alongside the ZeroBionic for the 2026 cohort represent countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, working across sectors such as agriculture, water access, and electricity.
“This year’s Cohort was selected from over 1,200 applications across more than 45 African countries. The inclusion of a Kenyan startup in this year’s Cohort reinforces our position as a leading hub for technology and innovation in Africa, with local entrepreneurs increasingly building solutions that address real-world challenges in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and smart infrastructure,” part of the press release read.
According to Qualcomm, participants in the program will receive hands-on mentorship, engineering consultation, and access to tools that support product development.
In addition, the participants will be able to commercialize their innovations more effectively, benefiting from the intellectual property support and training offered.
Startups will also be eligible for funding opportunities through Qualcomm’s social impact initiatives, as well as $5,000 stipends and support for patent filing, according to Qualcomm.
Senior Vice President and President, Middle East and Africa at Qualcomm, Wassim Chourbaji, stated that the quality of the Cohort reflected the rapid growth of Africa’s innovation ecosystem.”
“The quality and ambition of this year’s Cohort reflect the rapid growth of Africa’s innovation ecosystem. Startups across the continent, including Kenya, are leveraging advanced technologies to develop impactful, scalable solutions. We are proud to support this next generation of innovators as they move from concept to real-world application.” Wassim commented.
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Qualcomm Make in Africa program 2026 cohort
- Amperra Charging Company (Namibia): AI-driven, grid-adaptive smart EV charging platform designed to enable scalable electric mobility across Africa
- Anastar Ltd (Nigeria): Integrated digital poultry management system that improves productivity, health tracking, and farm efficiency
- D-Olivette Labs (Nigeria): Bio-intelligence platform delivering data-driven insights for sustainable and efficient agricultural production
- Mindora Corporation (Zimbabwe): Braille keyboard solution that improves digital accessibility for visually impaired users
- MVUTU (Republic of the Congo): Solar-powered IoT cold storage solution that reduces post-harvest losses for smallholder farmers.
- QualiKeeper Investments Ltd (Zambia): Affordable AIoT livestock monitoring system designed for low-connectivity rural environments
- SafeSip (Tanzania): Smart water access and monitoring solution that ensures safe, reliable drinking water in urban and peri-urban areas
- Sesi Technologies Ltd (Ghana): AI-powered field device that enables early cocoa quality assessment and transparent supply chains
- TWave Ltd (Uganda): Automated, solar-powered fish feeding system that optimizes aquaculture productivity
- ZeroBionic (Kenya): Assistive robotics solutions designed to enhance inclusion and independence for persons with disabilities.
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About Qualcomm
Now in its fourth year, the Qualcomm Make in Africa program is part of the Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform, which supports early-stage startups developing transformative technologies, including artificial intelligence, smart systems, and connected solutions.
The initiative provides mentorship, business training, technical guidance, and intellectual property support to help startups scale their innovations.
About Arduino
Arduino is a Qualcomm company, a leading open-source hardware and software provider, and an accessible platform for creating interactive projects.
With an estimated 33 million active users, the Arduino ecosystem has expanded over 20 years to address new demands and challenges, offering products for IoT, wearables, 3D printing, and embedded environments.
