From prototype to profit: Why Kenyan innovators must learn to commercialise and protect their ideas
Young Kenyan innovators are increasingly being urged to look beyond developing impressive prototypes and focus on turning their ideas into sustainable businesses, amid concerns that many promising inventions fail to reach the market. The challenge emerged during Robocon 2024 at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), where students and innovators from schools, […]
Kenyan innovators are urged to shift focus from creating prototypes to turning ideas into profitable businesses, according to concerns voiced at Robocon 2024. While Kenya continues to produce talented young innovators, the biggest hurdle is often transitioning from prototype to market, said experts. To succeed, innovators must tackle critical questions such as who will buy the product, what problem it solves, its production cost, and its scalability.
Without a clear commercial strategy, many inventions may end as school projects or competition entries. Young innovator Felix Kamau highlighted Kenya's talent for developing home-grown solutions, stating, "We have the talent, we have the minds... We can do it." However, innovators must also protect their intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights, before exposing their inventions to the market.
Failure to do so could result in losing control over their creations. Access to capital remains a major barrier, with innovators lacking the financial support needed to move beyond prototypes. Patricia Ng’ana, an innovator, called for government intervention to provide sponsors or loan options for funding innovations. Technology companies and policymakers are also urged to provide young people with access to modern tools and global technologies.
Experts emphasize the need for innovation support beyond technical training, including access to funding, intellectual property protection, business and entrepreneurship training, mentorship, modern technology, and government support. Kenya's innovation ecosystem faces the challenge of turning promising ideas into successful businesses that address local problems and create jobs.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
