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Originally published by KBC County NewsFebruary 9, 2026
2d ago
Kenya’s Research-to-Commercialization Programme helps universities mobilise Ksh 605M, create jobs

A major programme designed to transform how Kenyan research reaches the market has demonstrated that systemic institutional reform is the key to unlocking innovation-led growth...
✨ Key Highlights
The Research-to-Commercialization (R2C) Programme in Kenya has successfully helped universities mobilize Ksh 605.6 million ($4.68 million) and create 438 jobs, with 76% held by women, by transforming how research reaches the market.
- The program, implemented by Viktoria Ventures and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), addressed Kenya's "innovation paradox" of high-quality research rarely translating into market-ready solutions.
- Stephen Gugu, co-founder and Director at ViKtoria Ventures, stated that "R2C helped shift commercialization from an abstract concept to an operational function within universities."
- 25 universities strengthened their research-to-commercialization systems, with 14 operational Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) established or strengthened, and 39 research-based innovations supported, including an additional 15 female innovators.
- The University of Kabianga demonstrated significant success by embedding commercialization into senior management decision-making, leading to faster IP decisions and stronger industry engagement.
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