Experts call for support to turn academic ideas into solutions

Researchers and education experts have called for funding to help innovators commercialise their work.

They raised concern that despite many groundbreaking innovations coming from academic research, the transition into products and services that improve lives while solving society’s needs is still wanting.

Speaking during the Central Rift Innovation Week held at Kabarak University, Nakuru county, they noted that while journal publications, patents, and conference presentations are essential, there was a need to look beyond them.

“For universities, research is not just about expanding knowledge, it’s about generating new ideas that lead to positive change.”

“But how do we ensure that these ideas do not just stay in the lab, gathering dust on shelves? How do we ensure that they make it out into the world where they can truly create value?”  Wangechi Wahome, a legal tech expert and CEO of Anza village said.

She said that while research generates the raw material for innovation, without commercialisation, its impact is limited to academia.

“The real value of research is when it is transformed into products or solutions that meet societal needs,” she added.

Wahome revealed that transitioning a new technology that has been developed to a point where it is marketable remains a challenge for many young innovators.

“Many researchers, brilliant as they are, struggle to make this leap because moving from an idea to a viable product requires a different set of skills and resources,” she said.
Wahome added; “Academic researchers are trained to push the boundaries of knowledge, but commercialisation involves understanding market needs, building partnerships, securing funding, navigating regulatory requirements, and crafting business strategies.”

She highlighted that lack of financial support to allow innovators to test their innovations and scale them remains one of the major challenges.

“In Kenya, we have unique challenges when it comes to commercialising research. Funding remains a significant barrier, as early-stage projects often struggle to secure investment.” said Wahome.

“Another challenge is policy support. As a country, we need policies that encourage greater investment, offer tax incentives for research institutions, and protect the intellectual property of innovators,”she said.

She added that, “Shifting the culture in academia to prioritise commercialization, alongside publishing research, is also essential.”

Unlike the yearly exhibition of innovations, Kabarak University Vice Chancellor Henry Kiplagat said that this year’s event was structured to allow learners with innovations to pitch their business ideas.

“The pitch in entrepreneurship was informed by an observation that a majority of these innovators, over time, could develop prototypes, but could not progress beyond that to commercialise them,” Prof Kiplagat said.

He said the current challenge lies in training the innovators to conceptualise ideas with customers in mind and build businesses from the ideas.

During the event, the judges will assess the innovators and identify those who qualify for various awards including coaching, mentorship, incubation, financing, and capacity building.

He called for collaborations between universities and industries to ensure that innovations are more closely aligned with market demands and have a smoother path to commercialization.

“Looking to the future, there are enormous opportunities in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and renewable energy. These areas have the potential to drive significant economic growth and improve lives across Kenya and beyond,” he added.