The Technical University of Kenya(TUK) was recently awarded a grant of $ 528,625 by the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) program, which is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).  The intended impact of the RISA Fund is to strengthen national Research and Innovation Systems in target countries; which will in turn contribute to economic growth and development.

The TUK RISA team are implementing a project titled ‘Technology Transfer Assistance to enhance Knowledge Exchange and Technology Transfer between SMEs and HEIs (TTASH) within Nairobi Innovation Ecosystem. The project seeks to bridge the gap between technology sources like higher education institutions(HEIs) and technology users such as small and medium enterprises(SMEs) operating within the Nairobi innovation ecosystem.

The project has now reached its 3rd phase which involves the development of a technology hub, whose main activity will be development of new ideas and inventions to full commercialization. Towards this end the project has sent out a call for innovation to support the first cohort of innovators in the hub. If you are an SME, a student or Faculty with a new idea or invention that addresses a specific need/ gap or problem in the market or society, you are welcome to apply and compete. The winner will get Ksh 1 Million, runner up Ksh. 750,000 and 2^nd runner up Ksh. 500,000 as seed capital to develop and pilot their ideas, which will be showcased at the forthcoming Nairobi Innovation Week , where they stand get further funding through venture capital.