The Directorate of Research and Innovation, through the SPU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Park (SPU iPARK) at St. Paul’s University, has officially concluded the Innovate for Impact 2026 conference. The flagship two-day gathering took place at the Students' Amphitheatre, Limuru Campus, spanning Wednesday, 30th September to Thursday, 1st October 2026.

Guided by the central theme, “Sustainable Innovation in the Circular and Green Economy in the 21st Century,” the conference convened a diverse coalition of student innovators, academic researchers, corporate executives, policymakers, and venture investors. Together, attendees explored actionable pathways to turn green concepts into scalable, market-ready enterprises capable of driving economic resilience while confronting critical environmental challenges across East Africa.

Two Days of Intensive Innovation, Tech Launches, and Youth Empowerment

The event unfolded across two specialized track days designed to bridge the gap between academic theory, digital innovation, and practical market deployment:

Day 1: KEPRO Innovation Challenge & Software Design Launch (Wed, 30th September 2026)

The opening day focused on extended producer responsibility, sustainable product packaging, and waste valorization. A key highlight was the official Software Design Launch, where developers and student teams showcased digital tools tailored for waste tracking, supply chain transparency, and recycling management. Participants competed in the KEPRO Innovation Challenge, pitching high-value solutions that convert agricultural and post-consumer waste into viable economic products.

Day 2: Green Careers Caravan Innovation Challenge (Thursday, 1st October 2026)

The second day shifted focus to youth capacity building, green job creation, and venture readiness. Through the Green Careers Caravan Innovation Challenge, young innovators presented prototypes in clean energy access, sustainable agriculture, and eco-friendly manufacturing. Expert panels provided feedback on business models, intellectual property protection, and commercial viability, guiding students on how to navigate the transition from university incubation to commercial execution.

Visionary Keynotes Call for Collaborative Action

The conference featured key addresses from prominent leaders across the circular economy and regional development sectors:

• Mr. James Odongo, CEO of KEPRO (Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization), emphasized the crucial role of private-sector collaboration and producer accountability in closing the loop on waste. He noted that real environmental impact requires corporate off-takers to actively adopt and invest in youth-led, local innovations.
• Prof. George Kosimbei, Director of the Regional Leadership Center East Africa, highlighted the necessity of data-driven research and transformative leadership. He urged universities to position themselves as dynamic incubators where research directly solves pressing community problems and powers sustainable regional supply chains.

Strategic Partnerships Driving Green Commercialization

The success of the event was reinforced by strong institutional backing from leading regional organizations across clean tech, finance, and sustainable development. Key partners included:

• Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC): Supporting early-stage clean tech ventures with business incubation and climate financing frameworks.
• Jacob’s Ladder Africa: Fostering youth leadership and green entrepreneurship pathways across the continent.
• Britam BetaLab: Connecting innovative corporate fintech and risk solutions to emerging green startups.
• KEPRO: Driving extended producer responsibility and waste-to-value supply chains.
• Foster & Coffeebee Nemrys: Promoting sustainable food systems, ethical sourcing, and local economic resilience.

Looking Ahead: Post-Conference Incubation and Growth

With the official conference proceedings concluded, SPU iPARK and its network of coalition partners will initiate the post-event mentorship phase. Shortlisted challenge teams and winning prototypes will receive direct access to seed support, technical mentorship, and incubation pipelines through SPU iPARK to bring their products to market.

For institutional inquiries, commercialization partnerships, or information on upcoming incubation cycles at SPU iPARK, reach out through the official contact channels:

• Toll-Free Telephone: 0800723000
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Official Website: www.spu.ac.ke