Sinapis Group
Sinapis Group is a US-registered 501(c)(3) faith-based business accelerator headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, running tiered entrepreneur training and mentorship programs (Aspire Launchpad, Entrepreneur Academy, Fast Track, Ascent) for early- and growth-stage founders across 16+ frontier-market countries via direct delivery and network partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersNairobi, Kenya
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Sinapis Group does
Sinapis Group is a US-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and faith-based business accelerator founded in 2010 (firmographics) / 2015 (history) with operational headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Its name derives from the Latin word for mustard seed, and it serves early- and growth-stage "kingdom entrepreneurs" who want to scale businesses grounded in Christian ethical principles. The organization runs a tiered program portfolio: Aspire Launchpad (10-week startup accelerator for idea-stage founders), the Entrepreneur Academy (a 4-month intensive training MBA-equivalent), the Fast Track Accelerator and Ascent (6-month mentorship and advisory for growth-stage founders), plus modular 4-6 week Short Courses (Sales & Marketing, Finance, HR & Leadership, Kingdom Business), topical Workshops, an annual Business Competition awarding grant capital, and ongoing alumni coaching.
Sinapis does not sell software and has no proprietary technology platform; its core assets are the co-developed curriculum with Co.Starters, a proprietary "Kingdom Business Framework" integrating discipleship and anti-corruption content, and a bench of locally trained facilitators. Delivery combines direct in-person cohort training in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda with a network-partner licensing model that has placed the Aspire Launchpad curriculum in 16+ countries including Mongolia (ALDN), Mexico (CMF International), Mozambique (Equip), and Cameroon (CBMC Africa). Reported impact includes 16,328 new jobs created by graduates, 519,020 lives economically impacted, 138% average revenue growth one year after graduation, and 69% of graduates still in business three years later.
Revenue is donation- and grant-based rather than tuition-based; tuition is heavily subsidized through a pre-built scholarship model funded by Sinapis, Co.Starters, and individual donors. Institutional donor support disclosed in inputs includes UK Aid's £5 million deployment into Kenyan entrepreneurs, a multi-year GIZ / European Union "GoBlue NOW" coastal Kenya commitment that trained 573 entrepreneurs, and partnerships with Compassion International, KCJF, Village Capital, and the Cherie Blair Foundation / DHL Express HerVenture initiative. Leadership identified across sources includes Executive Director and Co-founder Courtney Mills, Uganda Country Director Juliet Kasiita, and Coastal Program Manager Robert Wahome. Sinapis holds ECFA accreditation, a Candid/GuideStar transparency seal, and EIG Certified Transparent status.
Sinapis Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sinapis Group
- Legal name
- Sinapis
- Website
- https://sinapis.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Sinapis Group is a US-registered 501(c)(3) faith-based business accelerator headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, running tiered entrepreneur training and mentorship programs (Aspire Launchpad, Entrepreneur Academy, Fast Track, Ascent) for early- and growth-stage founders across 16+ frontier-market countries via direct delivery and network partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sinapis Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Entrepreneurship Accelerator / Startup Training Services
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs (EDAMAKAK), Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days) (EDAMAHAB), Marketing, Branding & Sales Skills (EDAMAHAG), Financial Literacy, Budgeting & Personal Finance (EDAMAHAE)
Keywords
Where Sinapis Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nairobi
- HQ country
- Kenya
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices8 records
Markets served
Sinapis Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Sinapis operates as a faith-based nonprofit organization that relies primarily on donations from individuals, churches, and foundations who share their vision of alleviating poverty through kingdom entrepreneurship. The organization mentions EIG Certified Transparent, ECFA Accredited, and Candid seals indicating compliance with nonprofit standards.
- Program Tuition with Pre-built Scholarships: Tuition fees for accelerator programs are subsidized through Sinapis' pre-built scholarship model, with Co.Starters and generous donors helping make training affordable for startup entrepreneurs. Grant capital is also awarded to participants through pitch competitions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Aspire Launchpad - 10-week startup accelerator for idea and early-stage entrepreneurs |
| Subscription | Annual | Entrepreneur Academy - 16-week intensive business training program |
| Subscription | Annual | Short Courses - 4 to 6-week targeted training modules |
| Subscription | Annual | Fast Track Accelerator - 6-month advanced program for growth-stage entrepreneurs |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Sinapis Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sinapis Group runs a portfolio of cohort-based entrepreneurship accelerator and training programs for faith-driven founders in frontier markets, including Aspire Launchpad (10-week startup accelerator), Entrepreneur Academy (16-week intensive), Fast Track Accelerator (6-month advanced), Ascent (growth-stage advising), Short Courses, and Workshops. Programs blend practical business training with biblical/Kingdom Business principles, delivered via in-person sessions, peer accountability, mentorship, alumni community, and pitch competitions for grant capital. Tuition is heavily subsidized through scholarships and donor/partnership funding.
Product overview
Sinapis Group offers a faith-driven entrepreneurship accelerator with multiple tiered programs designed for entrepreneurs at different stages. The core portfolio includes Aspire Launchpad (10-week startup accelerator for early-stage entrepreneurs), Entrepreneur Academy (4-month intensive training program), Fast Track Accelerator (6-month mentorship for growth-stage businesses), and Ascent (growth-stage advising). Additional offerings include Short Courses (4-6 week targeted modules in Sales & Marketing, Finance, HR & Leadership, and Kingdom Business), Workshops (topic-specific training sessions), Business Competition (pitch competition for grant capital), and ongoing Coaching/Alumni support. All programs integrate biblical principles with business development and are delivered through live, in-person interactive sessions with mentorship and peer learning components.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Aspire Launchpad A 10-week startup accelerator for select early-stage entrepreneurs, helping define and develop a clear path to building a scalable business model while integrating faith into the business through live, in-person, interactive sessions developed in partnership with Co.Starters.
- Entrepreneur Academy A 16-week (described as 4-month in source) intensive business training program offering MBA-level knowledge covering customer development, financial management, sales, marketing, HR, and Kingdom Business Framework, with scholarships making tuition affordable.
- Fast Track Accelerator A 6-month advanced accelerator program for growth-stage entrepreneurs providing one-on-one mentorship from industry experts, advisory services, and connections to aligned investors.
- Ascent A growth-stage training and advising program for entrepreneurs who have moved past early stages, offering mentorship and advisory services from industry experts and connections to aligned investors.
- Short Courses 4- to 6-week targeted training courses drawn from the Entrepreneur Academy curriculum, covering Sales & Marketing (6 weeks), Finance (6 weeks), HR & Leadership (4 weeks), and Kingdom Business (5 weeks), with subsidized tuition.
- Workshops Throughout-the-year workshops offering targeted training and a taste of the Entrepreneur Academy and Aspire programs, with past topics including cash flow management, investor readiness, fighting marketplace corruption, and customer development.
- Business Competition Annual pitch competition in Uganda (UGX 37M prize) and Kenya where graduates present their businesses for a chance to win grant capital and seed funding to grow their businesses.
Quantifiable outcome
- 16,328 new jobs created by Sinapis graduates
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Sinapis Group
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sinapis Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Sinapis Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Co.StarterscoreCo.Starters co-developed the Aspire Launchpad curriculum with Sinapis. The program uses Co.Starters' discussion-based process for refining business ideas with peers, tailored with local case studies.
- Compassion InternationalcoreSinapis partners with Compassion International to train young entrepreneurs in Kenya, integrating faith-based business principles with Compassion's child sponsorship programs.
- CMF InternationalcoreCMF International partnered with Sinapis to launch programs in Mexico City, delivering Aspire Launchpad training to Mexican entrepreneurs.
- ALDN (Mongolia)coreALDN is Sinapis Network Partner delivering Aspire Launchpad programs in Mongolia. ALDN graduated its first Aspire class and participated in the FORGE Global Summit.
- Equip MozambiquecoreSinapis Network Partner in Mozambique, collaborating with Bluefields of Brazil to deliver Entrepreneur Academy and other training programs.
- CBMC AfricacoreChristian Business Men's Connection Africa partners with Sinapis to deliver Christ-centered entrepreneurship training in Cameroon.
- Cherie Blair Foundation for WomenminorPartnered with DHL Express and Sinapis on HerVenture App initiative to bring training and skills to over 3,500 women entrepreneurs in Kenya.
- DHL ExpressminorPartnered with Cherie Blair Foundation and Sinapis on HerVenture App program supporting women entrepreneurs in Kenya.
- Bluefields of BrazilminorBluefields of Brazil collaborates with Equip Mozambique (Sinapis Network Partner) on cross-border entrepreneurship training and curriculum exchange.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sinapis Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Kiva: Large-scale nonprofit microlending platform that provides capital to underserved entrepreneurs globally, including in East Africa. Comparable as a faith-adjacent, mission-driven nonprofit serving the same entrepreneur segment, though Kiva's offering is financial capital rather than training.
Direct peers
- TechnoServe: Nonprofit that helps entrepreneurial enterprises in developing countries, with major programs across East Africa. Comparable to Sinapis in mission (poverty alleviation via business), African footprint, and training/coaching model.
- Endeavor: Global nonprofit that selects and supports high-impact entrepreneurs through mentorship, networking, and access to capital. Like Sinapis, Endeavor runs cohort-based accelerators and operates in frontier markets including East Africa, with overlapping entrepreneur-support methodology.
- Ashoka: Global network supporting leading social entrepreneurs with fellowships, training, and ecosystem support. Comparable as a nonprofit entrepreneur-support platform with global footprint and influencer fundraising.
- Acumen Academy: Nonprofit combining impact investing with entrepreneurship training for poverty-focused founders in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. Shares Sinapis's training-plus-capital model and frontier-market orientation.
- Co.Starters: Curriculum provider for the Aspire Launchpad program and a wider network of facilitators running cohort-based entrepreneurship incubators. Comparable as a cohort-driven entrepreneurship training model with discussion-based methodology.
- Cherie Blair Foundation for Women: Foundation supporting women entrepreneurs in developing countries, including via mobile learning tools. Already an active partner of Sinapis on the HerVenture App; directly comparable mission and target segment.
- African Management Institute (AMI): Business and management training provider serving entrepreneurs and SMEs across East and West Africa. Comparable as a training-driven nonprofit serving similar frontier-market entrepreneurs with similar subject matter.
- Village Capital: Impact-focused, peer-driven investment readiness and accelerator program for entrepreneurs in developing economies. Already partnered with Sinapis on the Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship Africa Initiative; directly comparable cohort/support model.
Others
- Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE): Member network of organizations supporting SMEs in developing countries. While not an accelerator itself, ANDE is comparable as the broader ecosystem that includes Sinapis and similar entrepreneur-support nonprofits operating in frontier markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sinapis Group social profiles
Digital presenceSinapis Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Sinapis Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sinapis Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Sinapis Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sinapis Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sinapis Group
What does Sinapis Group do?
Sinapis Group runs a portfolio of cohort-based entrepreneurship accelerator and training programs for faith-driven founders in frontier markets, including Aspire Launchpad (10-week startup accelerator), Entrepreneur Academy (16-week intensive), Fast Track Accelerator (6-month advanced), Ascent (growth-stage advising), Short Courses, and Workshops. Programs blend practical business training with biblical/Kingdom Business principles, delivered via in-person sessions, peer accountability, mentorship, alumni community, and pitch competitions for grant capital. Tuition is heavily subsidized through scholarships and donor/partnership funding.
Is Sinapis Group a public or private company?
Sinapis Group is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Sinapis Group founded?
Sinapis Group was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Sinapis Group based?
Sinapis Group is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, in the Africa region.
How does Sinapis Group make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are program Tuition with Pre-built Scholarships.
Who are Sinapis Group's main competitors?
Kiva is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are TechnoServe, Endeavor, Ashoka, Acumen Academy, Co.Starters, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, African Management Institute (AMI) and Village Capital. Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) is listed as an others.
Does Sinapis Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sinapis Group.
What industry is Sinapis Group in?
Sinapis Group's product category is Entrepreneurship Accelerator / Startup Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAHAC, Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators, with a secondary code of EDAMAKAK, Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs. Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.