This blog is based on discussions held during the showcase event under the TransCIIT3 project which was held in September 2023 at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies (KSMS), Nairobi, Kenya. The showcase event was held to demonstrate the functionality of the TransCIIT matchmaking platform.

In addition to the project students and entrepreneurs, the event was attended by policymakers, researchers, academia and industry players. The event was held in conjunction with the Transformative Innovation Policy  (TIP) workshop which was hosted by the Trilateral Chair programme.

Background

TransCIIT Phase 2 attempted to address the business needs of selected entrepreneurs by finding suitable Master’s students who can help you address a problem that you are facing in your business through a researcher-entrepreneur mentorship relationship. These issues were either technical or business issues related to marketing, finance, policy, research, or something else. This support is being made possible through a small consolidation grant received from the British Council that supports the further development/ scaling-up of TransCIIT Phase 2 activities. TransCIIT Phase 3 runs until November 2023 and thereafter the collaborating institutions, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) and Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC), African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), University of Johannesburg (UJ) and University of Sussex - Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) will provide direction on how the institutionalisation of the matchmaking service will be done at institutional and national level.

Building on the positive outcomes from the TransCIIT Phase 2 experience, and learning from it, the priority issue of TransCIIT Phase 3 is to work to achieve the institutionalization of the matchmaking service at the university/intermediary and national level in Kenya. The project also seeks to enhance the functionality of the developed web-based matchmaking application and to generate an open-source version available to the public. Successful institutionalization will benefit not only more master’s students and entrepreneurs, but it will also benefit those organizations that incorporate the matchmaking service within their operations (universities, intermediary organizations, other post-secondary education organizations), relevant government departments seeking to promote sustainable development of the innovation ecosystem and, ultimately, Kenyan citizens who need the products and services climate innovations can provide.

Introduction

Prof. Ogara emphasized the need to shift mindsets away from only seeking jobs, and towards job creation. He was glad colleagues had solutions for entrepreneurship training. He discussed plans to institutionalize the platform by bringing it to committees and engaging relevant deans. The goal was different training that linked students to entrepreneurs for attachments. He asked participants to share their experiences before introducing the matching platform demonstration. He thanked all involved in the project and discussed continuing collaboration between universities and industry. Participants were thanked and the importance of institutionalizing such programs was emphasized to shift mindsets towards entrepreneurship and collaboration between universities and industry. Dr. Byrne provided context about the TransCIIT 3 project. He explained it came from a British Council call focused on building university partnerships to support entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems in addressing challenges like climate change and youth unemployment. He situated the project within the framework discussed in earlier presentations about harnessing R&D and innovation ecosystems to confront societal challenges. The goal was working within Kenya's innovation system to link climate entrepreneurs and postgraduate students.  Dr. Byrne outlined the five project partners and overall/specific objectives of exploring a matchmaking service pilot between entrepreneurs, students, and developing a website to facilitate future matching. He depicted Kenya's national innovation system and where the project aimed to work - with MSMEs, startups, and students. This was presented as an often-neglected part of innovation systems focused more on world-changing inventions than incremental innovations impacting lives. Dr. Byrne briefly discussed project implementation through matchmaking events and follow-ups to finalize matches between needs and skills ensuring support was offered for guaranteed project completions.

Mr. Ernest thanked the TransCIIT project for the opportunity to collaborate. He said Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) focuses on fostering university-private sector collaboration and saw the value of linking students and entrepreneurs. He looked forward to further collaboration with Strathmore University on institutionalizing the matching platform and scaling engagement with more entrepreneurs and organizations.

Demonstration of functionality of matchmaking platform

The website developer, Mr. Phanuel Mutuma gave a demonstration of the matching platform Some key elements about the platform are highlighted as follows;

• Entrepreneurs can add projects, invite students to projects, and view invited/completed projects.
• Students can view invited projects, apply to projects, and see their project status. Projects can include details like location, expertise needed, economic benefits, etc.
• Students and entrepreneurs can communicate directly about projects.
• The platform aims to facilitate matching needs and skills across different countries/locations.
• An open-source tool can be customized, with the potential to add other functions over time.
• The demonstration showed how it could connect entrepreneurs to needed expertise through a virtual platform.

Question and Answer (Q&A) sessions

Prof. Renson Muchiri, KCA University asked about addressing intellectual property issues, and financing the process long-term, especially initial support for startups. Accessibility of resources was also raised. Mr. Ernest suggested entrepreneurs to consider what needs protection (innovation itself vs trade secrets) and use defensive protection like open sourcing to deter patents.

Ms. Patricia, an entrepreneur, questioned when financing should come in - early to support testing ideas, or later once potential is proven? It's a challenge as some need funding at initiation while others are grounded with proven ideas. Determining the right point of support was discussed. t was noted the project paid students' time to demonstrate skill value. Moving forward, universities could fund students, or a national/organizational fund be used. Scarcity-induced innovation was also discussed. It was also noted that some ideas just need proving, while others like bio-ethanol production were close to commercialization. A two-step process or proving viability first may help determine funding time. Connecting innovators to resources like KCIC incubators early could help test ideas. The challenge of assessing ideas at different stages was also acknowledged. The issue of financing was further discussed, with the suggestion that it should be a mutual agreement between entrepreneurs and students. The matchmaking process provides an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations and gain experience. The use of trade secrets and defensive protection was suggested to protect innovation without disclosing too much information.

Ms. Pauline raised questions about the limitations of geographical location in matching entrepreneurs with students. Prof. Hanlin clarified that their team is designing a new platform that will allow entrepreneurs and students from anywhere in the world to connect and share information.

Remarks from some TransCIIT project beneficiaries

• Ms. Rose, a climate entrepreneur, discussed her packaging business and challenges of increasing demand. She was grateful for opportunities given to her through the project.
• Mr. Richard, a student, appreciated applying classroom knowledge to help entrepreneurs. He discussed supporting projects in extraction and waste conversion.
• Mr. Jones, a bio ethanol entrepreneur discussed developing a process to produce fuel from sunflower and the challenges faced in attaining a high-percentage product and how a student, Mr. Cleopas Tiema helped refine the process.
• Mr. Simon discussed collaborating with a student on social media and branding for their organic waste project through the matching platform and now works with the organization.

Remarks from British Council

Monica Blagescu, Head of Education, British Council thanked everyone for their contributions and noted the TransCIIT 3 project was one of 10 supported through their consolidation fund.

• She provided further details about the scale and impact of the overall program, which included multiple projects across Africa focusing on areas like incubation, acceleration, digital/physical platforms, mentorship, curriculum development, and policy environments.
• It was noted that while individual projects created pockets of impact, together the approaches and tools developed could be adapted, adopted, and applied more broadly. Continued commitment to supporting work beyond project lifespans was emphasized. Appreciation was expressed for partnerships with organizations in multiple countries that enabled facilitating contributions to wider processes and impact.
• Monica hoped the tools and approach from TransCIIT 3 could continue informing stakeholders. Thanks were given to all involved in making the partnership successful and progressing the work. Continued sharing of experiences and future opportunities was welcomed before the representative concluded.

Conclusion & closing remarks

Prof. Dennis Ochuodho, Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), JOOUST, thanked all the participants and acknowledged that many interesting things had been discussed. He recognized it had been a great learning experience for him as an ecologist, noting concepts from ecology like ecosystems and communities were now being used in other contexts. The DVC specifically thanked their funders among them, the British Council for supporting most of their activities with the students. He highlighted opportunities participants had through the British Council like attending the Kenya innovation week.

Prof. Solomon Ogara concluded the demonstration session by emphasizing the importance of institutionalizing projects like TransCIIT 3 to shift mindsets towards entrepreneurship and collaboration between universities and industry. He discussed plans to bring the agenda to committees and engage deans.