MKU Researcher Donatus wins Global innovation competition

Mount Kenya University Lecturer and Researcher Donatus Njoroge is the winner of the Global Innovations through Science and Technology Initiative (GIST) Tech-I competition.

Njoroge was announced the winner of the startup Phase by the U.S. State Department at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Bahrain.

According to the office of the Spokesperson in Washington DC the GIST Tech-I pitch competition brings together science and technology entrepreneurs from emerging economies worldwide, enabling young innovators through networking, skill development, mentoring, and access to financing, to develop startup solutions that address economic and development challenges.

This year more than 500 up-coming entrepreneurs submitted their applications with twelve finalists competing in the “idea” stage and another twelve in the “startup” stage.

All were seeking to develop their innovations and competed for over $30,000 in seed capital funding and more than $200,000 in Amazon Web Services credits.

“We as the MKU Fraternity joined by fellow Kenyans congratulate Donatus Njoroge on his research which has been pinned on the global map. His research on post-harvest pest control is in line with the goal number two of Kenya’s Big 4 Agenda “Food Security and Nutrition”. His research is timely as the country faces a dry span hence we need to safe guard the harvest that we already have.” Said Dr. Bibianne, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Research Affairs.

Syed Abrar from Pakistan was second in the startup phase while Varinder Singh from India was third.

Antoli Kirigwajjo from Uganda emerged victories in the idea phase followed by Isaac Sesi from Ghana in second while third place went to Ariuntuya Altangerel from Mongolia.