Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) Cleantech Innovation Competition 2026 for University Students in Kenya

Application Deadline: 10 August 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) Cleantech Innovation Competition, an innovation programme created to identify and support university students in Kenya who are developing creative solutions to environmental and climate challenges.

The competition is jointly organized by the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland in Kenya, SICPA, and Strathmore University. It is designed to help promising innovators transform early-stage ideas into practical, scalable businesses capable of creating environmental, social, and economic impact.

As climate change continues to affect communities across Africa, there is an increasing need for innovative technologies and business models that promote sustainability while creating employment opportunities. Through this competition, KCIC aims to empower young innovators with the knowledge, mentorship, networks, and business development support needed to move their ideas from concept to implementation.

• Host Organization: Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC), in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland in Kenya, SICPA, and Strathmore University.
• Programme Type: Cleantech Innovation Competition.
• Eligible Country: Kenya.
• Eligible Applicants: University students in Kenya with innovative ideas at the ideation stage.
• Focus Areas: Water, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Commercial Forestry, Waste Management, and other environmental sustainability solutions.
• Programme Support: Business acceleration, entrepreneurship training, mentorship, investor access, funding opportunities, capacity building, and networking with industry experts.
• Selection Focus: Innovations will be assessed based on scalability, climate and environmental impact, innovation, job creation potential, and progress made in developing the idea.
• Programme Goal: To help young innovators transform early-stage climate and environmental ideas into commercially viable businesses capable of delivering sustainable environmental, social, and economic impact.
• Application Fee: Free.
• Application Deadline: 10 August 2026.

Applicants are encouraged to submit innovations addressing challenges within the following sectors:

• Water
• Renewable Energy
• Energy Efficiency
• Climate-Smart Agriculture
• Commercial Forestry
• Waste Management

Innovations outside these sectors may also be considered provided they clearly address environmental sustainability or climate-related challenges.

The competition also supports innovations that contribute to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

• SDG 1 – No Poverty
• SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
• SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13 – Climate Action
• SDG 15 – Life on Land

Participants selected for the programme will receive a wide range of business and technical support designed to help transform innovative ideas into viable businesses.

Business Acceleration Support

Successful applicants will receive structured business development support aimed at strengthening their innovations. This includes guidance on refining business models, identifying market opportunities, validating customer needs, improving product development strategies, and preparing their businesses for sustainable growth.

Access to Funding Opportunities

Participants will gain exposure to investors, financing partners, and organizations supporting climate innovation. While the competition itself is primarily focused on venture development, innovators will have opportunities to connect with potential funders capable of supporting promising solutions.

Capacity Building and Mentorship

The programme offers extensive entrepreneurship training and mentorship from experienced business leaders, innovation experts, and professionals working within the cleantech sector. These mentorship opportunities help participants overcome common startup challenges while improving their entrepreneurial skills.

Networking Opportunities

Successful applicants will become part of Kenya's growing climate innovation ecosystem. They will have opportunities to interact with industry experts, innovation partners, fellow entrepreneurs, researchers, and organizations working to promote sustainable development across the country.

To be eligible for the competition, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Be currently enrolled as a university student in Kenya.
• Have an innovation that is still at the ideation stage.
• Present an idea that clearly addresses an environmental or climate-related problem.
• Demonstrate commitment to developing the innovation into a sustainable business solution.

Applicants should ensure that their proposed solution clearly explains the environmental challenge being addressed, how the innovation solves the problem, and the potential impact it could create if successfully implemented.

Eligible applications will undergo a competitive evaluation using several key assessment criteria.

Scalability

Judges will assess whether the innovation demonstrates the potential to grow into a commercially viable and sustainable business capable of serving a larger market beyond its initial target users.

Climate and Environmental Impact

Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which the proposed innovation contributes to climate change mitigation, climate adaptation, environmental protection, or sustainable resource management.

Job Creation Potential

The review panel will consider whether the innovation has the capacity to create employment opportunities either directly or indirectly as the business grows.

Progress to Date

Applicants should demonstrate that meaningful progress has already been made in developing the idea. This may include research, concept validation, prototype development, market testing, or other activities showing commitment to the project.

Innovation

The originality of the solution will also play an important role during evaluation. Judges will assess whether the proposed product, service, technology, or business model offers a unique approach to solving the identified problem.

Applications must be submitted online through the official Kenya Climate Innovation Center application portal before the application deadline.

Applicants will be required to complete an online application form by answering all mandatory questions. Personal information provided—including names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and other contact details—must be accurate and verifiable. Applicants are also responsible for informing KCIC if any of their contact information changes during the application or review process.

Once an application has been submitted, it cannot be edited or amended. Applicants are therefore encouraged to carefully review all information before completing their submission.

After submission, applicants will receive an acknowledgement through their preferred communication channel. Following the close of the application window, KCIC will begin reviewing all eligible applications before announcing shortlisted candidates.

Many innovative ideas never progress beyond the concept stage because young entrepreneurs often lack access to mentorship, business development support, funding opportunities, and professional networks.

The KCIC Cleantech Innovation Competition addresses these challenges by providing participants with access to an innovation ecosystem specifically designed to support climate-focused businesses. Rather than focusing solely on financial support, the programme equips participants with the practical knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, and industry connections needed to transform innovative ideas into sustainable enterprises.

For university students interested in entrepreneurship, climate action, renewable energy, agriculture, waste management, water solutions, or environmental sustainability, this competition offers an excellent opportunity to validate ideas, strengthen business skills, and connect with professionals capable of supporting future growth.

The deadline for submitting applications is 10 August 2026.

Interested applicants should submit their applications through the official Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) online application portal.

Applicants should ensure they complete all mandatory sections of the application form, provide accurate personal information, and submit their applications before the deadline. Since submitted applications cannot be modified, candidates are encouraged to carefully review every section before final submission.

NOTE:There is no application fee for this competition