UoN Graduates 40 through its Youth Entrepreneurship Incubation Hub

Forty young entrepreneurs from the University of Nairobi have completed an eight-day business incubation programme that brought together academia and industry to equip emerging entrepreneurs with practical skills to develop, test and grow viable enterprises.

The programme, which culminated in a graduation ceremony at the University on Tuesday,  August 18, was implemented by the African Women Studies Centre (AWSC) in collaboration with the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, the Department of Environmental and Biosystems Engineering, the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Technology, and Equity Group.

A key outcome of the programme was a commitment by Equity Foundation to provide continued technical support to the entrepreneurs and explore a longer-term partnership with the University to strengthen enterprise development and innovation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Joseph Kimotho, Associate Director, Enterprise Development & Financial Inclusion at Equity Group Foundation. said the Foundation would dedicate a resource person to support the graduating cohort and connect the entrepreneurs to wider business networks and opportunities.

“We are ready to link you with entrepreneurs, not only at Equity, but across the wider ecosystem.”

He said stronger partnerships between universities, industry and other enterprise-support organisations could contribute to job creation and sustainable economic development.

The programme sought to move entrepreneurship training beyond classroom learning by giving participants opportunities to develop and test business ideas with input from mentors, peers and industry practitioners. Participants were drawn from different faculties and departments and are developing enterprises in areas including agribusiness, food processing, manufacturing, technology, beauty, fashion and other creative industries.

The training covered design thinking, value proposition development, product development and industry experience, pitch deck preparation, financing, product pricing, and enterprise support services. Participants also undertook two days of practical industry exposure, where they gained hands-on experience in product development and production.

Director, Innovations and Intellectual Property Management, Prof. Wagacha Maina said universities needed to make entrepreneurship education more solution-oriented and strengthen collaboration with industry.

“We learn from books, but we have gone beyond academic work to real implementation.”

He said the focus on developing solutions and creating value was central to the incubation approach.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Finance, Planning and Development, Prof. Josiah Aduda who presided over the ceremony held at the University of Nairobi said the initiative was strategically important given the number of graduates entering a labour market with limited employment opportunities.

“Every year, the University graduates over 10,000 students. This programme provides an economic opportunity and, with the support of ecosystem partners such as Equity, we can reduce youth unemployment, create more jobs and contribute to economic growth.”

The entrepreneurs were also urged to pay close attention to the cost of producing their products, improve efficiency and build enterprises capable of creating opportunities beyond their founders.

The programme received technical input from enterprise-support institutions, including the Kenya Industrial Estates and the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority, exposing participants to business support services available within the wider entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The University said the incubation model will continue to emphasize practical enterprise development, industry engagement, mentorship and access to business networks as it seeks to strengthen pathways from university-based ideas to sustainable enterprises.