Mubarak Muyika is a Kenyan American business executive, internet entrepreneur, and computer programmer best known for founding Hype Century and Zagace. Born on May 31, 1994, in Western Province, Kenya, his remarkable life story stretches from humble beginnings to making global waves in Silicon Valley.
Orphaned at the age of 10, Muyika went on to become a self-taught tech innovator. At 16, he launched Hype Century, a web hosting company that he sold two years later in a six-figure deal. He later founded Zagace, a cloud-based app store offering business tools for HR, accounting, and marketing. His journey showcases resilience, ingenuity, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Early Life and Education
Muyika was born into a family of educators and civil servants. His father served as a district commissioner in Siaya, while his mother was a high school teacher. After losing both parents by the age of 11, he was raised by his maternal aunt and uncle in Nairobi.
While attending Friends School Kamusinga, Muyika emerged as a science prodigy. He won top national awards at the Kenya Students Congress on Science and Technology in both 2010 and 2011:
- In 2010, he presented a whitepaper titled Kahunic Infra-Photo Surveyor, a system using Java, MySQL, C++, and infrared to detect objects behind solid materials.
- In 2011, he won again with Techno Fibre System (also called Enhanced Petrol Tracker), a real-time database for managing petrol movement and tanker logistics.
He graduated high school in 2011, equipped not just with academic credentials but with deep practical tech skills.
Building Hype Century
Muyika began his professional journey by redesigning the website for his foster parents’ company, Acrodile Publishers. Realizing the business potential of digital services, he founded Hype Century Technologies & Investments Ltd in 2011.
The company quickly grew to host over 1,400 domains for 700+ clients. In 2012, Muyika won the Anzisha Prize awarded by the African Leadership Academy, recognizing top young entrepreneurs in Africa.
In May 2013, at just 19 years old, he sold Hype Century to Wemps Telecoms for a six-figure sum. The acquisition marked his first major success in tech entrepreneurship.
Launching Zagace and Global Recognition
Later in 2013, Muyika used the proceeds from his first exit to establish Zagace in Nairobi, an enterprise software platform offering integrated business tools via an app store model. The startup attracted angel investors and saw rapid early growth.
In 2015, Zagace was restructured into a Delaware-based corporation and relocated to San Jose, California—marking Muyika’s official entry into the global tech scene.
He has since gained wide recognition:
- Featured in Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 in both 2015 and 2017
- Named in Business Insider’s global list of top young entrepreneurs
- Invited to global entrepreneurship summits and innovation forums
Mubarak Muyika Legacy and Inspiration
Mubarak Muyika’s rise from orphaned youth in Western Kenya to celebrated Silicon Valley entrepreneur is not just inspirational—it’s transformative. His ventures, Hype Century and Zagace, demonstrate the power of local innovation with global scalability.
He continues to be a role model for young Africans, showing that adversity is not a limitation—it is fuel for success when paired with vision and relentless action.
Key Facts About Mubarak Muyika
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 31, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Western Province, Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan-American |
| Known For | Founder of Zagace and Hype Century |
| Major Awards | Anzisha Prize (2012), Forbes 30 Under 30 (2015, 2017) |
| Education | Friends School Kamusinga (Kenya) |
| Notable Ventures | Hype Century, Zagace |
| Base of Operations | Silicon Valley, San Jose, California |
Final Thought
Mubarak Muyika’s story is a powerful reminder that brilliance can come from anywhere, even from hardship. His impact on African tech entrepreneurship and global business innovation continues to inspire the next generation of founders.
