Kenya Climate innovation Center (KCIC) is thrilled to unveil the top 20 finalists drawn from the Kenyan edition of the 2024 Climate Launchpad Competition. This initiative, now in its 8th year, was founded to unlock the world’s cleantech potential that addresses climate change. The competition is renowned for spotlighting groundbreaking inventions and innovations that seek to tackle the negative impacts of climate change. The competition received 307 applications from across the country, with the 20 representing 47 counties. Climate Launchpad competition, the world’s largest green business idea competition, highlights the immense potential of innovative solutions in tackling environmental challenges.
This year’s global competition, supported by Climate-KIC and implemented in Kenya by KCIC, is aligned with KCIC’s mission to supporting early stage startups that create a positive climate and environmental impact move from ideation stage to commercialization with potential for scaling up. By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, KCIC aims to drive sustainable economic growth while addressing climate challenges. The Climate Launchpad competition embodies this mission by providing a platform for cleantech entrepreneurs to showcase their solutions and gain the support needed to scale their impact.
The selected themes for this year’s competition include renewable energy, energy efficiency, food and agriculture, water, transportation, and industrial technology. These themes are crucial in advancing Kenya’s economic growth agenda, particularly in fostering a green economy and creating green jobs for the youth in the country. Innovations in these areas not only contribute to environmental sustainability, but also drive economic development by generating employment opportunities and promoting sustainable practices.
Meet the Top 20 Enterprises for Semis and National Finals:
Coco Matchsticks an eco eco-friendly company specialises in the creative fusion of advanced chemical recycling through hydrothermal processing, paid plastic collection, and the manufacturing of biodegradable recycled plastic matchsticks made with coconut coir tips.
Bioplastic Composite produces sustainable alternative to conventional plastic packaging by creating a bioplastic composite derived from renewable sources like cassava tuber and sugarcane fibre.
Savana Pulp converts banana pseudo stems into sustainable tissue paper products, reducing deforestation and carbon emissions.
Azolla Organic Fertiliser focuses on leveraging the unique properties of the Azolla plant – to combat climate change – which has the ability to absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during its rapid growth cycle.
Ecolith Africa recycles lithium-ion cells from E-waste and transform them into battery packs for solar installations, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles.
E-Poultry Smart Brooder is a solar powered smart brooder, that has sensors and autoregulates its own temperatures as per the needs of the chicks during the first 2 months of the brooding stage which lowers the mortality rate of chicks at brooding stage by less than 1% and enhance use of clean energy.
Ecoworks GreenTek provides solutions to plastic waste management for county governments who in turn buy the pavers made from plastic waste to improve pave walks, market places, bus stations, playgrounds, and even drainage systems for runoff water and sewerage.
Pamba Feeds produces alternative bio-degradable bags made from banana stems.
Zenith Eco Ventures transforms glass waste, especially in communities and landfills, to conserve the environment by recycling the waste into creative and dazzling gifts. Some of the products include flower vases, jars, containers, coasters, countertops, and worktops.
Kijiji Kwetu shreds plastic waste into affordable eco-furniture and blocks and sell to flood-affected schools.
Eco Nasi an innovative materials science company that focuses on redefining by upcycling pineapple pulp waste into premium vegan leather that is sustainable and takes 180 days to fully decompose without leaving behind harmful microplastics or polluting the environment.
Ndakris Investments use the wasteful banana stem to produce environmentally friendly products to substitute the current non biodegradable ones in the market like affordable hair extensions, wigs, weaves, carrier bags and sanitary towels.
Zerobionic develops innovative prosthetic solutions that address climate change through recyclability and clean energy principles.
The Elavatech UpCycle Attire transforms plastic waste into sustainable fashion by converting discarded plastic bottles into high quality fabric.
Tide Rover By Global Tides produces tide rover, a groundbreaking renewable energy technology that harnesses tidal wave power to generate clean electricity.
Mazingira na Jamii a social enterprise dedicated to transforming water hyacinth, an invasive weed, into valuable products such as biofuel, organic fertilizer, and animal feed.
K-Tech specializes in the development and production of magnetic power generators, harnessing cutting edge technology to revolutionize the renewable energy sector.
Smart Irrigation System is developing a solar-powered, smart irrigation system designed to tackle climate change by optimizing water usage in agriculture integrating soil moisture sensors weather data, and automated controls to precisely deliver water to crops when needed reducing waste and conserving resources.
Biodegradable Plastics produces interlocking bricks and cabros -from plastic waste dumped in landfills – which are more versatile, and less expensive.
Re-Niang’ Tableware manufactures eco-friendly, PFAS-free bagasse disposable utensils. These utensils are made from plant-based waste (a by-product of sugar production), reducing reliance on plastic and promoting a circular economy. They are fully compostable, minimizing landfill waste and contributing to a greener future.
The top 20 finalists represent a diverse array of solutions aimed at addressing various climate challenges. Their innovations promise to contribute significantly to Kenya’s green economy by creating jobs, reducing environmental degradation, and promoting sustainable practices across different sectors. The CLP Kenya National Finals winners will be invited to pitch their ideas at the African regional finals. Only three innovations will advance from this National final to the African regionals. There are also cash prizes for the top three winners to help the most viable scale their businesses up.
To learn more about the Climate LaunchPad competition, including how to get involved in the future, please visit here: https://climatelaunchpad.org/
