TheFactor-Y has inked a deal with two universities and National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation to bridge the gap between intellectual property (IP) and commercialisation.
The Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Nairobi, United States International University-Africa and NACOSTI is expected to drive Kenya’s innovation agenda to new heights.
TheFactor-Y is a global leader in business scaling and innovation commercialisation,
TheFactor-Y will prioritise identifying and commercialising dormant patents held by inventors, start-ups, and institutions to unlock the untapped potential of idle IPs.
Proceeds from these projects will be deployed to funding of future initiatives, creating a self-sustaining model for innovation growth.
Speaking during the signing of the collaboration, TheFactor-Y’s Business Development Director Andre Varma said they will provide global investor access, robust IP protection, and risk-free pathways to commercialisation.
“This partnership represents a transformative step in unlocking the untapped potential of Kenya’s research and innovation sectors,” he said.
A representative from NACOSTI said the initiative ensures IP assets are not only protected but also scaled to create value for the inventors, the country, and the continent.
“Kenya’s intellectual property assets are a national treasure,” he said.
The collaboration emphasises the importance of aligning academia, industry, and government to accelerate the translation of research outputs into viable commercial solutions. Key areas of collaboration include biotechnology, renewable energy, water and sanitation, and agribusiness.
Kenya’s innovation ecosystem faces significant hurdles, including limited funding, weak linkages between research institutions and industry, and policy gaps in intellectual property management.
Many innovations, particularly in academia, fail to progress beyond the conceptual stage due to a lack of commercialization pathways.
By automating key processes and streamlining funding, monetisation, and distribution, The Factor-Y enables innovators to achieve rapid growth.
The collaboration is expected to catalyze Kenya’s innovation landscape by providing innovators with access to global networks and funding opportunities, monetising dormant IPs to create sustainable funding models for future research and development initiatives, and strengthening Kenya’s position as a regional hub for innovation and technology transfer.
signing of the MOU between University of Nairobi, USIU-Africa and National Commission for Science,Technology and Innovation 