Deadline: August 10, 2026
Applications are open for the KCIC Cleantech Innovation Competition 2026. The purpose of the competition is to support early-stage businesses in the cleantech sector that focus on solving environmental problems. The Cleantech Innovation Competition is an initiative aimed at providing a platform for higher education students in Kenya to showcase their innovative cleantech ideas and technologies that can be used to address local environmental issues.
The competition is in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs). Through strategic partnerships, KCIC will work to influence the creation of enabling legal and regulatory frameworks for clean tech businesses as well as the mainstreaming of the green growth and climate change agenda into the Kenyan economy. KCIC is engaged in five sectors: water; renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE & EE); agriculture; commercial forestry and waste management. By focusing on these sectors, KCIC (and its clients) will directly and indirectly contribute to the achievement of SDG 1 (no poverty); SDG 2 (no hunger); SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), and SDG 13 (climate action). Others are SDG 15 (life on land); SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production).
Benefits
- Accelerator Support: Business development and growth assistance
- Funding Access: Connect with investors and financing options
- Skills Training: Capacity building and mentorship
- Network Access: Connect with industry partners and peers
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a university student in Kenya.
- The application must be in the ideation stage.
- The application must clearly demonstrate how it addresses an environmental problem.
Evaluation Criteria
The following criteria and scoring system will be used for evaluation of the eligible applications for this call.
- Scalability – does the innovation show clear and compelling mission to grow a sustainable and commercially viable business
- Climate Impact – The extent to which the proposed business/product/technology has an impact on climate mitigation OR climate adaptation OR environmental benefits.
- Job Creation – The potential of the proposed business/product/technology towards job creation.
- Progress to date – has the applicant taken key steps to move the idea forward?
- Innovation – is the business innovative in the way it addresses an identified problem in the market / has a unique business model?
Application
For more information, visit KCIC Cleantech Innovation Competition.
