The Nairobi innovation week is an annual event that was established to celebrate and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. This year’s Nairobi Innovation Week is set to take place as from the 10th-14th June 2019 at the Nairobi University and will feature different forums including the NIW Innovation Summit, Exhibition, a ministerial panel on innovation among many others. The theme for this year is Innovation and Kenya’s Big Four Agenda which focuses on Food Security and Nutrition, Enhancing Manufacturing, Universal Health Coverage and Affordable Housing. Collectively, the Nairobi Innovation Week Exhibition provides a forum to bridge the gap between local entrepreneurs, talent and capital, thereby accelerating the growing start-up community.

Out of the 30 startups that took part in the Nairobi innovation challenge,  only six startups were chosen to pitch at the Nairobi Innovation Week.  The startups proved to be the most promising and able to have a social impact. Even though at their early and growth stages of the business.

The six startups include; Arinifu, Bentos Energy, Bioafriq, Green Pavers, Kencoco and Silmak Agencies.

Arinifu, is an Agritech startup. It has developed a device called the “Smart Brooder”. It’s an environment control device. Helps chicken farmers in controlling the temperature in brooding regions at optimal levels.

Bentos Energy,  recycles waste biomass into affordable smokeless, charcoal briquettes and organic fertilizer.

BioAfriq Energy, which fabricates pellet fired dehydrators for drying farm produces and smokeless pellet fired cook stoves.

Green Pavers,  is a social enterprise aimed at providing affordable housing by using efficient and environmental friendly building hardware made from recycled waste plastic. Set to provide social and environmental change.
Kencoco, is a startup that produces and sells charcoal briquettes from recycled agricultural coconut waste and charcoal dust.

Silmak Agencies, is a manufacturer of end to end menstrual hygiene products. The products range from cotton sanitary pads, adult pampers to sanitary pads vending machines and sanitary pads incinerators.

The six are set to receive a set of prizes, which include an entrepreneurship training scholarship at a reputable institution, complementary passes to the innovation summit and a free exhibition booth among other prizes.

Something about majority of these chosen startups is the fact that they focus on the energy and environmental conservation industry. Could that be the future of innovation?

The Nairobi Innovation Week has over the years been able to tap into the potentials of many youths and thus allowing them to think outside the box. It encourages diversity and innovation which is a great step in making Nairobi an innovation hub.

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