The Youth And Students’ Innovation And Enterpreneurship Oscars Olympiad 2023

The Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES) is a dynamic platform dedicated to inspiring and equipping young entrepreneurs with the knowledge, resources, and connections necessary to thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape. The summit aims to foster a culture of innovation, resilience, and collaboration among youth, empowering them to transform their ideas into sustainable ventures that drive economic growth and societal impact.The Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES) serves as a launchpad for the next generation of innovative and socially conscious entrepreneurs, providing them with the necessary tools, mentorship, and network to transform their ideas into sustainable and impactful ventures. Through fostering a culture of innovation, resilience, and social responsibility, YES aims to create a vibrant ecosystem that supports and nurtures the growth of young entrepreneurs, driving economic empowerment and positive change in communities and beyond.

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Commercialization

Evidence shows that there is a relationship between research outputs and impact, and social-economic development with universities and research institutions at the centre. Whilst the number of universities continue to increase there isn’t a commensurate pace of translation of research outputs into significant social and economic benefits. Despite being the second largest and second most populous continent, Africa contributes just 2 per cent of the world's research output. It accounts for only 1.3 per cent of research spending and produces a mere 0.1 per cent of all global patents. This is attributable to among other reasons, decreasing public financing and policy support for universities. Increasingly research commercialisation is becoming a key area of focus for universities and research institutions. 

The UK`s East Africa Research and Innovation Hub (EARIH)] in partnership with the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) is convening the Research Commercialisation Summit at Kenya Innovation Week 2023. This is part of the EARIH`s ongoing work aimed at addressing barriers to commercial scaling of new technologies and innovation and research capacity strengthening. 

The Summit builds on several projects across Africa including the UK funded Research and Innovation Systems Africa (RISA) Fund, the Institutional Support to Commercialisation in partnership with KeNIA, the Science for Africa Foundation among others. These projects seek to support individuals as well as institutions to strengthen capacity and capabilities, realign policies and systems at national and organisational levels and generate meaningful partnerships to enable commercialisation of research and innovations. The Research Commercialisation Summit is also linked to the Intellectual Property (IP) Rights Summit (co-convened with Anza Village), which will provide participants with knowledge on IP, access to resources including technical advice from legal experts during KIW at the UK Pavilion.

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Innovation in Agriculture and Food Security

The Kenya Innovation Week Agritech Summit 2023 is a highly anticipated event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, researchers, and stakeholders from the agricultural and technology sectors. This summit serves as a platform for discussing and showcasing the latest advancements in agricultural technology, sustainability, and innovation. It aims to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing, ultimately driving the transformation of agriculture into a more efficient, sustainable, and productive industry. It also aims to tackle the issue of food security and climate change globally and how its impacts can be reduced through various innovative methods and also how some of the key stakeholders of the country's agricultural sector can be incorporated into ensuring that small holder farmers and the youth can be involved in this agenda. This has been doone in partnership with Heifer international as the core curator and lead of this track.

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Innovation for a Resilient :Climate-Resilient Health Systems

This side event aims to delve into the transformative potential of technology and innovation in bolstering the resilience and sustainability of health systems amidst the challenges 
posed by climate change and other disruptive forces. It will highlight impactful case studies and effective solutions from Commonwealth nations and beyond, shedding light on the 
intricacies of scaling and replicating these models in diverse settings. Additionally, the side event will foster an environment conducive to networking and collaboration, bringing 
together a diverse array of stakeholders ranging from health practitioners, innovators, and investors to researchers, policymakers, and members of civil society.

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Presidential Innovation Awards

The Presidential Innovation Award (PIA) is a module of the Talanta Hela programme run by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports that intends to develop the entrepreneurial capacity of innovators across the country. It will recognise and award the innovative work of top innovators in the country within the national priority areas of Food Security and Agriculture, Digital Transformation, Healthcare, Climate Action and Green Energy and Entertainment and Gaming.

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YSK

Young Scientists Kenya (YSK) was started in 2017 by the Ministry of Education and the Embassy of Ireland and complements the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair. YSK is the premier national science competition in Kenya; our mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of young scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs to transform their communities through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The 2023 YSK National Science and Technology Exhibition (NSTE), now in its 6th edition, will be held from 27th November to 1st December 2023 at the Edge Convention Center, Nairobi. The exhibition format will be a virtual-physical hybrid model bringing some attendees to participate in person while the majority will join the event virtually. The Closing and Award Ceremony will take place on Wednesday 29th November 2023, from 2pm.This year, the Exhibition will bring 418 students (230 girls and 188 boys), showcasing 209 projects in four award areas. By cultivating a cohort of young innovators, this initiative aspires to empower catalysts for positive change, champions of innovation, and drivers of economic and societal advancement within our community.

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Digital Transformation and 4th Industrial Revolution Summit

The Digital Transformation and 4IR Summit is to host a roundtable objectives will focus on digital transformation in general and also explore the practice in the context of public sector, especially in emerging economies. The roundtable will:

1. Examine Current Trends: Analyze the latest trends and emerging technologies driving digital transformation.
2. Address Challenges: Identify and discuss the key challenges by countries in their digital transformation journeys.
3. Highlight Use Cases: Present real-world use cases and success stories from various countries to illustrate the impact of digital transformation and digital governance.
4. Facilitate Knowledge Sharing: Provide a platform for experts, policymakers, and practitioners to exchange insights and best
   practices.
5. Explore opportunities for collaboration and collective action: Explore the potential benefits and opportunities offered by digital
   transformation, including improved service delivery, enhanced citizen engagement, and increased operational efficiency.

ROUNDTABLE THEMES

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Students Innovation Oscars Olympiad

The inclusion of people with disabilities is vital for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as the global GDP suffers a massive annual loss of $2 trillion due to their exclusion. Historically, disability has spurred remarkable innovations that have become everyday technologies, such as the touch screen and the telephone. However, the current global innovation ecosystem often overlooks and underrepresents persons with disabilities, disability innovation entrepreneurship organizations (ESOs), and their pivotal role in the innovation economy.

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Public Sector Summit

The inclusive innovation track will feature topics such as assistive technology, accessibility, economic return on investment for assistive technology, inclusive employment, innovations for upskilling and reskilling persons with disabilities for the 21st century job market and the contribution of founders with disabilities in the innovation ecosystem. The track will showcase inclusive technologies and innovations from some of the leading startups in Africa and across the Commonwealth.

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Skills & Talent

The Skills and Talent Innovation Summit 2023 aims to serve as a dynamic platform for the convergence of thought leaders, educators, policymakers, industry experts, and innovators. This summit will delve into three critical and interconnected themes: "Unpacking the Green Jobs," "Unleashing Digital Nomads," and "Unlearning - Potential for Technology."
Summit Objectives: 
• Green Jobs Exploration: Understand the opportunities to create economic empowerment and transformation. Creating a “Green Work-Force.”
• Africa: The World’s Work-force: As the world ages, Africa’s growing young population may be the work-force the world needs. 
• Technology Unlearning: Change how we think by seeing examples of how innovators are transforming traditional sector such as agriculture education, manufacturing and informal work.

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Startup Summit

The Startup Summit is a core event within the Kenya Innovation Week (KIW). It hosts activities and conversations which focus on Startup growth, sustainability and enabling environment. The 3rd Edition of KIW, dubbed the Commonwealth Edition, will present an excellent opportunity for sharing ideas, experiences and potential markets with the aim of elevating the collaboration between the participating startup ecosystem players. The Startup Summit will comprise of two main segments: The first one is an interactive Dialogue session on the 30th of November, from 8.30 am to 1pm, focusing on topical issues currently affecting startups and their ecosystem. The second segment will be a captivating Commonwealth Pitchfest scheduled for 1st December 2023, from 8.30 am to 1pm. The curated pitch festival will feature a showcase of innovative businesses from various Commonwealth countries who have innovated solutions to address the local and global challenges. 

Summit Highlights 

1. Present the highlights of the 10-year Kenya Innovation Masterplan and its implementation priorities. 
2. Share insights and experience from Industry leaders through keynote speeches which will address the current Startup ecosystem trends, outlook and policy initiatives within the Commonwealth States and beyond. 
3. Interactive Founder Stories and Panel conversations with Startup founders and subject matter experts focusing on building sustainable high-growth enterprises, exit strategies, effects of the entrepreneurial journey on mental health. 
4. International Startup Pitchfest where entrepreneurs from the Commonwealth States will showcase their products and services. 
5. Connect Kenyan startups with their peers from Commonwealth States, potential investors, mentors, policy makers, industry players, academia and research partners, potential customers, amongst other event participants. 
6. Celebration of entrepreneurial talent through Startup recognition awards which will be sponsored by leading partners in the Global Startup ecosystem. 
7. Share new technologies and innovative ideas in the startup ecosystem at the Startup Village in the Exhibition zone. 
   
    

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Entrepreneurial Universities Masterclass

The Entrepreneurial University Masterclass is a dynamic reaction to the changing environment of higher education, driven by the need to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the academic arena. This program is designed to bridge this gap by offering a transformative experience that promises to reshape our institution's approach to innovation and entrepreneurship.

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IPR Summit

The IPR Summit aims to foster knowledge-sharing and collaboration on key aspects of intellectual property, innovation, and their impact on the Kenyan ecosystem. The summit will see 
stakeholders address pressing issues, share insights, and explore strategies to support and promote I.P innovation within the region. This Summit specifically will focus on IPR Framework within the Ecosystem under the hubs, Policies and strategies for IP within institutional spin offs and un- institutionalized startups.The IPR Summit will bring together experts, stakeholders, and innovators from Kenya, the Commonwealth, and beyond. The summit will comprise three (3) focused sessions that address critical themes related to intellectual property, innovation, and post-summit success strategies. Each session will feature presentations, panel discussions, and case studies, facilitating comprehensive discussions and knowledge exchange.A significant outcome of the Summit will be the launch of the Innovator's Guide to IPR Protection in Kenya and the introduction of the "Get your rights to Intellectual Property" (GrIP) Hub. This hub will offer IPR Clinics during the Kenya Innovation Week, facilitated by IP Lawyers and Patent Agents.

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AI Summit

Executive Summary: The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) and Adanian Labs partner to lead the AI track during Kenya Innovation Week. This collaboration aims to elevate AI innovation within Kenya's broader technological landscape. The track will focus on democratizing access to technology, fostering local innovation, stimulating sustainable development, and positioning Kenya as an AI destination. Key Collaboration Points: AI Showcasing: Highlighting AI's innovations and positioning Kenya as a critical player. Entrepreneurial Support: Providing resources and networks to encourage new tech business growth. Digital Education: Enhancing digital literacy to foster participation in the global tech revolution. Global and Local Alignment: Balancing international tech standards with Kenya's unique needs to promote strategic growth.

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Inclusive Innovation

Persons with disabilities are no longer a minority group; they represent the largest diversity segment globally, constituting 15% of the world's population with over 1.3 billion individuals. Despite significant advancements in disability rights over the past five decades, including the UNCRPD, ADA, and Kenya Disability Act of 2003, this community continues to face inequalities, particularly in areas such as employment and access to assistive technology. 

The inclusion of people with disabilities is vital for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as the global GDP suffers a massive annual loss of $2 trillion due to their exclusion. Historically, disability has spurred remarkable innovations that have become everyday technologies, such as the touch screen and the telephone. However, the current global innovation ecosystem often overlooks and underrepresents persons with disabilities, disability innovation entrepreneurship organizations (ESOs), and their pivotal role in the innovation economy. 

The "Inclusive Innovation Track" at the 2023 Kenya Innovation Week Commonwealth Edition is dedicated to exploring the disability innovation ecosystem across Africa and the Commonwealth. This track will convene startup founders, disability innovation ESOs, funders and investors, regulators, and the disability community to delve into the present state, achievements, strengths, challenges, and prospects of disability innovation. 

The inclusive innovation track will feature topics such as assistive technology, accessibility, economic return on investment for assistive technology, inclusive employment, innovations for upskilling and reskilling persons with disabilities for the 21st century job market and the contribution of founders with disabilities in the innovation ecosystem. The track will showcase inclusive technologies and innovations from some of the leading startups in Africa and across the Commonwealth.

Outcomes

The Inclusive Innovation track will:

1. Create awareness about disability inclusion and innovation.
2. Showcase inclusive innovations
3. Position inclusive innovation as a significant contributor to the innovation economy and a high priority for economic and social development within the commonwealth 
4. Attract the attention and commitment of funders, investors, and the government to unlock funding and create and enabling environment for disability innovation to thrive.
5. Share the impact and success of Innovate Now-Africa’s first assistive technology accelerator.
6. Launch the 2023 Global Disability Innovation Report in Kenya
7. Assistive technology

Topics of the sessions 

• Accessibility
• Economic return on investment for assistive technology
• Inclusive employment
• Innovations for upskilling and reskilling persons with disabilities for the 21st century job market and the contribution of founders with disabilities in the innovation ecosystem.  

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Creatives Summit

This one-day programme in partnership with British Council, acknowledges the potential for the Creative Economy to contribute to the socio-economic development of Kenya through leveraging digital technology, fostering collaboration and skills development in ways that contribute to livelihoods and social cohesion to the benefit of people and the planet.

This hybrid event will feature in-person panel conversations, presentations, a keynote speech, as well as showcasing immersive technology experiences. Practitioners will share insights from their research, showcase their products and ideas with the aim of helping the continued growth of the creative economy in the region through knowledge sharing and creating an environment that seeds collaboration and investment.

Sector experts from Kenya, South Africa and the UK will be sharing case studies and experiences working with digital technology to strengthen people to people connections, shift narratives and contribute to the livelihoods of creative practitioners.

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