Centum arm invests in local IT firm, promises to support innovation

Centum Investment Company limited chief executive officer James Mworia speaks during the release of the company’s financial year ended 31st March 2015 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi on June 17, 2015. Centum Foundation has invested in IT programming firm Bunifu Technologies to enable the local start-up to expand its services. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The foundation did not disclose the amount it has put in but stated that its aim is arming entrepreneurs with ‘“capital, mentorship, access to skilled professionals and our networks.”
• The Centum arm says its aim is to identify, nurture and invest in excellent innovative ideas and businesses with potential for market leadership.
• Bunifu was mooted in 2011 in Baringo County by a team of IT professionals and rolled out its first product, an anti-virus known as the Bunifu Sniper, in 2012.
• Its business portfolio has grown to comprise antimalware, school accounting systems and information security services. It also runs an innovation hub outside Nairobi.

By LILIAN OCHIENG'
More by this Author

Centum Foundation has invested in IT programming firm Bunifu Technologies to enable the local start-up to expand its services.

The foundation did not disclose the amount it has put in but stated that its aim is arming entrepreneurs with ‘“capital, mentorship, access to skilled professionals and our networks.”

The Centum arm says its aim is to identify, nurture and invest in excellent innovative ideas and businesses with potential for market leadership.

“We believe Bunifu to be one such business,” Centum Capital Director Fred Murimi said.

Bunifu was mooted in 2011 in Baringo County by a team of IT professionals and rolled out its first product, an anti-virus known as the Bunifu Sniper, in 2012.

Its business portfolio has grown to comprise antimalware, school accounting systems and information security services. It also runs an innovation hub outside Nairobi.

“Our Journey has been fulfilling from when we began in 2011 with a few novel ideas that have yielded bold products years later. Bunifu antivirus is our flagship product which is the first of its kind to be developed in Africa,” said Mr Wilberforce Segunton, Bunifu team leader.

The anti-virus was recently recognised as the best innovation in the IT services category at the annual Connected Kenya 2016 summit by ICT Authority.

“We want to do our part to drive African growth. Our foundation does that by providing entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, access to skilled professionals and our networks. The foundation leverages Centum’s strengths to support the community and build value,” said Mr Murimi.