Young innovators get new push to turn ideas into businesses
Enterprise
By
David Njaaga
| Sep 16, 2026
Turning an idea into a working business remains a major hurdle for young innovators, with many struggling to access funding, technical support and markets even after developing solutions to problems in their communities.
An innovation programme is seeking to close that gap by connecting young innovators with institutions, technical expertise, potential funders, and markets, while helping them develop solutions targeting jobs, climate change, agriculture, and natural resources.
The South Eastern and Metropolitan Innovation Week (SEMIW) was launched on Wednesday, September 16, at Riara University in Nairobi, bringing together universities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, innovation hubs and other stakeholders.
The programme targets Kajiado, Nairobi, Machakos, Makueni and Kitui counties and seeks to support inclusive, green and technology-driven solutions that can contribute to sustainable communities and livelihoods.
Head of Innovations and Entrepreneurship at Riara University, Charles Kyu, said the initiative would give communities a greater role in identifying problems and developing solutions, while creating opportunities for young people to turn their ideas into commercially viable products.
“For the longest time we've been crying to help involve the communities and societies in driving solutions to some of these problems,” Kyu said.
He identified climate-related challenges, unemployment and protection of natural resources among areas where innovation could help communities develop practical solutions.
The programme will focus on areas including climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, green technology, digital trade, apiculture, digital arts, eco-tourism and cultural heritage.
For young innovators, however, developing an idea is only the first step.
A solution may require technical expertise, testing, prototyping, financing, mentorship and access to customers before it can become a viable business.
SEMIW organisers say they want to create connections between innovators and the institutions, investors and markets needed to help them move beyond the development stage.
The initiative is being organised by EmpServe Kenya in collaboration with the Association of Countrywide Innovation Hubs (ACIH), with partners including Konza Technopolis, the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Google and Riara University.
The programme includes regional activations, county boot camps, an online innovation challenge and an innovation summit.
The organisers also intend to showcase early-stage and startup innovations while facilitating partnerships, investment, knowledge exchange and capacity building.
For young people exploring entrepreneurship as a source of income, access to markets will be as important as developing the technology itself.
A product that solves a local problem can struggle to survive if its developers cannot find customers, financing or the technical capacity needed to produce it at scale.
Kyu said the programme would also give young people opportunities to connect with potential funders and develop commercial solutions.
The initiative is expected to culminate in an Innovation Summit on November 20, bringing together innovators, policymakers and business leaders to discuss how technology and entrepreneurship can support sustainable development.