Cleantech in Kenya: Summer Start-Up Project (SSUP)

Our Summer Start-Up tour (SSUP) started with the idea to explore the clean technology landscape in Kenya and learn about the best practices in the region. As a team of three MBA’24D students — Shubhaangi, Yoram, and Hector — we came together with diverse backgrounds, including sustainability, strategy consulting, and international development. Our mission was simple but ambitious: to assess the attractiveness of the East African clean-tech ecosystem, compare it with Europe, and identify key opportunities for cross-pollination between both regions.

Building the Team and Planning the Tour

The SSUP project emerged from our shared passion for sustainable development and our fascination with East Africa’s growing market potential. Our focus was on the vibrant Kenyan cleantech ecosystem, particularly in sectors such as carbon offsetting, carbon removal, waste-to-energy, and waste management. After conducting thorough research, we identified key players in the ecosystem, including start-ups and investors who could provide us with insights during our physical visits to Kenya and virtual meetings with European experts. The plan was to explore not only start-ups but also larger industry players and investors who shape this burgeoning ecosystem.

Key Meetings and Interviews

During our time in Kenya, we met with several innovative start-ups and stakeholders. A standout example was Pyramidia Ventures, a venture studio building climate-smart agtech companies across Africa. Their portfolio company, Stable Foods, has developed a solar-powered drip irrigation system, significantly improving crop yields for farmers while reducing land use and deforestation. We also had the pleasure of speaking with key figures from companies like Victory Farms, a fast-growing sustainable aquaculture company, and Octavia Carbon, a start-up deploying direct air carbon capture technology to permanently remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Their efforts highlighted Kenya’s potential to become a leader in clean-tech innovation. 

Our Findings and Key Insights

Our findings reinforced the idea that East Africa, and particularly Kenya, is an exciting space for clean-tech innovation. The region’s fast-growing urban population and rising incomes are creating a significant market for sustainable solutions. There is also increasing interest from investors, especially those focused on impact investing, who are looking for opportunities to fund sustainable ventures.

However, one of the key takeaways from our research and interviews was the importance of context. It is essential for start-ups in Kenya to develop solutions tailored to local needs, rather than trying to replicate Western business models. Entrepreneurs should stay grounded in solving real, everyday challenges.

We also found that the Kenyan start-up ecosystem faces certain challenges, including regulatory hurdles and the need for stronger infrastructure to support scale. Despite these constraints, there is great optimism for the future, especially with Kenya positioning itself as a hub for sustainable innovation in Africa.

Next Steps and Reflections

Our journey through the SSUP has been eye-opening, and we are eager to see how these innovative start-ups evolve in the coming years. Kenya’s cleantech landscape is poised for growth, and we are proud to have played a small part in uncovering its potential.

Written by SSUP team ‘Clean Energy Crew’, students (MBA’24D) Hector Bagley, Shubhaangi Mahajan, Yoram Mekking