Edwin Muigai, Founder & CEO, Mteja.io.

Technology has always been a force of transformation—not just for industries but for the people who dare to push its limits. Some see it as a tool, others as an enigma, but for a select few, it becomes a language they instinctively understand, long before they even realize its full potential. These are the minds that don’t just adapt to change—they create it. They see beyond the circuits and code, recognizing technology’s true power: the ability to connect, empower, and solve problems at scale. One such visionary who has made it his mission to harness technology’s potential, not just to innovate, but to transform the way businesses operate and grow is Edwin Muigai, the Founder & CEO of Mteja.io. 

Edwin’s love for technology started early. When he was just three, his father brought home a massive computer—one that took up a good chunk of their living room. His father didn’t know how to use it but was eager to learn and teach others. But before he could even get started, young Edwin was already getting his hands on it—exploring every key and discovering how to run video games, with Prince of Persia quickly becoming his favorite.

Edwin was captivated by how a few simple keystrokes could open up whole new worlds of adventure, ones he could control. That curiosity turned into a lifelong passion for technology, and it didn’t take long for him to realize just how powerful computers could be—not just for fun, but for learning too. Even as a kid, he was always experimenting, teaching himself new tricks, and pushing the limits of what he could do. Growing up, Edwin kept that same spirit of curiosity and self-learning alive. Whether it was taking apart gadgets just to see how they worked or teaching himself how to code, he was always searching for new ways to solve problems and create something innovative. A lot of that drive came from his father, whose willingness to dive into the unknown and share his discoveries with others set a powerful example for Edwin. It shaped his own determination to build tech solutions that would help empower people. Those early adventures opened his eyes to the endless possibilities of technology—where creativity and problem-solving could come together to build something truly impactful. 

The Birth of Mteja.io

Back in 2018, while working as a Software Engineer, Edwin spent a lot of time diving into emerging real-time communication technologies. This is when he noticed a significant gap in the market. Despite phone calls (telephony) being such an essential part of communication, many smaller businesses, especially the ones on tight budgets found it too expensive and complicated to adopt the advanced hardware and software typically required. On top of that, these businesses often didn’t have the in-house engineering expertise to configure or maintain such systems. To address this issue, Edwin founded Mteja.io in 2019.

The initial goal was to create a product that would allow small businesses to tap into telephony without the hassle of complicated hardware or technical expertise. They developed a simple MVP that made it easy for businesses to set up and manage calls, with no need for expensive infrastructure or specialized training. However, as they began rolling out the solution, they quickly realized that the communication and customer service challenges these businesses faced were much deeper and extended across multiple channels, not just voice calls. That insight led them to broaden their approach and create a holistic, channel-agnostic platform. “We wanted to help businesses manage all their interactions – voice, messaging (sms, WhatsApp), and beyond – under one unified system, ultimately enabling them to improve customer service in a more integrated and effective way,” asserts Edwin.

Navigating the Challenges of Early-Stage Funding

After securing pre-seed funding, Edwin faced one of the toughest challenges for any entrepreneur—bridging the funding gap. While the initial investment gave Mteja some much-needed validation, securing the next round proved to be a much tougher battle. In Africa, entrepreneurs don’t always have the same access to venture capital or angel investors as in more established tech hubs. So, Edwin and his team made a bold decision to bootstrap. 

They funneled every bit of revenue back into the business, reining in expenses and focusing on sustainable growth instead of chasing quick scaling. They also shifted their focus to smaller, mission-driven investors who shared their vision of making a local impact. By being transparent about their progress—celebrating the wins and acknowledging the setbacks—Edwin and his team built credibility and trust over time. “This experience taught me that adaptability and resourcefulness are critical in an environment where capital isn’t always readily available. Even though bootstrapping after the pre-seed round felt like a daunting decision, it ultimately allowed us to maintain control over our product roadmap and build a lean culture that prioritizes innovation and efficiency,” reflects Edwin.

Cultivating a Culture of Shared Responsibility and Resilience

Early in his entrepreneurial journey, Edwin felt the pressure to do it all—making every decision, micromanaging every process, and even writing every line of code. But as he built Mteja alongside a team deeply rooted in African values of community, he realized the importance of trust—trusting his team to bring their creativity and local knowledge to the table. Initially, his focus was on efficiency and results, with every win, big or small, feeling crucial for growth. However, Edwin soon learned that real growth comes from cultivating a culture of shared responsibility. Today, he focuses on empowering his team to reach their full potential by offering structure and guidance when needed, while also stepping back to allow them the space to develop their own solutions. This shift has not only built confidence but also a strong sense of purpose within the team, helping them stay resilient. Moreover, Edwin makes a conscious effort to stay open to feedback. By listening closely to his team and customers, particularly within local communities, he uncovers valuable insights that help drive their impact. 

Balancing Work and Wellness

Initially, Edwin found himself working around the clock, trying to do it all, which often left little room for personal time. But with time, he learned the importance of setting clear boundaries to balance productivity and well-being. Now, he schedules his personal commitments like family time, exercise, or downtime with the same priority as business meetings. Whether it’s dedicating an hour every other morning to exercise or unplugging from work emails on weekends, he discovered that prioritizing health and relationships makes him more focused and creative when he returns to work.

Beyond time management, Edwin also understands the importance of delegation. Initially, he felt he had to handle everything himself, but over time, he learned that trusting his team with decision-making not only lightens his load but also fosters their growth. As he puts it, “I remind myself that a tired, burnt-out leader isn’t going to drive innovation or inspire a team. By prioritizing my well-being, I show up more focused and creative at work, which ultimately benefits both the business and my personal life.”

Charting a Bold Path Toward Global Impact 

Forging ahead, Edwin is determined to build a global communication and customer service platform that’s deeply rooted in the unique needs of local markets, starting with Kenya. “On the home front, we want to continue partnering with local businesses to create solutions that genuinely reflect the realities on the ground. By doing so, we aim to empower more small and medium-sized enterprises, helping them scale customer engagement and compete on a larger stage without incurring huge costs for infrastructure or specialized expertise,” he explains.

Beyond Kenya, Edwin envisions Mteja expanding across Africa and eventually making its mark on the global stage. Interestingly, the company has already attracted customers from over ten countries—without any active outreach—highlighting the vast untapped potential. Driving this growth is a strong commitment to artificial intelligence (AI), which will elevate the platform’s capabilities. By rolling out advanced automation tools and AI-driven analytics, Mteja is enabling businesses to personalize interactions, optimize resource allocation, and gain real-time insights into customer behavior. This allows companies to understand and anticipate customer needs at an entirely new level, often before those needs are even voiced.

The company is also leveraging AI for robotic process automation (RPA), streamlining repetitive tasks like customer request routing and report generation. This not only boosts productivity but also opens up new opportunities in the digital labor market, empowering individuals to focus on high-value tasks like strategy and creative problem-solving. Ultimately, Edwin aims to position Mteja at the forefront of AI-powered communication solutions, creating a platform where businesses worldwide can automate workflows, enhance customer engagement, and equip their teams with smarter tools. “I believe that by fusing advanced technologies with a community-centric ethos, we can fuel sustainable growth and help organizations of all sizes thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape,” he adds.

Edwin’s Formula for Success: Pivot, Stay Lean, and Embrace Failure

For Edwin, the key to entrepreneurial success boils down to three things: adaptability, efficiency, and a fearless approach to failure. “Pivot or perish,” he stresses, especially in a world where technology is evolving at lightning speed. But adaptability alone isn’t enough—staying lean is just as crucial. He believes in focusing on what truly adds value, avoiding unnecessary complexity, and building small, high-impact teams instead of chasing trends.  “Speed without strategy is a recipe for disaster,” he warns, emphasizing the need for deliberate, high-impact execution. 

Edwin also encourages entrepreneurs to tackle the tough, complex problems others shy away from—because solving meaningful challenges is what truly sets startups apart. “Embrace failure, and be blameless in your retrospection. Whenever something doesn’t go according to plan, focus on learning and fixing, instead of pointing fingers. This will foster an environment where your team feels safe to innovate, which often comes through failure,” he concludes.