Mathenge Waweru
Summary
Dynamic founder, product leader, and software engineer with extensive expertise in developing innovative, venture-backed fintech solutions for Africa's hospitality and tourism sectors. Proven track record in guiding products from initial concept through customer validation, achieving product-market fit, securing funding, and driving operational growth across the region. Currently leading Thenks, which has successfully processed over $250K in guest payments across more than 66 hospitality properties in East Africa, benefiting over 1,700 hospitality workers. His strong foundations in product management, payments, compliance, and operational leadership demonstrate a commitment to transforming the industry landscape.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder & CEO
Thenks
Nairobi, Kenya
10.2025 - Current
- Building the financial platform for African tourism, enabling guests to tip staff, pay merchants, and donate through one payments platform.
- Processed over $250K in guest payments across more than 66 hospitality properties with over 1,700 hospitality workers as recipients.
- Leading company strategy, product management, fundraising, partnerships, compliance, engineering, and customer success.
- Expanded operations across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania with Zambia pipeline underway.
- Designed payment infrastructure integrating international payments processors like Stripe to local rails like mobile money through local payments partners
Entrepreneur in Residence
Antler
Nairobi
04.2026 - 06.2026
- Engaged in Antler's venture-building residency in Nairobi, collaborating with selected peers.
- Conducted customer discovery and market validation to inform venture design and prepare for investment.
- Collaborated with founders, operators and Antler partners to refine and optimize venture strategy.
- Advanced through Phase 1 and Phase 2 to the Investment Committee.
Chief Operating Officer
Azizi Africa
06.2025 - 12.2025
- Led operations, logistics, warehousing, and technology implementation to enhance service delivery.
- Developed SOPs, reporting systems, and operational processes to standardize operations.
- Managed AI voice platform projects for businesses in Africa to improve client engagement.
Co-founder & Product Lead
Shukran
08.2021 - 03.2025
- Built one of Kenya's leading hospitality fintech platforms from zero to commercial scale.
- Scaled to 80+ hospitality partners including luxury safari lodges.
- Processed over $250K in digital tips benefiting 1,400 hospitality workers.
- Raised $150K in venture funding.
- Represented the company at the Entrepreneurship World Cup Top 100 (16,000+ applicants).
- Led product roadmap, engineering, customer discovery, GTM, compliance and fundraising.
Product Development Fellow
Impact Africa Network
02.2021 - 03.2025
- Developed blockchain community initiatives and coordinated Stellar Foundation-backed hackathon.
- Facilitated networking events connecting startups with venture builders.
- Incubated Shukran from concept to successful launch.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Informatics & Computer Science
Strathmore University
Nairobi, Kenya09-2021
Skills
- Product Management
- Fintech
- Payment Systems
- Fundraising
- Business Development
- Venture Building
- AI Product Development
- Data Analysis
- Backend Development
- User Interface Design
- Cloud Infrastructure
- Container Management
- Stripe
- M-PESA
- Leadership
- Operations
Selected Achievements
- Select Top 100 startups out of 16,000 in the Entrepreneurship World Cup Top 100 (2024)
- Led Enactus Strathmore to win Enactus Kenya National (2020)
- Raised $150K in venture funding at Shukran
- Select 16 startups for Antler Nairobi Cohort 14 out of 8,000 startups
- Built products processing more than $480K in combined payment volume across ventures.
Timeline
Entrepreneur in Residence
Antler
04.2026 - 06.2026
Founder & CEO
Thenks
10.2025 - Current
Chief Operating Officer
Azizi Africa
06.2025 - 12.2025
Co-founder & Product Lead
Shukran
08.2021 - 03.2025
Product Development Fellow
Impact Africa Network
02.2021 - 03.2025
Bachelor of Science - Informatics & Computer Science
Strathmore University