The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) and the Association of Startups and SME Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK) have partnered to develop and streamline a dynamic national innovation system that facilitates the commercialization of startup innovations through the initiation and implementation of appropriate policies, standards and infrastructure that nurture the startup innovation ecosystem in Kenya.
The collaboration seeks to address needs-based challenges of startups and entrepreneurs while creating an enabling environment for innovation and innovative practices at the county and national level.
“The strategic partnership with KeNIA comes at an opportune time as ASSEK is currently developing a digital platform that will map out Kenyan Entrepreneur Support Organizations who work with startups and SMEs and provide access to ecosystem resources and facilitate capacity building programs to digitize their operations to enhance service delivery, promote the visibility of their impact – both local and international and facilitate investments in startup innovations.” Stated ASSEK Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Kimalat.
KeNIA CEO, Dr Tonny Omwansa stated that the initiative will provide an opportunity for encouraging academia to enhance innovation efforts in their research which would catalyze technologically enabled entrepreneurship ventures.
Speaking during the event he said, “This partnership will ensure stronger commercialization of research and ideas, and allow the Agency to support in the identification, recording and protection of innovative ideas, which are all key to a stronger national innovation system.”
He also stated that working with ASSEK will certainly strengthen the Government support and coordination of the Entrepreneurship Support Organizations which are very crucial in Kenya’s attaining the vision 2030.
Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) is a semi-autonomous government agency under the Ministry of Education that aims to develop and manage a dynamic national innovation system that facilitates taking ideas to the market.
