Education Focus Magazine MarchApril Edition (2) compressed - Flipbook - Page 47
INNOVATIVE NEWS
New ICT’s initiative boosts
innovators
By Paul Ndung’u
According to Mr. Peter Kimani, a County
Innovation Champion (CIC) in Kiambu, most
of the projects align with the government’s
Big Four Agenda, covering Affordable
Housing, Manufacturing, Healthcare,
Agriculture, and SMEs. However, he
clarifies that while non-aligned projects are
still considered, they remain the minority.
We recognized the need for accessibility,
which is why ICTA has established Centres
of Innovation (CICs) across the country.
While physical hubs exist, the majority of
participants now opt for virtual
engagements, a shift that accelerated after
COVID-19, making the programme more
flexible and inclusive.=
Mr. Kimani explains.
Successful candidates gain the freedom to
choose the kind of support they need—
funding, access to facilities, market
linkages, mentorship, or collaboration
opportunities.
The best part is that Innovators retain full
ownership of their ideas, even when
collaborating with organisations affiliated
with WhiteBox.
The ICTA portal serves as a seamless
gateway for applicants, connecting them
directly to mentors, investors, and tech
leaders. One of the standout features of
WhiteBox is the Knowledge Intellectual
Property (KIP) system, designed to protect
innovators from intellectual property theft,=
says Mr. Kimani.
Mr. Peter Kimani, a County Innovation champion in Kiambu
