3 Kenyan Startups Selected for Entrepreneurship Summit in Beijing

Three Kenyan startups have been selected to represent the country at a Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Beijing, scheduled for October 2025, following a newly established partnership between Konza Technopolis Development Authority and HICOOL, a global innovation platform based in China.

The three startups heading to Beijing include Composi.it, a waste-to-resource innovator; Ustawi Nutrition Care, which specializes in value-added mango and honey products; and Wable, known for its smart water management systems.

“These startups are solving real-world challenges, and their participation in HICOOL’s global forum will expose them to critical investment, incubation, and networking opportunities. This partnership is a major step in positioning Kenya as a launchpad for global tech innovation,” said Konza CEO John Paul Okwiri.

HICOOL’s CEO, Wu Yi, who led a delegation that toured the Kenyan startup showcase at the Konza fair, shared similar sentiments. “HICOOL is proud to collaborate with Konza Technopolis in bridging resources and talent between China and Africa. Together, we will empower entrepreneurs to innovate and scale globally,” said Wu.

The collaboration was formalized during the Silicon Savannah Startup Fair held at Konza Technopolis, where Konza CEO John Paul Okwiri and HICOOL CEO Wu Yi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting scientific, technological, and entrepreneurial ties between Kenya and China.

The MoU includes various initiatives: enabling Kenyan startup involvement in international competitions, providing incubation support through an innovation soft-landing program, and facilitating regular exchanges between tech companies, research institutions, and investors from both nations.

Konza Technopolis, located 60 kilometres southeast of Nairobi, is Kenya’s flagship smart city. Designed to drive digital infrastructure, science, and enterprise, it aims to contribute 2% to the country’s GDP.