Seven youth-led Kenyan startups have secured Ksh31.5 million in funding to scale innovations tackling some of the country's biggest challenges, from plastic pollution and water scarcity to expensive cooking fuel and sustainable farming.
The funding, awarded by the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) in partnership with the I&M Foundation, will support seven enterprises selected from more than 700 applicants in the latest Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge.
Among the biggest beneficiaries is Twende Green Ecocycle from Mombasa, which transforms plastic waste collected from the ocean into durable and affordable school furniture, helping address both marine pollution and classroom infrastructure needs.
In Bungoma, Fibertext Green Paper Ltd is converting discarded banana stems and fibres into biodegradable paper packaging as an alternative to conventional paper products.
Nairobi-based Queening Afrika is giving discarded synthetic hair a second life by turning it into handbags, home décor products and other eco-friendly products, while Bio Regen from Murang'a is producing organic probiotic fertiliser aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture.
Other winners include Ecobora from Kajiado, which is developing solar cooking technologies to reduce reliance on charcoal and other conventional fuels, Ecobuild from Siaya, which converts hazardous mining waste into eco-bricks for affordable housing, and Majik Water Technologies from Murang'a, whose technology harvests moisture from the atmosphere to produce clean drinking water.
Collectively, the innovations seek to address growing concerns over waste management, access to clean energy, water shortages, sustainable agriculture and affordable housing while creating employment opportunities for young people.
Speaking during the announcement, I&M Bank Interim Chief Executive Officer Kihara Maina said the initiative is designed to help promising innovations grow beyond the prototype stage.
Maina stated "At I&M Bank and through the Foundation, we believe a financial institution's responsibility extends beyond financing transactions. We must help build the conditions in which people, businesses and communities can thrive over the long term."
He added that the Foundation intends to provide more than just financial support.
"By pairing financial grants with capacity strengthening and connections to expertise and markets, we want to help promising solutions become stronger, more measurable and more sustainable," he went on.
The awards marked the conclusion of the third edition of the innovation challenge, which has supported 24 youth-led environmental projects since its launch in 2023.
During the event, KCDF and the I&M Foundation also announced that the initiative will be expanded and rebranded as the Young Innovators Challenge, broadening its focus beyond environmental conservation to support youth-led solutions addressing a wider range of social and economic challenges across Kenya.