Mount Kenya University is proud to announce a remarkable achievement by our student innovators, Mr. Esbon Ogeto and Ms. Bettinah Maruti, whose start-up project “EcoBlue” emerged as the top investment-worthy innovation during the prestigious ACCESS 2.0 AGEA Competition held in Leipzig, Germany from 3rd September-12th September 2025 at the SEPT Competence Centre, Leipzig University.
This milestone was reached during the African Centre for Career Enhancement and Skills Support (ACCESS) program, where students from five African universities participated in a rigorous two-week entrepreneurship training at the SEPT Competence Centre. The program included sessions on business planning, market potential, financial modelling, and pitch development, culminating in a high-stakes pitch presentation where “EcoBlue” stood out as the most promising start-up.
Esbon and Bettinah’s success reflects MKU’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and addressing employability challenges among African youth. Through Access Kenya, MKU continues to build the next generation of innovators by offering mentorship, training, and global exposure.
To support the realization of their vision, the “EcoBlue” team will receive ongoing assistance from MKU’s Incubation and Innovation Centre, including:
- Prototype development and testing
- Guidance on securing a utility model and patent from Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI)
- Strategic support to access international markets, including the EU
In line with our mission to scale innovation, MKU and its 10 affiliate universities are organizing a national business innovation challenge titled: “Innovate for Impact: Scaling Kenyan MSMEs through SDG 9” Dates: October 19th–24th, 2025
This challenge invites student applicants to present solutions that empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya. Interested students are encouraged to submit their applications via MKU’s official Facebook page Apply to join ACCESS 2.0 Students… – Mount Kenya University | Facebook.
Let’s continue to celebrate and support the brilliance of our students as they transform ideas into impactful ventures.
Dr. Henry Yatich, ACCESS Project Coordinator
