Kenyan businesses are being urged to collaborate more closely with universities for research and development to foster growth and overcome challenges such as lack of finance and market access. This initiative aims to reduce the high mortality rate of startups, with roughly 75% failing within their first two years.

• The Jiinue Accelerator program connects businesses with university teams, allowing students to tackle operational challenges as research projects, providing companies with tailored solutions.
• Mike Mutungi, CEO of I Choose Life Africa, highlighted that universities are ideal for innovation, especially since most businesses lack the capacity to invest in R&D.
• The program has already engaged 13 universities and various companies across different sectors, with support from collaborators like Konza Technopolis and Swedish investors.