The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) has launched the Kenya Innovation Bridge (KIB), a digital platform that aims to link and connect startups, innovators, researchers, tech hubs, partners and investors in the Lake region. The platform was developed by Strathmore University and funded by the UK government through the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO). The KIB will make it easier for innovators from Western Kenya to network and scale up their innovations.
The KIB platform will provide startups and businesses with the opportunity to access mentorship, capacity building and training. KeNIA CEO, Dr. Tonny Omwansa, said that the linkages in form of investments, partnerships and capacity-building opportunities would catalyze the process for the youth to commercialize their talents. The KIB Platform aims to bridge the skill gap among innovators through capacity building, which will be offered by hubs, universities and other stakeholders.
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The KIB will work to bridge the inclusivity gap by ensuring innovators in the whole country get access to funds, partnerships and customers for their innovations. KeNIA plans to upgrade all 260 Youth Empowerment Centers (YECs) across the country into Innovation Hubs. The Agency in partnership with other stakeholders will set up programs and capacity-building activities in these innovation centers to attract the youth.
