Almost a year later since its inception in September 2012, the KCIC continues to be the “go-to” institution for Kenyan climate innovations, supporting clean technology entrepreneurs who profitably address climate challenges and create sustainable impacts in their local communities.
Growth in operations and services
The KCIC was able to keep up with the ensuing need for incubation space and rapid growth of operations and services in the region. Today, it is supporting 54 clients - only six companies away from its target of 60 by the end of 2013. Ten of these companies are using the KCIC facility in a full time basis and seven clients are receiving financing amounting to $200,000 for their successful Proof of Concept. Read the stories of Kenya's clean tech innovators under resources.
The KCIC recently added12 more people to its staff who serve as ‘inspirational accelerators’ for its clients in response to the growing demand of services in the region.
Strong and promising institutional support
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Professor Judi Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources with Edward Mungai, CEO of Kenya CIC The Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
In Kenya, bio ethanol is being taxed at consumable spirit rate that discourages its use for energy production. A Kenyan is forced to export bio ethanol to neighboring countries with better tax systems, then imports the product back to Kenya. The KCIC is working with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources to address these bio ethanol taxation issues.
Events and trainings
The Climate Change Innovation Conference (June, 2013)
In their efforts to take climate change innovation and turn it into green growth opportunities for Africa, the KCIC co-hosted a conference on June 24-26 with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Japan Patent Office and Kenya Intellectual Property Institute. The conference was attended by 200 participants from South Africa, Benin, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of Congo. In an exciting showcase of innovation, clean technology entrepreneurs exhibited their products during the opening activities. The conference also offered an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn from industry experts and from each other. See related article.
Business Meets Innovation Series (On-Going)
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Since May, 2013, the KCIC has been conducting monthly information sessions that were very well received by its clients. The main goal of the series is to pass relevant and useful information that will help the companies grow their businesses. Industry experts are invited to facilitate these engaging sessions. Past topics include (1) Carbon Finance, (2) Financing options for SMEs, and (3) Patenting, Licensing and Negotiations. Watch the videos of these sessions.
The Kenya Climate Innovation Center is the first of a series of CICs infoDev is launching globally. For more information on the KCIC, visit www.kenyacic.org/devs
