TECHgrow enters the next round – innovation funding for East African start-ups

In March 2025, TECHgrow will enter a new phase, continuing its collaboration with East African start-ups. After an intensive selection process from more than 200 applications, 13 startups from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda in areas such as GreenTech, Smart Manufacturing, HealthTech, and AgriTech have been accepted into the programme. TECHGrow is a module of the TECH4Transition project and focuses on strengthening the link between research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The two phases of the programme

Hybrid development programme

The programme consists of two phases. In the first phase, the selected start-ups take part in a tailor-made hybrid development programme organised by TECHgrow and its partners, such as Circle Innovation.

The start-ups are supported in both technical product development and business model development, which strengthens the overall innovative capacity of the participants.

Study trip to KIT

A highlight for the participants who make it to the second phase is a tailored study trip to KIT and the German innovation ecosystem, which gives the participants deeper insights into the research and corporate culture there. This phase builds on the experiences of the first phase and opens up further opportunities for the start-ups to scale their business models and products.

Aims of TECHGrow

The aim of the programme is not only to support start-ups in developing their business ideas, but also to facilitate access to advanced research and technology. Another key objective of TECHGrow is to promote collaboration between relevant stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem in East Africa and Germany and to enable the exchange of knowledge and experience. Peer-to-peer learning at various levels is also a focus.

TECHGrow not only offers participating start-ups valuable technical support, but also promotes long-term cooperation between Africa and Germany in the field of sustainable innovation. This is an important step towards strengthening entrepreneurship in East Africa and paving the way for new, sustainable solutions.

TECH4Transition was developed by the KIT and is being implemented in cooperation with GIZ.