ABOUT US

Built for the places other tools weren't.

Simba's mission is to help impact organizations listen better, learn faster, and steward their work honestly by staying close to real people and real program life.

Most data collection tools assume stable internet, lots of staff, and participants comfortable with tech, but most of the world doesn't work that way. This is the problem we're solving.

Simba was built for places and people that other tools don't serve. We use WhatsApp because people already use it. We use AI to handle data that otherwise can't be analyzed. We work closely with our partners to build tools that are right for them.

Meet the founders

April Stephenson

COFOUNDER, CEO

M.Sc., Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship, LSE

April has worked in risk & decision science at Venmo, PayPal, and Amazon. She got the idea for Simba while doing fieldwork in Nairobi, and loves books.

Katie Simon

COFOUNDER, CTO

B.S., Computer Science, Columbia University

Katie has built product at multiple startups and companies like Venmo and Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, with a side hustle in comedy in NYC & LA.

Robert Morris

COFOUNDER, CFO

M.Sc., Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship, LSE

Born and raised in rural South Africa, Rob has worked in in nonprofit innovation and accounting. He's the biggest cricket fan in the United States.

2019

April has the idea for a mobile data tool while collecting dissertation field data in an informal settlement in Nairobi.

2020

The name “Simba” is coined and the concept explored during LSE coursework.

Rob and April refine the concept on a road trip through Italy, drawing on Rob's work across Africa and Central Asia.

2021

April & Katie agree to explore building Simba as a tech-for-good startup.

The first MVP is built and tested with potential users. April and Katie present Simba at Web Summit Lisbon.

2022

Based on feedback, Simba pivots the core concept and formally incorporates, signing its first customers.

The team participates in OCEAN accelerator and secures its first funding.

2023

Simba launches its MVP and begins operations in 9 countries. The team conducts user research in Nicaragua and studies impact strategies & ecosystems at Oxford University's Impact Measurement Programme.

2024

Simba Labs R&D program launches with an expanded partner cohort. The team executes their first in-person deployments in Uganda and Kenya.

2025

Simba operates in 56 countries with 9.5x annual growth; the team is located in Southern California, Raleigh-Durham, and London.

Simba V1 is launched with integrated AI analysis and begins serving governments, INGOs, and larger institutions.

Built for the places other tools weren't.

Meet the founders

April Stephenson

Katie Simon

Robert Morris

View our 2025 Annual Report

Our story

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