HUBS In a scenario of high demand for the new and accelerated dynamics, many companies have found it difficult to innovate and remain competitive in the market. It is not difficult to find examples of highly profitable businesses in the past that have become outdated and, today, are little sought after by the public. Going against all that, the innovation hub offers a modern alternative to evolutionary stagnation. In these environments, what we find are different brains working together, people looking for solutions to existing problems and problems that will still arise. As a result, hubs provide innovation in a much more agile and broader way, since they provide the connection of a large ecosystem, in which companies, startups, universities and development institutions are inserted. In other words, there is the continuous and strategic interaction of different minds engaged, prepared and willing to innovate in projects. For years, Nairobi has been the cradle of technological innovation in Kenya, and the center of the country’s thriving tech ecosystem, famously known as Silicon Savannah. Most of the innovation spaces, incubation centers, accelerators, and maker labs were also concentrated in the capital making Nairobi an attractive spot for both technologists and investors. Africa is the future and the future is African. More than a thought, this highlights Africa's tremendous potential to advance its development. With the youngest population globally, African people will represent one-fifth of the world population by 2030. This population represents both a tremendous human capital stock and a large consumer market. By 2050, two out of every three people are likely to be living in cities. But we are already seeing how rapid urbanization strains city infrastructure; highlights the need for more efficient and effective public services; and creates demand for natural resources, including food, water and energy. It also gives rise to complex challenges surrounding governance: how to manage diverse populations living in close proximity, and at the same time, how to reduce climate impact, improve transportation and promote well-being. One way of tackling these pressing urban challenges is by leveraging our cities’ greatest asset: the collective intelligence of city residents. City dwellers possess first-hand knowledge of what works and what does not in their specific context. Collective intelligence is a crucial tool for designing and building more inclusive and livable cities – and will be key to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 11 to create more sustainable cities and communities. Implications of hubs to Kenya 1. Opportunities for the young Identifying new opportunities is important, especially for young people. They are the future leader, the backbone of the economy, and those that can imagine a different and more innovative world. They deserve every opportunity they can get and they need to be promoted for their work. Innovation Hubs are the perfect place for young people to refine and promote their ideas, enhance their knowledge on various matters and most important build their network. Some of the world’s most successful collaborations happened because of Innovation Hubs. 2. Gathering the knowledge We could easily say that these hubs are completely redefining the entrepreneurial ecosystem and in the best way possible. Apart from the biggest innovation hubs around the world such as FinTech in London, the Hardware and IoT Powerhouse in Shenzhen, China, or the Cybersecurity Expertise in Tel Aviv, smaller yet still very important innovation hubs are making their way towards the light. Innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs now have places to gather and start working. Places that have been specifically created to play the role of the host for new knowledge and even more innovation. Innovation hubs that are changing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. 3. Connecting through innovation Innovation hubs are filling the gap between entrepreneurs with great ideas and those with the expertise to make them a reality. According to studies conducted in early 2017 it has been observed that what young entrepreneurs missed the most was a place to gather, exchange ideas, and build collaborations. These massive endeavors are here to fix that problem. Apart from providing people with a place to gather and exchange ideas and opinions, innovation hubs are also a great place to store knowledge. It is no surprise that many innovations hubs act as incubators for entrepreneurial ventures. At the same time, they can provide innovative business with the necessary funding, networking events, and everything else they might need to take a step forward. 4. Innovation hubs made for entrepreneurs As an entrepreneur or a future innovator, you need a place that can inspire you. A place that can give you opportunities and can help you take your business idea to the next level. And an innovation hub is exactly what you need to be looking for. Many people have decided to start over in new places where innovation hubs thrive and they have seen an amazing change in their lives. Here is a questionnaire filled by one of the top innovation hub experts in Kenya Why is Africa becoming an increasingly popular region for innovation centers? A key reason for Africa’s prominence is the presence of a very strong digital talent pool. Kenya, for example, as our recent research with LinkedIn shows, is the largest supply of East Africa’s digital talent. Africa is also a very large market for global players, who are keen to establish themselves in this region and localize their offerings to cater to the unique and evolving needs of Africa’s consumers. Finally, there is an increasing number of thriving tech hubs across Africa. What do companies look for when choosing where to locate their innovation hubs? “Proximity to tech, business, and customers—each has its own importance. AT&T, for instance, has set up its “Foundries” in Silicon Valley and Israel to leverage the tech ecosystem, and in Plano and Atlanta to be close to business and customers. Availability of niche skills is another criterion. For example, New York and Boston have emerged as big data hotspots, while Israel is a frontrunner when it comes to cybersecurity. What advice can you give to companies looking to make the most out of their investments in innovation centers? “First, innovation centers need to define the right purpose and focus. Successful innovation centers avoid being trapped in routine projects as well as too futuristic initiatives. They focus on innovations that can be turned into commercial reality. Leadership is also a critical success factor. It is imperative that the leadership team nurture the innovation centers and champion its initiatives throughout the organization. Finally, innovation centers should always prove their value by demonstrating early wins and following through on the promise.” Are innovation hubs an integral part of digital transformation? What are the alternative approaches? “Innovation centers indeed represent a key pillar of digital transformation; most centers were created with the explicit mandate to accelerate digital innovations. The weaknesses of the traditional innovation models slow and often over-budget R&D approaches led companies to explore these new routes.” How can companies reduce the existing disconnect between innovation centers and the workplace? “There are three key levers you can use to create a strong link between the business and innovation centers. First, ownership you need to bring the business at an early stage to secure their support and closely involve them in the selection, scoping, and execution of innovation-center projects. Second, governance can make a significant difference as well. In certain cases, innovation centers are directly managed by the business and, as a result, are in sync with the business requirements. Third, location certain firms make sure to have innovation centers not solely in Nairobi, but also in locations that are important for the business. As such, they are close to innovation and operations.” Reference https://www.terena.org/publications/files/20090127-case-for-nrens.pdf. : http://www.cyroi.fr/category/pepiniere-entreprise/. : http://www.cyroi.fr/category/pepiniere-entreprise/. 53 Ibid. : http://www.ilabafrica.ac.ke/. : http://www.ibizafrica.co.ke/. : https://www.kenet.or.ke.
