KCA University, Chandaria Foundation partner in Ksh.20M innovation hub

KCA University has signed a Ksh.20 million partnership deal with the Chandaria Foundation to establish a new business incubation and innovation hub aimed at turning students and young innovators into entrepreneurs and job creators.

The agreement will see the creation of the Chandaria Business Incubation and Innovation Centre (CBIIC), a facility designed to nurture innovative ideas and commercialise them into viable businesses.

The centre will be housed on the sixth floor of KCA University’s Ksh.8 billion multi-level academic complex, a flagship project within the institution’s long-term infrastructure expansion plan.

Under the partnership, the centre will provide students and aspiring entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, entrepreneurship training, seed funding opportunities and linkages with industry players.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the university’s role in Kenya’s innovation ecosystem by supporting start-ups at early stages and helping bridge the gap between academic research and the market.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Chandaria Foundation Trustee Dr Chandaria said the investment reflects the foundation’s commitment to youth empowerment as a pathway to national self-reliance.

He noted that innovation and entrepreneurship are critical drivers of sustainable economic development.

“By investing in young innovators and equipping them with the right tools, mentorship and resources, we are not only helping create businesses but also contributing to the building of a self-reliant nation,” he said, adding that the centre will support ideas that address real-world challenges, create jobs and contribute to Kenya’s economic growth.

The partnership comes against the backdrop of persistent youth unemployment, which has left many university graduates struggling to secure formal jobs.

The incubation centre seeks to address this challenge by shifting focus from job-seeking to job-creation, in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 development agenda.

Beyond local impact, the CBIIC aims to position itself as an international incubation hub by fostering global collaborations, participating in international accelerator programmes and attracting venture capital for promising Kenyan innovations.

The centre will also focus on intellectual property protection to ensure innovators retain value from their ideas.

KCA University Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaiah Wakindiki said the partnership strengthens the institution’s ambition to be a leader in research, innovation and incubation. He said the centre will offer an environment where academic excellence is matched with practical entrepreneurial skills.

“This collaboration reinforces our commitment to nurturing graduates who are not only academically competent but also equipped to translate ideas into sustainable enterprises,” Prof Wakindiki said.

The university is currently implementing phase one of its Ksh.8 billion masterplan, valued at Ksh.1.7 billion, as part of its 2024–2028 strategic plan.

The investment is aimed at enhancing infrastructure, expanding research and innovation capacity and providing a holistic, student-centred learning environment.

With the launch of the Chandaria Business Incubation and Innovation Centre, KCA University and the Chandaria Foundation hope to play a central role in shaping Kenya’s next generation of entrepreneurs and strengthening the country’s innovation-driven growth.