Ndeza Collective

We’re thrilled to announce that Braiding Nairobi has been featured in Reuters! 🌍✨ The article highlights how our app is transforming the hair braiding industry in Kenya, providing a platform for talented braiders like Esther Mulandi, who shared, 'In this app, everything is convenient -- the prices, the style, the client needs. For me, it's working and growing very fast.' At Braiding Nairobi, we’re committed to empowering Kenyan women in the beauty industry by bridging the digital gender gap. Our platform connects skilled braiders with customers, offering them the opportunity to grow their businesses, increase their earnings, and achieve economic independence. This feature shines a light on our mission to make hair braiding more accessible, safe, and reliable for all. Thank you, Reuters, for capturing our story and the impact we hope to make. Read the full article to learn more about how we’re using technology to revolutionize the beauty industry in Kenya! 💼💇🏾♀️ https://lnkd.in/ew56r2_S #BraidingNairobi #ReutersFeature #DigitalEmpowerment #EconomicIndependence #AfricanEntrepreneurship #HairCulture

Ahhh! We are thrilled to announce that the Ndeza Collective has been selected to participate in the Africa Tech Startup Forum Market Access and Acceleration Program! 💜 This fully-funded opportunity, led by CatalyzU, NDARAMA WORKS, and the Korea Startup Forum, will provide us with intensive training and workshops by UVU Africa, B2B matchmaking, investor introductions, and the chance to showcase our project through demo days. The program aims to prepare, train, expose, and connect tech ventures with opportunities, both virtually and in-person, to highlight the exceptional tech innovations emerging from Africa. (Plus, at the end of the program, a few select founders will have the chance to pitch their companies in South Korea!) We're excited to join this vibrant ecosystem of experts from Africa and around the globe, dedicated to nurturing and boosting tech ventures. This platform will help us truly make hair braiding work better for African women through social entrepreneurship, tech, and storytelling. We can’t wait to meet other top startups across the continent, and we're eager to learn, grow, and innovate together. Stay tuned :) This is our first big step, and we can’t wait to see where this opportunity takes us! 💜💜💜 #NdezaCollective #AfricaTechStartupForum #AcceleratorProgram #UVUAfrica #CatalyzU #NDARAMAWORKS #KoreaStartupForum #StartupJourney #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #AfricanStartups #NdezaCollective #BraidingNairobi #AfricanTechStartupForum #AcceleratorProgram #UVUAfrica #StartupJourney #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #AfricanStartups

Hello!!! I am thrilled to announce that after years of research, building, trial, and error, the Ndeza Collective officially launched our app, Braiding Nairobi on May 11th! Braiding Nairobi is now open to the public, offering a convenient solution for hair braiding services in Nairobi, Kenya. Our app connects customers directly with talented hair braiders, allowing users to request services at their preferred locations in real time. We also prioritize storytelling by creating short profiles to introduce select braiders to our customers. If you're in Nairobi, download the app, try our services, and let us know what you think! This journey started as a multimedia storytelling project, funded by the Fulbright Association and the National Geographic Society. Through months of interviews at hair braiding hub Kenyatta Market, I discovered the challenges faced by hair braiders, especially during the pandemic. This inspired the creation of Braiding Nairobi, aiming to empower these incredible women and unlock a 2 billion KES hair braiding market. Hair braiding is not just a service; it's an art form, a cultural identity, and a means of economic empowerment for many women. With Braiding Nairobi, we're "unanonomizing" these talented braiders, giving them a platform to shine, regain their customer base, and continue their craft. Our app also features stories about individual braiders, allowing customers to connect with and support the artists who make their beauty possible. So - I'm so excited to invite you to join us in this exciting new chapter! Download the Braiding Nairobi app from the App Store or Google Play store, and spread the word. Together, we can make a difference and celebrate the power of African women. Thank you for your support!