Are you that lone entrepreneur somewhere, battling the system, surviving against the odds with this ‘crazy’ idea bubbling through your head? Well, to say the least, there might just be a chance for you to get your ideas through faster and in the shortest way possible. Allow me to introduce you to the ACIH North Rift Valley innovation week happening this very week at the Rupa’s grounds.
In the quest to bring the culture of innovation to different regions, The Association of Countrywide Innovation Hubs (ACIH), is launching the innovator’s affair on 21st November at Rupa’s grounds. ACIH north rift Valley innovation week is one of the ten innovation weeks countrywide aimed at fostering innovation at the grassroots level. The event will see innovators in the North rift region get access to potential investors, customers, and partners on their ideas. At length, the program will run from the 21st to the 25th of November 2022.
North Rift Valley Innovation week objectives
The objectives of the week are:
-Promotion of new ideas from innovators and entrepreneurs
-Strengthening the region’s capacity for place-based innovation, skills, and knowledge necessary to advance the diffusion and technologies as tools for innovation and societal transformation.
-Identify top innovative solutions from the North Rift valley Innovations to showcase during Kenya Innovation Week.
-Encourage creativity and support innovators through incubation and mentorship programs.
-Advance the diffusion and technologies as tools for innovation and societal change.
The 2022 Innovation Week
To be specific, the North Rift Valley Innovation week is set to harness the creative minds of industries’ best from Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia and Elgeyo Marakwet counties. Some of the targeted audiences are the business community, entrepreneurs, startups, graduates, and students with brilliant ideas. Too, the event will feature Panel discussions on matters innovation; workshops aimed at setting off creativity and innovation; an exhibition to then put your idea out to the customers and funders; a hackathon, together with the pitching challenge where innovators present their business concepts to win a prize.
In addition, happening on Friday the 25th, three of the best innovators will be awarded prizes of up to Ksh. 300,000. Besides that, they get to lay out their ideas during the Kenya Innovation Week. On top of that, this guarantees them support in advancing their ideas through the various hubs in the region. Undoubtedly, this is a great opportunity to put your work, products, and services out there by securing an exhibition booth. Not only might you meet potential clients, but also get the opportunity to interact with like-minded people and know how to better your product as well as to network.
The various hubs working with ACIH to bring this to live are Eldohub, Kikao 64, RVIC, Active hub, Trans Nzoia Hub and Tumaini Innovation Center.
“The identified challenge faced by innovators across the country is the lack of access to funding opportunities, markets, and collaboration with like-minded innovators. Through this innovation week, we hope to foster innovation at the grassroots by showcasing these ideas/ businesses and enabling access to potential customers and investors.” said the Organizers’.
They added that topics on food security, digital economy and sustainability might just have a higher competitive advantage!
North Rift Valley Innovation Week Schedule
Marking day 1 is an introduction of the innovation week together with its official launch at the Rupa’s grounds. Panel discussions and networking then ensues. likewise, between the 21st to the 24th, exhibitions, pitching sessions workshops, panel discussions, and guest speakers will be order of the day. Conversely, the workshops will be happening at the different hubs around Eldoret. However, exhibitions, panel discussions, and the pitching challenge will take place at the Rupa’s grounds.
The conclusion of this year’s Innovation Week is on the 25th. So, final pitch presentations takes center stage. Together with that, announcing and awarding of the three winners is happening as well. To sum up the 2022 Innovation week is closing remarks from Chepkemoi Magdaline, the chairperson of ACIH.
Further, for partners and sponsors, this is an invaluable opportunity. They get to showcase their business to potential clients; link up with innovators for solutions to their business challenges and also they get to invest in these entrepreneurs.
Keynote Speakers
In brief, the keynote speakers for the North Rift Valley Innovation event are: Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, CEO, Konza Technopolis Development Authority
Dr. Eric Rutto,1st Vice president of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce (KNCCI)
Dr. Masibo Lumala, Director Institute of Online, Distance and E-Learning (IODeL)
Sheilah Birgen, Country Lead, KTN Global Alliance Africa (GAA) and Ambassador AfricaBerlin Network (connecting startups and Ecosystems)
In conclusion, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, to try your luck on creativity.
Confirmed Partners
