Start-ups feted by Konza to advance innovation, development

Ekraal
Hub, H-Pass businesses, Step-Hear Ltd and Personal Watchguard are the winners of
the Konza innovation challenge 2021 planned by the Konza Technopolis
Development Authority (KoTDA) and Embassy of Israel in Kenya.

The
four start-ups will provide solutions in their respective fields to the
residents and investors in the techno city. While Personal Watchguard, Ekraal
Hub and H-Pass businesses are Kenyan based, Step-Hear Ltd is from Israel.

“This
is exciting and historic moment in the sector as we are accelerating
development by having homegrown solutions to deal with our challenges. As a
government, we are glad that these innovations will be piloted here at the
Technopolis,” said Joe Mucheru, Cabinet Secretary for ICT, Innovation and Youth
Affairs.

The
CS said that the piloting of the innovations at Konza Technopolis is a great
milestone for the country as not only does it serve Konza but can also be
implemented in the rest of the country. He encouraged and challenged innovators
to make use of government programs such as National ICT Master Plan, the
Constituency Innovation Hubs (CIHs) and the National Broad Band Policy in order
to come up with more solutions locally.

Konza
has been at the forefront of supporting innovation programs. In 2020, it
collaborated with the Association of Countrywide hubs and partners to hold the “Great
COVID 19 Innovation” challenge, a move that was instrumental in developing
solutions to help fight against the pandemic.

“As
a country, Israel is honoured to be part of Kenya’s innovation journey, and we
are happy to compare notes and share ideas. Kenya’s start-up ecosystem is
vibrant, and quite established in the continent. As the government of Israel, I
would like to state that we are proud to be part of this journey and we pledge
to continue working with you to build your ICT and Innovation ecosystem for posterity,”
said Oded Joseph, Israel Ambassador to Kenya.

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