MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY INNOVATION CHALLENGE, 2022

THEME: RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1.0 Background

Mount Kenya University has positioned itself as a beacon of excellence in responding to national development initiatives as contained in Vision 2030 through forging partnerships with key stakeholders to advance research, innovation and Entrepreneurship development. The university Research and Innovation fund is geared towards development of capacity, promotion of research, innovation and entrepreneurship through innovation ideation, product development, business pitching and forging partnerships for socio-economic development.

2.0 Objective of the call

The purpose of the innovation challenge is to provide an opportunity for Kenyans to provide their innovations that will lead to groundbreaking products and services.

The innovations could include scaling-up of new products, technologies, processes and services and bringing them closer to the market for accelerated industrial and socio-economic development in the country.

This call seeks concrete scientific and technological innovations to achieve the followings five sustainable development goals (SDGs)

a.         GOAL 1: No Poverty

b.         GOAL 2: Zero Hunger.

c.          GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being.

d.         GOAL 4: Quality Education.

e.         GOAL 10: Reduced Inequalities

3.0       Eligibility

This is a competitive innovation grant managed by Mount Kenya University’s Directorate of Research and Innovation. To be eligible:

a) The applicant must be a Kenyan.

b) The proposed innovation must demonstrate:

I.          Contribution towards new/improved quality product or services

II.         Potential for patenting

III.        Positive impact to the society.

 c) The candidate must demonstrate willingness to be attend an accelerator program at the MKU innovation and Incubation Centre

d) Applications must be received before/on the stated deadline at 11.59 pm.

4.0 Benefits

• First Prize Winner will receive Ksh.400000 First Runners-up, Ksh 250000 and Second Runners-Up Ksh 150,000 (NB. The Prize will solely be utilized for product/service development)
• Top 20 innovations will be incubated for 6 months at Mount Kenya Innovation and Incubation Centre and receive support value of up-to Ksh 2,000,000 for all innovations.
• The incubation package will include access to the facility, customized coaching by experts, access to state of the art equipment’s and assistance in intellectual property protection and commercialization.

  5.0 Evaluation Criteria

A panel of judges will review each idea and determine the winners based on Impact, Sustainability, creativity, scalability, versatility, uniqueness and the possibility for making a positive contribution to the global community

  6.0 Notification

The Shortlisted finalists will be invited to pitch at MKU Innovation and Incubation Centre in front of audience and prestigious panel of judges. The presentations will be followed by feedback from the judges and Award Ceremony.

  7.0 Application submission process

All applications should be submitted through this link https://bit.ly/3JrGU00.

Note: No hard Copies will be accepted. All applications should be filled directly in the portal above.

Deadline for submissions is 18^th March 2022, Time: 11.59pm (EAT)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

1. This agreement is between the signatory indicated below (“the participant”) and Mount Kenya University, a Chartered Private University (“the operators”) implementing Mount Kenya University Innovation challenge 2022.
2. The participant agrees unconditionally to further participation in the competition from the date of signature hereof in accordance participant with these specific terms and conditions, as well as the standard terms and conditions as contained in the Mount Kenya University Intellectual Property Policy.
3. The participant agrees to present him/herself at the time and place to be specified by the operators, for training and presentation of his/her business proposal to the competition-judging panel.
4. Failure to be present and attend the proceedings specified in clause 3 above, for any reason whatsoever, action shall be taken to constitute automatic withdrawal from participation in the competition and loss of finalist status, and the operators shall not be obliged to give further consideration to the finalist.
5. The participant agrees to abide by and follow the operators’ reasonable instructions and requirements with regard to attendance, availability, presentation, conduct and behavior that conforms with the conduct of the competition ; Further, conduct that brings the competition into disrepute, or failure to comply with the operators’ reasonable instructions and requests, shall constitute a breach of this agreement and the operators shall, at their sole discretion, be entitled to immediately terminate the finalist’s participation.
6. The participant agrees to accept and abide by the decision to the judges and the operators with regard to the evaluation, scoring and outcome of their presentation and submission.
7. The participant hereby unconditionally indemnifies the operators against any claim from the panelist in relation to:
   1. Their participation in the competition, including any claim related to the confidentiality of trade information or intellectual property;
   1. Any claim for personal injury, and loss of or damage to personal effects;
   1. Any claim in relation to the provision or non-provision of funding.

8. The participant accepts and acknowledges that the comments, observations and other communications made by the operators and judges in the course of the competition and judging process is not intended to be and does not constitute financial or business advice, and the finalist hereby unconditionally and without abrogation indemnifies the judges and operators against any claim whatsoever in relation to such comments, observations and communication, whether or not acted upon by the finalist.
9. The participant accepts and acknowledges, unconditionally and without abrogation, that:
   1. Participation in the competition, acceptance as a participant and selection as a winner in any category does not automatically entitle the finalist to loan, equity or any other type or form of funding;
   1. Any decision relating to the consideration of, approving, or failure to approve funding, of whatever nature, shall be at the sole discretion of the competition’s funding partners, and on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the funding partners at their sole discretion.
   1. Any consideration for funding shall be subject to the undertaking of a due diligence to the full satisfaction, however for the avoidance of doubt it is recorded that the satisfactory conclusion of a due diligence shall not oblige any funding partner to offer, make available or provide funding.