KCA University, Chandaria Foundation Launch KES 20 Million Innovation Centre to Empower Youth Entrepreneurs
By Shadrack Mutai
KCA University and the Chandaria Foundation have entered into a landmark partnership aimed at transforming young innovators into job creators through the establishment of the Chandaria Business Incubation and Innovation Centre, a KES 20 million initiative set to redefine entrepreneurship among Kenyan youth.
The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Agreement that will see the centre housed on the sixth floor of KCA University’s KES 8 billion state-of-the-art Multi-Level Academic Building. The facility is envisioned as a dynamic innovation hub where creative ideas will be nurtured, refined and commercialised into viable businesses capable of competing locally and globally.
Once operational, the centre will provide students and aspiring entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, entrepreneurship training, seed funding and strong industry linkages, creating an enabling environment for innovation to thrive. The initiative is designed to shift the mindset of young people from job-seeking to job-creation, positioning entrepreneurship as a practical solution to youth unemployment.
Speaking during the signing, Chandaria Foundation Trustee Dr. Chandaria said the investment reflects the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to youth empowerment and national self-reliance. He noted that innovation and entrepreneurship remain key pillars of sustainable development and economic transformation, adding that empowering young innovators goes beyond business creation to building a self-reliant nation. Dr. Chandaria said the centre will enable Kenyan youth to turn bold ideas into solutions that address real-world challenges, create employment and contribute meaningfully to the country’s prosperity.
The partnership comes at a critical time when many graduates continue to struggle to secure formal employment. By supporting start-ups, protecting intellectual property and facilitating global collaborations, the Chandaria Business Incubation and Innovation Centre aims to position itself as an international incubation hub capable of attracting venture capital and participating in global accelerator programmes.
KCA University Vice Chancellor and CEO Prof. Isaiah I.C. Wakindiki described the collaboration as a significant milestone in the university’s journey towards becoming a research, innovation and incubation-driven institution. He said the centre will create an ecosystem where academic excellence meets practical entrepreneurship, ensuring students graduate not only with theoretical knowledge but with the skills, confidence and support needed to build successful enterprises.
Prof. Wakindiki added that KCA University remains committed to fostering a culture of innovation that drives impactful research, advances knowledge and contributes to Kenya’s socio-economic development while upholding values of integrity, diversity and teamwork.
The incubation centre forms part of KCA University’s broader development agenda, which includes the implementation of phase one of its KES 8 billion masterplan, valued at KES 1.7 billion, under the institution’s 2024–2028 strategic plan. The plan seeks to provide world-class education while creating a holistic, student-centred environment that supports research, innovation and excellence.
The KCA UniversityChandaria Foundation partnership marks a bold step towards empowering the next generation of Kenyan entrepreneurs, reinforcing the belief that sustainable development begins by investing in young minds and turning ideas into opportunity.
