Category of Awards

NOMINATE NOW

ASSEK Innovation Awards

Date of Event: 3rd - 4th December 2024

Celebrating Excellence in Entrepreneurship Support

The ASSEK Innovation Awards are designed to celebrate and recognize entrepreneurship enablers who have significantly impacted the Kenyan startup and SME ecosystem. These awards acknowledge the contributions of incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs and other Entrepreneurship Support Organizations that provide critical support to startups and SMEs, enabling them to scale, create jobs, and drive sustainable development.

Why These Awards Matter

In a dynamic and raidly evolving economic landscape, Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs) play a critical role in promoting innovation, resilience, and growth within Kenya’s startup and SME sector. These organizations are the backbone of entrepreneurial success, providing startups and SMES with essential resources, mentorship, and strategic guidance that are often inaccessible otherwise. ESOs are instrumental in helping young businesses overcome early challenges, bridging knowledge gaps, and connecting with industry expertise and funding opportunities. Without the dedicated support of ESOs, who are often time not celebrated enough, many promising ventures struggle to survive or scale. The ASSEK Innovation Awards brings these contributions into the spotlight, recognizing the far reaching impact of ESO on Kenya’s entreprenuerial ecosystem and celebrating the dedication of these organizations put towards a brighter, more inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Awards Categories

Ecosystem Builder of the Year

For the organization that has played a leading role in promoting collaboration and growth within the Kenyan Innovation ecosystem.

Corporate Innovation Center of the Year

This award honors an innovation center within a corporate organization that develops and commercializes ideas by providing opportunities for SMEs/startups through programs and mentorship.

Accelerator of the Year

The awrd recognizes the accelerator that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in nurturing and scaling startups.

The Best SMEs investment initiative

This award honors the initiative that has demonstrated exceptional support for the growth and sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through innovative investment strategies.

The Best Startup Investor of the Year

This award celebrates the support organizations who have made remarkable impact on the startup ecosystem through strategic investments and valuable mentorship and resources that drive growth and innovation.

Best SME Support Initiative

This award recognizes the initiative that has made an outstanding contribution to the growth and resilience of of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through comprehensive support programs.

Sustainability & Impact Award

ESOs leading in sustainability and social impact attract international interest due to the global relevance of these issues, helping raise the profile of the ecosystem.

The Best University/TVET Innovation Hub

Recognizes a university or TVET innovation hub that has excelled in promoting innovation by providing an environment for innovators and researchers to collaborate and develop solutions.

Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award

This award honors organizations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to promoting inclusive entrepreneurship by empowering underrepresented groups such as women, youth, and marginalized communities.

Green Economy Champion of the Year

Recognizes organization that has made an extraordinary impact in promoting sustainable practices
and advancing the green economy by championing initiatives that reduce carbon footprints, promote renewable energy, and promote sustainable business models.

Innovative Policy Leadership Award

This award recognizes an organization that has demonstrated exceptional leadership in shaping policies that drive innovation and promote a conducive environment for entrepreneurship and economic growth.