ACCESS Student Clubs Business Innovation Bootcamp 2026
ANNUAL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Theme : “Innovate for Impact: Sustaining Kenyan MSMEs through SDG 9”
Bootcamp Dates: 27th September to 1st October 2026
Venue: The Radix Hotel, Nairobi
Programme Overview
Eligibility: Any bonafide student groups/team from Mount Kenya University and the other 10 affiliate universities in Kenya.
Application Dates: 27thJuly2026to 27thAugust 2026
Submission Process: Submit To Your Respective Coordinator At Your Respective University
Notification Dates: Selected Team and Reserve Team will be notified by 7thAugust 2026
Selection: One Top Team from each University, with 2 team members and a Reserve Team
Nomination Criteria & Submission
- Working Prototype
The innovation must have a tangible, demonstrable prototype -physical product, digital tool, system design, or service model -that can be presented to industry partners and a panel of judges.
2. MSME Relevance
The innovation directly addresses a real challenge faced by Micro, Small or Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya, with a clear problem statement and validated need.
3. SDG 9 Alignment
The innovation contributes to SDG 9 goals: building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and/or fostering innovation.
4. Market Feasibility
The team can articulate a practicalbusiness model, even at an early stage.
5. Team Capability
Members of theteam have complementary skills relevant to the innovation (technical, business, communication) and can present confidently in English.
6. Innovation Originality
The idea is original, not a direct copy of existing products, and the team has intellectual ownership of the innovation.
Coordinators Contacts
1. Daystar University Mr. Charles Katua ckatua@daystar.ac.ke
2. Kabarak University Dr. Faith Yator fyator@kabarak.ac.ke
3. Karatina University Prof. Kellen Kiambati, kkiambati@karu.ac.ke
4. Kenyatta University Prof. Stephen Muathe Muathe.stephen@ku.ac.ke
5. Machakos University Dr. Erick Omuya Omuya.erick@mksu.ac.ke
6. Riara University Mr. Nicholas Mwaura nmwaura@riarauniversity.ac.ke
7. Strathmore University Dr. Njeri Ngaruiya mngaruiya@strathmore.edu
8. Technical University of Kenya Dr. Ruth Ruhiu, Ruth.ruhiu@tukenya.ac.ke
9. Zetech University Ms. Esther Mwangi, Esther.Mwangi@zetech.ac.ke
10. Tharaka University Dr. James Nyamu jimnyamu71@gmail.com
11. Mount Kenya University Mr. Donatus Njoroge, dnjoroge@mku.ac.ke
Submit general enquiries to: hyatich@mku.ac.keHost: Mount Kenya University · ACCESS 2.0 Project
