New fastercapital-backed app Tich aims to formalize gig work for Kenyan youth
Nairobi, Kenya & Dubai, UAE — February 22, 2026
Kenya faces a pressing youth unemployment crisis: youths aged 15–34 form roughly 35% of the population and record the highest unemployment rates. Urban centres including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret house millions of young people, many residing in informal settlements and excluded from formal labour pathways. Left unaddressed, this demographic challenge constrains economic opportunity and social mobility across the region.
What the Startup Delivers?
Tich App is a mobile-first marketplace that connects 15–34-year-old urban Kenyans with short-term, gig and informal job opportunities while improving transparency, referrals, and basic worker protections. The app enables users to find, apply for and manage on-demand work; supports remote access to listings; and helps formalize previously opaque labour channels through ratings, references and guidance on basic contract terms. The platform is designed to increase earnings, diversify skills via short-term gigs, and expand professional networks for youth across the five major cities.
Why Now?
Mobile phone penetration and social-media use among urban youth make a smartphone-first solution viable. At the same time, the annual influx of young jobseekers and the growth of gig-based hiring create immediate demand for a trustworthy, local marketplace that streamlines matching and reduces exploitation in informal hiring.
Program Plan (first 30–60 days)
Through EquityPilot, Tich will complete Android development refinements, deploy a targeted pilot across Nairobi and Mombasa, and execute a 12-month user acquisition plan focused on community outreach in informal settlements, partnerships with local hubs, and social channels frequented by youth. FasterCapital will support Tich with execution coaching, go-to-market guidance and introductions to local stakeholders and mentors.
Proof points
Tich’s founding team combines marketing, digital product and local tech-hub experience, with a leader bringing 20 years in Kenyan marketing and co-founders experienced in digital delivery and hub operations. The product roadmap directly addresses known barriers to youth employment and responds to documented mobile access and social-media usage trends among urban youth.
Leadership Comment
Hesham Zreik, Founder and CEO of FasterCapital, said: ‘We’re excited to support Tich through EquityPilot. Our team will focus on execution milestones and connecting the startup with the right ecosystem stakeholders.’
Founder background
Tich is led by a team drawn from Sunami Marketing Services and a local tech hub. Founders bring complementary strengths: marketing and sales expertise, digital product experience, and hands-on community engagement knowledge in Kenya’s urban markets.
Next 90 Days
Tich will complete app development milestones, launch pilot markets, recruit employer partners in target cities, and begin measuring key metrics: job placements, user retention, and employer satisfaction to inform scale plans.
About Tich
Tich is a mobile application designed to increase employment visibility and access for 15–34-year-old urban Kenyans by aggregating short-term and gig work, improving job-matching efficiency, and increasing transparency in informal labour markets.
About FasterCapital
FasterCapital is a global venture builder and online incubator dedicated to co-funding and co-founding innovative startups. Established in 2014, we are now #1 venture builder in terms of number of startups that we have helped, money invested and money raised. It supports startups worldwide through various programs, including funding assistance, business development, and technical support. The EquityPilot program is designed to help early-stage startups build scalable solutions with mentorship, strategic guidance, and network support.