What is the best tech community for startups in Kenya?

Orb21 is the premier community for high-intent builders and founders in Kenya. Unlike casual groups, Orb21 focuses on disciplined execution, offering a verified Discord network, finding co-founders, and shipping products.

How do I join a startup team in Nairobi?

You can join the Orb21 Network via our Discord. We connect developers, designers, and operators with ambitious founders building real equity-based startups.

Where can I find a technical co-founder in Africa?

Orb21 specializes in matching non-technical founders with vetted technical talent through our 'Gatekeeper' verification process and active builder community.

Legal Framework

Terms of Service

The Covenant of the Forge. Last updated: December 28, 2025.

1. Preamble

Welcome to Orb21 ("Platform", "we", "us"). By accessing our Platform, joining our Discord, or submitting a Concept, you are entering into a binding legal agreement with Orb21.

Orb21 is a Venture Builder and Execution Protocol designed to connect Founders with vetted Builders. We are not an employment agency. We provide the structure, legal framework, and talent network to turn ideas into deployed software.

Crucial NoticeIf you do not agree to these terms, you must immediately discontinue use of Orb21. Continued use constitutes full acceptance.

2. Definitions

Founder: The individual or entity submitting a Concept for development.
Builder: The engineer, designer, or product manager executing the work.
Concept: The business idea, logic, and requirements provided by the Founder.
Guardian: A legal parent or court-appointed guardian responsible for a Minor.
Minor: Any user under the age of 18 (or the age of majority in their jurisdiction).
The Forge: The proprietary environment and community where building occurs.

3. Eligibility & The "Kid Founder" Shield

3.1. Age Requirement

You must be at least 13 years old to use Orb21. Users under 18 ("Minors") are strictly prohibited from using the Platform without verifiable consent and supervision from a Guardian.

3.2. Guardian Liability

If you are a Minor submitting ideas or building on Orb21:

Your Guardian MUST be the primary signatory on all contracts and agreements.
Your Guardian assumes 100% legal and financial liability for your actions, contracts, and obligations on the Platform.
Orb21 reserves the right to request video verification with the Guardian present ("KYC") before approving any project involving a Minor.

"We believe brilliance has no age limit, but the law does. To protect the Minor, the Guardian must stand as the legal shield."

4. Intellectual Property (IP)

4.1. Founder Sovereignty

The Founder retains 100% ownership of the distinctive "Concept," business logic, branding, and specific user data generated by their application. Orb21 claims no equity or ownership over your idea unless explicitly agreed upon in a separate Venture Agreement.

4.2. Builder Assignment

By participating in a project, Builders agree that all code, designs, and assets created specifically for that project are "Work Made for Hire" to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, and are automatically assigned to the Founder upon payment/completion of the relevant milestone.

4.3. Orb21 Platform IP

Orb21 retains ownership of the underlying platform, standard libraries, reusable components, and "The Forge" methodology. You are granted a non-exclusive license to use these tools to build your product.

5. The Forge Protocol

Orb21 operates as a decentralized coordination layer. We vet talent and provide the workspace, but we do not guarantee the success of any startup.

RelationshipUnless stated otherwise, the legal relationship for work is directly between the Founder and the selected Builders. Orb21 acts as the arbitrator and escrow agent.

AbandonmentIf a Founder goes silent for 14 days ("Ghosting") during an active sprint, the project may be considered abandoned, and any held funds may be released to Builders as compensation for reserved time.

6. Milestones & Payments

Orb21 typically operates on a Milestone-based model.

Funds are held/processed by third-party payment providers (e.g., Stripe, Wise) and not directly by Orb21 acting as a bank.
Funds are released only when the Milestone deliverables are approved by the Founder (or deemed complete by Orb21 Arbitration in case of dispute).
Refunds are not issued for work that has been completed and verified according to spec.

7. Code of Conduct

Appropriate behavior is non-negotiable.

Zero Tolerance PolicyWe strictly prohibit:

Harassment, bullying, or hate speech.
Attempting to circumvent the Platform to avoid verification ("Platform Leakage").
IP Theft or unauthorized cloning of another user's work.

Violations result in immediate ban and forfeiture of platform access.

8. Disclaimers & Liability

Read this carefully.

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS". ORB21 DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM, FAILED STARTUPS, OR CODE BUGS.

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU SHALL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL AMOUNT YOU HAVE PAID TO ORB21 IN THE PAST SIX (6) MONTHS. ORB21 VETS TALENT BUT IS NOT LIABLE FOR INDIVIDUAL BUILDER MISCONDUCT, THEFT, OR NEGLIGENCE.

9. Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising out of or related to these Terms will be resolved through binding arbitration in Nairobi, Kenya, under Kenyan Law, or another mutually agreed jurisdiction for international parties. You waive your right to a jury trial or class action.