How to Get Sponsors for a Tech Event in Kenya

To get sponsors for a tech event in Kenya, describe exactly who will attend, build three or four priced packages around what a sponsor gains, and pitch the specific person whose goals your audience serves, at least 10 to 12 weeks before the date. Afterwards, send each sponsor a short report on what they got, because that report wins next year's renewal.

Sponsorship is a sales process, and it gets easier each time you run it. This guide sets out how I would set it up for a meetup, a hackathon or a one-day conference in Nairobi.

What do sponsors pay for at a tech event?

Sponsors pay for access to the people in the room. Most companies that back tech events want one of three things:

• Talent. Firms that hire engineers, designers and data people want to meet them early. Hackathons and developer meetups suit them.
• Customers. Payment companies, banks, cloud providers and software tools want founders and small businesses to use their products. Founder events and workshops suit them.
• Brand. Larger companies and development organisations want to be seen supporting a theme, such as women in tech or climate.

Work out which of the three your event offers best, and lead with it. A talent pitch belongs with a hiring or engineering lead. A customer pitch belongs with marketing or partnerships. A brand pitch usually goes to communications.

What do I need before I contact a sponsor?

• A one-line description of the audience. Who they are, roughly how many, and what they work on.
• Evidence from past events, if you have run any: attendance, photos, a few attendee job titles, and quotes from speakers you have permission to use.
• A confirmed date and venue, or at least a shortlist. Sponsors find it hard to commit to an event with no date.
• A budget. Know what the event costs and how much of it sponsors need to cover.
• A target list of 30 to 50 companies, because most will say no or never reply.

How do I build sponsorship packages?

Start from your budget, then design tiers a finance team can approve. Three or four tiers is plenty:

1. Headline (one slot). Naming rights, an opening speaking slot, top logo placement, a booth and a set number of tickets.
2. Partner (a few slots). A panel seat or workshop, logo placement, a booth and tickets.
3. Supporter. Logo on the event page and a thank-you from the stage, priced for smaller startups.
4. In kind. Food, drinks, prizes, cloud credits or printing in place of cash.

Here is a made-up example of the maths. Say your one-day event costs KES 300,000 for the venue, food, sound and printing. One headline sponsor at KES 150,000 and three partners at KES 50,000 each covers it. Ticket sales then fund extras or your next event. Use your own costs, and price each tier by what it gives the sponsor, which should be easy to list on one line.

How do I pitch a sponsor?

Find the right person on LinkedIn or through someone you both know. A warm introduction usually gets further than a cold email to a general inbox. Keep the first message short:

• Who you are and the event, with the date.
• The one fact about your audience that matters most to them.
• A request for a 15-minute call, with the packages attached.

On the call, ask what their team needs this quarter before you mention packages. Then show how your event helps. If the headline tier is too big, offer a smaller piece, such as sponsoring the hackathon prizes or the food. End with a clear next step and a date.

When should I start looking for sponsors?

Start 10 to 12 weeks before the event at the latest, and earlier for a large conference. Corporate approvals often pass through several people, and many companies plan budgets by quarter or by year. If you run events every year, ask your sponsors when their budget is set and pitch before that date.

Can I share attendee details with sponsors?

Only with consent. Section 37 of Kenya's Data Protection Act, 2019 says personal data may not be used for commercial purposes without the person's express consent, unless a written law allows it (CIPIT, Strathmore University). Add an unticked opt-in box to your registration form that names the sponsors, and share only the details of people who tick it. Sponsors can also collect contacts at their own booth. For more on getting the legal side right early, see our guide to startup legal basics.

What do I owe sponsors after the event?

Deliver everything in the package, then send a short report within a week:

• Final attendance and a breakdown of who came.
• Photos showing their branding and their speaker.
• Posts that mentioned them, with links.
• Opted-in leads, if that was part of the deal.
• One thing you will improve next time.

Then ask about next year while the event is fresh in their minds.

Where can I host a sponsored tech event in Nairobi?

Our hall at 124 Manyani East Road seats up to 140 people, and you can request dates on our book the space page. Communities can list events and sell tickets on community.hackhouse.africa, with attendees paying through Paystack by card or M-Pesa. We have hosted more than 400 events, so you will be working in a room that is used to them.

Key facts

• Sponsors pay for access to your audience, usually for talent, customers or brand.
• Three or four tiers, plus in-kind options, are enough for most events.
• Price packages from your own costs and from what each tier gives the sponsor.
• Start outreach at least 10 to 12 weeks before the event.
• Kenya's Data Protection Act, 2019 requires express consent before personal data is used commercially, so get opt-in before sharing attendee details.
• A post-event report within a week is what brings sponsors back.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I charge for event sponsorship in Kenya?

There is no standard rate. Start from what your event costs, divide it across your tiers, and adjust for audience size and how specific it is. A small, well-defined audience can justify a higher price per head.

Can a first-time event get sponsors?

Yes, though it is harder. Use what you have: speakers who have agreed, a community partner, a waiting list or your own track record in the field. In-kind sponsors such as food or drinks brands are often easier to land first.

Should I sign a contract with a sponsor?

Yes. A one-page agreement listing what the sponsor gets, what they pay, the payment date and what happens if the event moves protects both sides.

What if a sponsor wants a speaking slot?

Offer one where it suits the audience, and ask for the talk outline in advance. A sales pitch from the stage costs you the room's trust, so agree the format early.

Sources

• An Overview of the Kenyan Law on Commercial Use of Personal Data, CIPIT, Strathmore University, checked 5 Nov 2026
• Book the Space, Hackhouse Africa, checked 5 Nov 2026
• Events, Hackhouse Africa, checked 5 Nov 2026

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