NAIROBI, Kenya- Have you ever been at a networking event, spotted someone you wanted to meet, but just couldn’t find the right moment to connect?
Kenyan startup Linkarp thinks that opportunity shouldn’t go to waste. With its innovative event management platform, Linkarp is making virtual and in-person networking easier, more efficient, and surprisingly engaging, for corporate and creative events alike.
Founded by lawyer Gerald Kiti and full-stack developer Kevin Kimaru, Linkarp is redefining how attendees connect at events.
The platform, launched earlier this year, lets users view event attendees, speakers, and emcees, making it simple to reach out directly without awkward introductions.
By creating an account and filling out details like profession and interests, users can access a list of upcoming events.
Once they check in for an event, they can see profiles of other attendees and initiate conversations on the app, effectively extending networking beyond the physical event.
Event organizers can set ticket prices through Linkarp, which charges a convenience fee similar to online ticketing platforms.
Alternatively, organizers may pass this fee to attendees, often at a modest cost. Inspired by popular networking platforms like Brella, Linkarp stands out by adding unique features that resonate locally.
But Linkarp’s magic isn’t limited to networking—it also brings a whole new dimension with its ‘Gifts’ feature.
Attendees can reward speakers, emcees, or artists they enjoy through virtual ‘handclaps’ or ‘handshakes’—small gifts that carry monetary value and are billed directly from an M-Pesa account.
Each user has a profile QR code and a virtual wallet where these rewards accumulate, with funds redeemable as cash directly to M-Pesa.
Kiti shares that this feature is aimed at promoting Kenya’s growing gifting and tipping culture and is particularly popular in entertainment settings.
“One doesn’t even need to be at the event to tip,” Kiti says. “It opens up a social side to our platform, and we think this will be popular with local users.”
Taking networking a step further, Linkarp has also experimented with an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to match attendees based on their LinkedIn profiles. This optional feature groups users with like-minded people in networking rooms and other event experiences.
Though still in testing, the feature aims to streamline networking by connecting users with people relevant to their professional and personal interests.
Plans are also underway to integrate card payments for the gifting service, making it even more accessible across East Africa.
“Linkarp is powering corporate networking and supporting the creative economy,” Kiti says, adding that their goal is to provide a platform where live performers, content creators, and even waiters can be tipped in an easy, efficient way.
With ambitious plans for the future, Linkarp could very well become a cornerstone in Africa’s evolving event and creative industries.
