Researchers innovate and invent to solve societal problems. However, in the global South, these innovations are rarely deployed into society, and even less so are they commercialized. As a result, researchers seldom profit from their work. A critical question arises: Should addressing Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) be part of the research-to-commercialization (R2C) journey? […]
The diagnosis and treatment of cholera in Kenya is a concern for health workers as well as social workers across different communities. Dr Muturi has dedicated her academic life to immunology, biosafety and biosecurity – leading her to innovate for commercialization a Cholera Biosensor – revolutionizing cholera detection with innovative biosensor technology that detects cholera […]
In the modern knowledge economy, the gap between academia and industry remains a significant hurdle. As a researcher, I’ve often found myself questioning why so many groundbreaking discoveries remain confined to the ivory towers of academia, never making their way into the hands of the public. It seems counterintuitive to invest substantial time, resources, and […]
This May we had Expendo, a startup in the mobility space pitching: Digital labour platforms have transformed the world of work. Logistics gig workers especially face a myriad of challenges, as highlighted by several by the International Labour Organization (ILO) studies (references below), including lack of social protection, unstable incomes, inadequate training and skills development, […]
No Part-Time Founders! Lessons for Successful Research Commercialization In the world of research commercialization, the journey from research labs to market can be both exhilarating and treacherous. While groundbreaking research often promises transformative impacts, the path to a successful business is filled with challenges. However, one critical lesson stands out for those who aspire to […]
As investors and advocates for innovative startups, we are thrilled to spotlight Wingi, a dynamic company streamlining supply chains for African businesses. Before we delve too deep into Wingi’s story, let’s first address the supply chain challenges facing businesses across the board; from your mom-and-pop retailers to the big-league manufacturers, they all know the struggle […]
Introduction The journey from a promising lab discovery to a successful market solution is full of challenges. Many researchers find their brilliant ideas stalled, never reaching the hands of the people who could benefit from them. This guide explores the common pitfalls and winning strategies for navigating the path from research to commercialization. Understanding the […]
Beneficiary story of change by Odak Onyango, CEO – Wable Maji Safi Solution In the heart of Homabay County, nestled along the shores of Lake Victoria, Wable Maji Safi Solutions embarked on a mission to quench the thirst of their community with clean, safe drinking water. However, their journey began with humble roots, as they […]
Humble Beginners School is based in the Kangemi neighbourhood and has 137 pupils. The school has been consistently growing in pupil numbers. They needed funds to build a few more classrooms to accommodate their ever-increasing size and upgrade their existing classrooms … This is the classic tale of many low-fee private schools in Kenya. These […]
Week 1 of our Research to Commercialization Cohort 4 was off to an exhilarating start as we launched Phase 2 and commenced our intensive training program! Phase 2 Launch: We kicked off Phase 2 with a bang, marking a significant milestone in our journey towards commercialization. The R2C Program phase 2 will offer a holistic […]