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Thirteen young scientists from East Africa have completed a 10-day entrepreneurship boot camp, transforming laboratory research into investor-ready businesses aimed at tackling regional challenges in agriculture, food security, public health, and green manufacturing. The researchers showcased their innovations during the Biobased Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp (BIEB) organised by BioInnovate Africa, with between seven and ten of the most promising projects expected to receive seed funding and continued mentorship.

Thirteen young scientists from across East Africa have completed an intensive 10-day entrepreneurship boot camp, transforming laboratory research into investor-ready businesses aimed at tackling some of the regions biggest challenges in agriculture, food security, public health, and green manufacturing. The researchers, most of them masters and PhD students or recent graduates, showcased their innovations during the Biobased Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp (BIEB) organised by BioInnovate Africa at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) Duduville Campus in Nairobi.

The annual programme is designed to bridge the long-standing gap between academic research and the private sector by equipping young scientists with entrepreneurial skills. The boot camp brought together innovators from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while Rwanda and South Sudan were not represented this year despite being part of the programmes regional network.

The programme focuses on turning scientific discoveries into market-ready products capable of attracting investment. Participants spent seven days at icipe refining their innovations, identifying customers, validating market opportunities, and strengthening business models before embarking on a three-day learning tour in Arusha, Tanzania. The regional exposure included visits to the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) and large-scale manufacturers A-to-Z Group and Envsol Technology Limited.

The innovations presented reflected the growing diversity of Africa's emerging bioeconomy. Among the ventures were locally produced biofertilisers designed to reduce dependence on imported agricultural inputs, natural livestock probiotics, and other market-ready products capable of attracting investment. The programme concluded with a visit to the East African Community (EAC) headquarters, where participants learned how regional policies, cross-border partnerships, and shared scientific infrastructure can accelerate innovation across member states.