Most asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
KIEP aims to increase innovation and productivity in select private sector firms in Kenya by strengthening the private sector (including startups, SMEs, incubators, accelerators, technology boot camp providers, etc.) through financial grants and technical assistance.
Component 1 focuses on strengthening the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Kenya. It is further divided into four sub-components.
Sub-component: Strengthening the Ecosystem’s Support Infrastructure:- This program focuses on strengthening the support ecosystem (e.g. incubators, accelerators and rapid technology
skills providers such as bootcamps) through financial grants based on individual improvement plans. All
intermediaries in Kenya – such as incubators and accelerators - will be eligible to apply. In addition, KIEP will also fund
technology bootcamp providers through subsidizing cost of tuition for students, and through supporting bootcamps
through grant funding for scaling.
Sub-component: Industry-Startup Linkage Program:- The Industry-Startup Linkage Program aims to address the existing lack of connection between established industry
players, startups, and other ecosystem stakeholders through a facilitated program involving product development
acceleration. This mechanism will attract and filter relevant startups to work with industry players in their product or
service challenges. It will help the participating companies build their own innovation capacity, and aid startups in
finding a ready market for their products and services.
Sub-component: International Acceleration Process:- The International Acceleration Process will focus on connecting the Kenyan ecosystem to international networks of
talent and support infrastructure (for example, mentors and early-stage investors). The process will also attract global
experts and investors to the local ecosystem in order to showcase Kenya’s talent on the global platform.
Sub-component: Industry-Academia Platform:- The Industry-Academia Platform aims to connect a network of different, formal tertiary education institutions and their
students to individual companies through specific product development sessions with company staff. This activity will
support open innovation in Kenyan companies through access to relatively low-cost human capital, and help students
develop practical, in-demand skills and experience during their formal education.
Sub-component 1a aims to strengthen the ecosystem infrastructure by building the capacity of incubators, accelerators, and technology boot camp providers (intermediaries). It focuses on developing its operational strengths and individual business models to achieve operational sustainability, expansion, and increased quality of services.
The beneficiaries of this component are divided into two tracks. Track 1 consists of ecosystem intermediaries (incubators, and accelerators) who will receive financial grants based on individual improvement plans. Track 2 includes technology boot camp providers and Rapid Tech Skills students who will receive support through grants for scaling and subsidized tuition fees.
Sub-component 1A aims to achieve four key outcomes: (i) establish a collaborative and competitive system, (ii) create long-term sustainability for the intermediaries, (iii) establish better, improved outcomes for the entrepreneurs, and (iv) increase technology skills uptake, especially among women.
The project aims to represent the face of Kenya among all the beneficiaries from both tracks. A regional balancing formula will be implemented during the selection process to ensure the most deserving beneficiaries are chosen based on eligibility criteria.
All registered hubs, incubators, accelerators, and technology boot camp providers in Kenya are eligible to apply for support under sub-component 1a.
Telephone:
Address:- P.O. Box 15635 - 00509, Ushirika Road - Nairobi, Kenya
Email: accelerator.kenya@e4impact.org
(+254) 712 526 952
Email: info@xxxxx