Manu Chandaria has pledged Ksh.20 million ($150,000 ) to support the creation of a new incubation and innovation centre at KCA University in Nairobi.
Chandaria is a Kenyan industrialist and philanthropist and his funds will be channeled through his Chandaria Foundation.
KCA has opted to name the facility Chandaria Business Incubation and Innovation Centre, which will be located on the sixth floor of the university’s Ksh.8 billion academic complex.
The centre will provide mentorship, entrepreneurship training, industry linkages, and access to early-stage funding, designed to help students turn classroom ideas into market-ready startups.
According to the business mogul the funding points to his interest in youth empowerment and to building ventures that address real-world challenges.
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The initiative targets graduates facing a difficult job market, encouraging them to pursue enterprise-building over traditional employment. Plans also include assistance with intellectual property protection so innovators can retain ownership of their creations.
KCA University Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaiah I.C. Wakindiki described the partnership as advancing the university’s vision of becoming a leading hub for research, innovation, and incubation.
The centre will combine academic learning with practical skills to help students launch sustainable businesses.
The Chandaria Foundation has a long history of supporting education, health, and community development across East Africa, including financing infrastructure and training initiatives to expand economic opportunities.
