Our Unique Mentorship Process
Why Choose Our Mentorship Program?
"To get lost is to learn the way." We’ve navigated the East African startup terrain, from regulatory hurdles to market misalignment. Our mentors provide tailored advice to help you avoid common pitfalls and achieve sustainable growth.
"No one tests the depth of a river with both feet." We customize our mentorship to your unique needs. Our approach ensures that you receive the most relevant and effective support, tailored to your specific challenges and goals.
"It takes a village to raise a child, and a community to build a startup." Leverage our robust network to connect with potential partners, investors, and customers. Our mentors will introduce you to valuable contacts and resources that can propel your startup forward.
"Smooth seas do not make skilful sailors." From strategic planning to emotional encouragement, our mentors provide holistic support to help you stay motivated and focused through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.
Meet Some of Our Mentors
TIRUS WANYOIKE
EDWIN MOINDI
LINDA WANGECHI
RUFUS MWANYASI
KEVIN TUM
AGNES MAKANA
MAUREEN AMAKABANE
JOYCE GITAU
CAROLINE NJUGUNA
DANIEL KAMIRI
Team Lead & Business Strategy Consultant
TIRUS WANYOIKE
“Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.” – African Proverb
Tirus Wanyoike Kamau is a seasoned leader with over 15 years of experience in business strategy, digital transformation, and product development across East Africa. He has worked with renowned firms such as Strathmore University, Business Connexion (BCX), and MetaMap, accumulating deep insights into corporate and entrepreneurial challenges. As the Team Lead and Co-Founder at Advanced Smart Solutions Limited (ASSL), Tirus leverages his experience from multinationals, SMEs, and startups to provide actionable solutions for growth. Having navigated both successes and failures, Tirus understands the daily struggles entrepreneurs face, from securing funding to operational scaling. His empathetic approach, combined with his strategic foresight, enables him to guide businesses through the complexities of the East African market.
Consultant - Leadership & Projects
EDWIN MOINDI
“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” – African Proverb
Edwin Moindi is a versatile consultant with expertise in IT project management, governance, and leadership development. Having worked for PwC, Ernst & Young, and Seven Seas Technologies, Edwin has led both large corporate and entrepreneurial projects. His diverse background, covering both multinationals and startups, equips him with the knowledge and practical insights needed to mentor entrepreneurs. As a consultant at ASSL, Edwin helps startups and scaleups tackle leadership challenges, manage complex projects, and streamline operations. He draws from his personal experiences of overcoming both failures and successes in the East African market, making him a trusted advisor who understands the terrain entrepreneurs face.
Consultant - Marketing & Communications
LINDA WANGECHI
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb
Linda Wangechi has built an impressive career in marketing and communications over the past decade. With experience from firms like Melvin Marsh International, Lapid Leaders Africa, and Transitions and Turns Kenya, she has successfully crafted strategies that drive brand visibility and market penetration. At ASSL, Linda provides startups and scaleups with the tools they need to develop effective marketing and branding strategies, ensuring they stand out in competitive markets. Her journey of both success and failure across corporate and entrepreneurial environments gives her a unique perspective, enabling her to empathize with and guide entrepreneurs facing branding challenges in the East African market.
Consultant - Financial Strategy
RUFUS MWANYASI
“A bird will always use another bird’s feathers to feather its own nest.” – African Proverb
Rufus Mwanyasi is an investment and business strategy expert with over 17 years of experience in capital raising, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. He has worked with Canaan Capital Ltd, Ingot Brokers, and NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies, where he led major financial projects and mentored emerging businesses. As the financial consultant at ASSL, Rufus helps startups and scaleups refine their financial models, secure funding, and develop sustainable business structures. Having faced financial challenges and overcome them, Rufus offers entrepreneurs not just strategic financial advice, but also the resilience needed to succeed in the East African market.
Consultant - Technology & Innovation
KEVIN TUM
“The best way to eat an elephant in your path is to cut him up into little pieces.” – African Proverb
Kevin Tum is a technology specialist with a passion for crafting innovative digital solutions. With experience across multiple roles in firms like Peak & Dale Solutions Ltd, Utafiti International, and Seven Seas Technologies, Kevin has walked the entrepreneurial journey, building web applications and leading UI/UX design projects that bring businesses to life. As the lead technology consultant at ASSL, Kevin is in charge of building scalable, user-centric technology solutions for startups and scaleups. He understands the technical struggles entrepreneurs face—from optimizing workflows to managing complex web development projects—and is committed to breaking down these challenges into achievable milestones. His unique blend of technical expertise and product management makes him a key player in turning business visions into digital realities.
Consultant - Client Happiness & Coordination
AGNES MAKANA
“A happy heart makes the face cheerful.” – African Proverb
Agnes Makana is a customer experience and project coordination specialist with over a decade of experience in client management and operational excellence. Having worked with renowned organizations such as KCCB Seminaries Endowment Fund, Tender Care Dental, and Sinema Sanaa, Agnes has mastered the art of keeping clients happy and ensuring seamless project delivery. At ASSL, she is in charge of ensuring that every client engagement is well-coordinated and that entrepreneurs have the operational support they need to focus on scaling their businesses. Agnes’s journey has taught her the importance of teamwork and collaboration, which she applies in her role by aligning internal teams with the goals of the entrepreneurs ASSL serves. Her experience managing large-scale projects ensures that startups and scaleups have the structures they need to succeed in East Africa’s competitive landscape.
Consultant - Entrepreneurship & Storytelling
MAUREEN AMAKABANE
“Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” – African Proverb
Maureen Amakabane is a passionate entrepreneur and storyteller, dedicated to empowering women and youth by harnessing the power of entrepreneurship and narrative. As the founder of Usafi Sanitation Limited, Nyayo Moms Sokos Limited, and co-founder of Beyond Colors, Maureen has built her entrepreneurial journey by creating impactful businesses and helping others do the same. Her ventures have ranged from sanitation to digital marketplaces, giving her firsthand knowledge of both the challenges and triumphs of building businesses in East Africa.
At ASSL, Maureen is focused on using storytelling to amplify the voices of women entrepreneurs and showcase their journeys. She believes in the power of narratives to transform businesses, offering mentorship, training, and digital literacy programs to equip entrepreneurs with the skills they need to succeed. Maureen has trained over 500 entrepreneurs, helping them build sustainable businesses and creating platforms for their stories to be heard.
Consultant - Sales & Market Expansion
JOYCE GITAU
“You learn how to cut down trees by cutting them down.” – African Proverb
Joyce Gitau is a passionate sales leader with over 9 years of experience driving sales strategies, customer acquisition, and market expansion across FinTech, banking, and trade finance sectors. Joyce has worked with industry leaders such as MetaMap, Flutterwave, and NCBA Bank, where she has consistently exceeded sales targets and closed high-value deals. Her experience ranges from spearheading market entry strategies to building strong client relationships with enterprise B2B customers.
At ASSL, Joyce brings her expertise in sales and business development to help startups and scaleups refine their go-to-market strategies, build strong sales pipelines, and navigate the complexities of client acquisition in the East African market. Having worked with both large corporates and emerging businesses, Joyce understands the daily challenges entrepreneurs face in scaling their operations and is committed to guiding them toward sustainable growth.
Consultant - Project Management & Strategy
CAROLINE NJUGUNA
“He who is being carried does not realize how far the town is.” – African Proverb
Caroline Njuguna is a dynamic project manager and business strategist with over seven years of experience in leading complex projects across the social impact, technology, financial, and start-up sectors. Armed with certifications in project management (PMP) and accounting (CPA-K), Caroline has worked with global organizations such as Purple Elephant Ventures, The World Bank Group, and Mr. Green Africa. Her expertise lies in strategy development, human-centered project management, and scaling operations, making her an invaluable asset to startups and social enterprises seeking to create lasting impact.
At ASSL, Caroline leads high-impact projects, driving operational efficiency and ensuring project success through careful planning, stakeholder management, and innovative problem-solving. Her hands-on experience managing multi-million dollar projects and navigating the challenges of scaling businesses ensures that she can empathize with the struggles of entrepreneurs while providing actionable solutions that drive growth.
Consultant - ICT & Systems Architect
DANIEL KAMIRI
“Wisdom does not come overnight.” – African Proverb
Daniel Kamiri is a seasoned ICT consultant and systems architect with over 15 years of experience designing and implementing mission-critical information management systems across sectors like water and sanitation, education, and agriculture. Having led significant ICT projects for organizations such as Nairobi City Water, World Bank, and WASREB, Daniel is an expert in developing software solutions that streamline operations, enhance service delivery, and improve customer experiences.
At ASSL, Daniel spearheads the development of cutting-edge ICT solutions tailored for startups and scaleups. His deep knowledge of software development, API design, and user experience ensures that businesses not only adopt the right technology but also maximize its potential for growth. Daniel’s extensive background in managing large-scale projects and navigating complex technical environments makes him a valuable mentor for businesses seeking to innovate and scale in East Africa.
Crafting Tomorrow with Precision and Purpose.
Understanding Your Challenges
Running a startup in East Africa comes with its own set of challenges:
“Even the best cooking pot will not produce food.” Many founders struggle to scale operations effectively, leading to missed market opportunities.
“Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.” Misjudging customer needs and local market dynamics can result in product misalignment.
“When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” Navigating the ever-changing political landscape can delay project implementation and increase operational costs.
“A bird will always use another bird’s feathers to feather its own nest.” Standing out in a crowded market is tough, and failure to differentiate can hinder
growth and market penetration.
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Over a Decade of Local Mastery : Our mentors have faced these challenges head-on and come out successful.
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Projects
10 +
Partnerships
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Impact Areas
Success Stories
- Benacare
Venture building from idea to scale-up.
Delivered affordable, high-quality home-based nursing and in-home therapy for
chronically ill patients in Kenya.
- Recess!
Market positioning and continuous support.
Simplified school management and improved communication between
educators and families.
- Gapstack
Single Digital Trade Financing Platform implementation.
Facilitated business access to trade and supply chain finance to expand markets.
- Tech Titan Mentorship
Mentorship for rising female techpreneurs.
Increased diversity in technology and leadership.
- Phillips Pharma System Overhaul
Comprehensive SAP B1 ERP Audit.
Enhanced operational efficiency and strategic alignment across multiple entities.
Book Your First Call Today
Ready to transform your startup? Join our mentorship program and gain access to the expertise, network, and support you need to succeed.
Sign Up Process:
- 1. Initial Consultation
- 2. Assessment and Matching
- 3. Mentorship Kick-off
- 4. Continuous Support and Evaluation
- 5. Scaling and Growth
