How does one East African city compare to a major US city? Nairobi and Detroit have one major thing in common: both are premier places to harvest technology entrepreneurs. Detroit’s TechTown and Nairobi’s iHub offer a place where start-ups can mingle with established firms helping to spawn business innovation and technology solutions.
Although the two use different strategies, the main focus remains the same. And in with that technology exchange and networking, comes various focuses including alternative energy technology. TechTown, Detroit’s research and technology park, was established in 2000 when Wayne State University, General Motors, and the Henry Ford Health System joined to create an “engine of economic growth with both local and statewide impact.” The organization’s website says, “TechTown stimulates job growth and small-business creation by developing companies in emerging high-technology industries including advanced engineering, life sciences, and alternative energy.”
Similarly, iHub is an open innovation space with a 20 MB internet connection and Wi-Fi which is free to any technology person that has become a green member in Nairobi. It is the first of its kind in Kenya and hopes to be a “gallery of technologies that will emerge to revolutionize the Kenyan business scene.” The group said it is putting in place networks to give access to entrepreneurs and start-ups that need space to meet venture capitalists, investors, and local businesses. iHub’s site said, “We’re trying to create a place where seeds are planted and are easily found by the people with money to help them grow.”
What is exciting about iHub is that while similar to TechTown, this is the type of project that Africa needs in order to expand locally-derived technologies. The project’s location will be on the 4th floor of the Bishop Magua Center on Ngong Road (directly opposite of the Uchumi Hyper). It is close to public transportation, restaurants, and the city center.
Alternative Energy Africa is trying to reduce its own carbon footprint in 2011. Ask about our electronic subscriptions and online marketing campaigns specially tailored for individual companies.
