Stronger Together:

KIEFF fostering collaboration for Kenyan innovation

About KIEFF

The Kenya Innovation Ecosystem Funders Forum (KIEFF) stands as a powerful collaborative force, uniting leading innovation grantmakers in Kenya. Our mission extends beyond simply granting funds. We aspire to cultivate a robust innovation ecosystem that fosters the successful commercialization of solutions and propels Kenya towards a sustainable future fueled by a thriving entrepreneurial spirit.

KIEFF goes beyond traditional grantmaking by fostering collaboration among funders, allowing for a strategic allocation of resources and ensuring a more impactful and coordinated approach. Our central focus is empowering universities to play a vital contributing role in Kenya’s innovation systems.

KIEFF Mission

KIEFF fosters collaboration among funders, ensuring strategic allocation of resources to enable universities to contribute to progress across the five key pillars of the Kenya Innovation Master Plan.

Human Capital: Developing a skilled innovation workforce

Access to Finance: Bridging the gap between innovators and funding

Access to Markets: Helping startups reach new markets

Infrastructure: Strengthening the foundation of the ecosystem

Policy: Advocating for policies that fuel innovation

KIEFF Members

KIEFF Approach

Collective Impact

Members combine expertise and resources to achieve greater impact than they could individually, then map their funding priorities against the shared needs within Kenyan Universities.

Fostering a Community

KIEFF provides a platform for funders to connect, build relationships, and explore collaborative initiatives as well as facilitates communication and knowledge exchange among members – fostering a more cohesive and impactful innovation ecosystem.

Amplify STEM-based Innovators

By collaborating with other funders’ initiatives and forums, KIEFF advocates for the inclusion of STEM-based innovators in strategic policy discussions within the Kenyan innovation ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies to be a KIEFF member?

An innovation grant maker who is (i) committed to strengthening the role of universities in contributing to Kenya’s innovation system, (ii) believes that innovation ecosystems cannot be effectively influenced by individual entities and is interested in collective impact, and (iii) interested in coordinating funding efforts and sharing knowledge with peers operating in Kenya.

If I am not a grant maker, how can I be involved in KIEFF?

KIEFF is interested in networking and exchanging learning with universities and any partners who are interested in enabling universities to contribute to progress across the five key pillars of the Kenya Innovation Master Plan: Human Capital, Access to Finance, Access to Markets, and Policy. In case you have interest in pursuing a partnership with KIEFF, please contact us through: khatuchi.khasandi@kieff.online.

How does KIEFF work with the Kenyan government?

KIEFF’s work interfaces with multiple government ministries, including Youth, Gender & Sports; Trade, Industry & Cooperatives; and Education, Science & Technology. The bilateral organizations within KIEFF have established intergovernmental agreements providing a structured approach to engaging with the Kenyan government. For now, KIEFF leverages these established relationships with members to engage with multiple government ministries on an as-needed basis. As KIEFF grows, it will continue exploring the most optimal structure for engaging with the Kenyan government.