Mwangi Kariuki, the co-founder of Andishi, on February 16, 2025 in Nairobi. Andishi is a platform connecting businesses with skilled developers through an academy and talent marketplace.
As tech professionals become increasingly scarce, companies are facing the urgent challenge of finding qualified candidates in order to maintain their competitive edge. Despite the greater need for top-tier developers than ever before, locating the right talent remains a difficult, expensive and often ineffective process.
This is particularly evident for businesses scaling up globally, where lengthy hiring processes and inefficiencies often lead to missed opportunities.
Andishi is revolutionising recruitment by combining an in-house academy with a talent marketplace. This innovative approach bridges the gap between businesses and skilled developers, offering a seamless solution that helps companies access, onboard, and integrate top-tier talent faster and more efficiently.
The in-house academy nurtures, trains and prepares talent to meet the specific needs of global enterprises. With a curated talent pool and a streamlined onboarding process, businesses can access a wealth of expertise ready to drive innovation.
Founded by Mwangi Kariuki and Parker Kim – from the US – the platform was created to address the divide between tech talent in emerging economies and businesses worldwide.
"While companies, especially in North America and Europe, were struggling to find quality remote talent, talented developers were being overlooked by traditional hiring platforms. We bridge this gap," Mwangi explains.
He says that they serve as both a hiring tool and as a talent accelerator by discovering, nurturing, and matching high-performing professionals with the right opportunities. They do this by integrating mentorship, real-world projects, and career support to help them thrive.
Mwangi Kariuki with a student on February 16, 2025 in Nairobi.
Andishi’s platform uses advanced vetting algorithms to provide curated recommendations from a pool of verified, skilled tech professionals.
Once a client selects their ideal candidate, the onboarding process is efficient and seamless, maximising productivity and enabling businesses to focus on their goals.
“We take care of the logistics, team integration, and setup. Our streamlined process enables businesses to integrate skilled developers within days, so they can scale quickly without the delays typically associated with traditional hiring methods,” he notes.
Since its launch, the platform has raised Sh500,000 to expand training opportunities for tech professionals in developing countries. This has enabled around 100 developers to access global opportunities that would otherwise have been unavailable to them.
The platform gives businesses access to a curated pool of developers at a cost of Sh250,000 ($2,500) per developer, ensuring that businesses receive top-tier talent at a fair price while developers are well compensated for their expertise.
The academy and the talent marketplace work together to provide a comprehensive solution. Developers receive hands-on training and learn industry best practices to ensure they are job-ready. As they enter the marketplace, they are connected with businesses requiring remote talent, thereby bridging skill gaps and creating valuable career opportunities.
The platform simplifies the hiring process, ensuring efficiency and a personalised approach.
The process begins with the submission of project requirements, whether for a single developer, an entire team, or long-term collaboration. Candidates are then matched from a vetted pool based on the project's scope and the necessary technical expertise.
According to Mwangi, clients then review the shortlisted candidates, conduct interviews and assess skills, all with full transparency. This approach eliminates the complexities of hiring by offering pre-vetted talent that is ready to deploy, while providing developers with the opportunity to thrive in global roles.
“Businesses often struggle to find developers who are both technically proficient and a good cultural fit. Traditional hiring methods can be slow, costly, and unreliable. We solve this by pre-screening, upskilling, and matching talent based on specific project needs, ensuring businesses receive developers who are ready to contribute immediately,” he explains.
Mwangi Kariuki on February 16, 2025 in Nairobi.
This hybrid approach combines advanced technology with a human touch to ensure that businesses recruit the right talent rather than the first available candidate.
The system evaluates candidates based on technical skills, problem-solving ability, and experience, taking into account factors such as code quality, soft skills, and industry expertise.
“However, we do not rely solely on algorithms, every match is reviewed by our team to ensure it aligns with the client’s specific needs.”
The platform’s process is designed to integrate developers quickly, ensuring they have an immediate impact.
“We start with pre-onboarding prep, providing the necessary tools, credentials, and project documentation. An integration kickoff follows to synchronise expectations, workflows, and communication channels between the developer and the business,” Mwangi explains.
“The first few weeks focus on immersing the developer in the team’s culture, tools, and methodologies. Ongoing support ensures a smooth transition, allowing businesses to focus on results, not operational hurdles.”
Their innovative matching system provides businesses with a faster, more efficient way to connect with top-tier talent, reducing the back-and-forth typically involved in the hiring process.
“Once a candidate is selected, we manage everything from logistics to team integration. For companies expanding globally, speed is crucial. Our process allows businesses to integrate skilled developers within days, enabling them to grow rapidly without the delays that often slow down traditional hiring methods,” he says.
Mwangi explains that maintaining a high-quality talent pool is central to their success, particularly when sourcing developers from emerging markets.
Andishi rigorously vets candidates through a multi-step process involving technical assessments, real-world project evaluations and soft skills testing. This ensures that, regardless of their background, developers meet the high standards required by global enterprises.
They also provide continuous mentorship and upskilling opportunities to keep their talent job-ready and prepared for the challenges of global projects.
The academy’s three-month programme transforms aspiring developers into globally competitive professionals. It covers foundational programming skills and specialisation in areas such as full-stack development and DevOps. The programme concludes with an internship, offering hands-on experience through real-world client projects.
This well-rounded approach ensures that, by the end of the programme, graduates are fully prepared to contribute to and thrive in global tech teams.
“Our academy focuses on both technical competence and preparing developers for the demands of global enterprises. We emphasise industry-relevant skills, including modern frameworks and tools, while also cultivating essential soft skills like remote collaboration, agile practices, and communication,” he says.
Through project-based learning and internships, graduates gain real-world experience, enabling them to transition seamlessly into professional roles. This approach prepares developers to excel in fast-paced, distributed work environments, positioning them as valuable contributors to global teams.
The platform is being revamped to create a more intuitive, all-in-one experience that streamlines communication, project management, and service access for both businesses and talent.
As demand for tech talent grows, maintaining quality is a priority. Andishi will refine its vetting process by combining advanced algorithms with thorough interviews to ensure only the best talent is selected.
“We will expand our training programmes and form strategic partnerships with global educational institutions. Automation tools will further improve efficiency while maintaining a personalised experience at scale,” he concludes.
