Innovation forum to fete startups

Kenyan startups stand to bag awards at this year’s Nairobi Innovation Week (NIW) slated for June 10 to 14.

According to a statement from the University Of Nairobi, the exhibition will include hackathons, seminars and events focused on building innovation capacity and opening up paths to support ideas.

Innovators creating solutions in various domains are expected to participate by building their online profiles on the NIWStartups website. This will enable them to get evaluated and approved to pitch and awarded as they build partnerships and their businesses.

The Nairobi Innovation Week is an annual event that seeks to support and accelerate the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region.

Core to NIW is the emergence of a strong startup movement, supported by over 30 startup enablers in Kenya.

University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Peter Mbithi said Kenya’s capacity to compete in the global market largely depends on the ability of her people to innovate and apply the relevant technology for growth and development.

“Innovation is at the centre of Kenya’s development strategy; the Big Four Agenda, and envisioned in Kenya Vision 2030 and through legislation such as the Science, Technology and Innovation Act,” said Prof Mbithi during a breakfast meeting at a Nairobi hotel yesterday.

“The University of Nairobi with the help of the Government and strategic partners has put immense efforts into fostering innovations, some of which are through units such as C4D lab, Science and Technology Park.”