Fie_Labs

12/08/2026

👏👏👏👍👍

We are proud to introduce our Regional Leads and Co-Leads for the 2026 to 2029 term, consisting of the men and women who will serve as the bridge between our national network and the hubs and communities in .

🔵 South Eastern and Metropolitan Region:
Preston Mule (Ubunifu Hub Machakos) and Jesse Mogere (kayana)

🔵 Lake Basin Region:
Leah Nyambuche (Fie_Labs) and James O. Odhiambo (Sustainable Rural Initiatives)

🔵 Aberdares and Mt Kenya Region:
Joyce Wangeci Rubuya (Erevu Innovation Hub) and Festus Oduor Ndege MISK (Dehub)

🔵 Coastal Region:
Amani Katana (Youth Empowerment Program Initiative and Nadhifa Jama (IOMe Innovation Centre)

🔵 North Rift Region:
Namatsi Lukoye (ESPA) and Samwel Kimani (Tumaini Innovation Center)

🔵 South and Central Rift Region:
Susan Murugi (Nakuru Box) and Wesley Kijedi (CoELIB)

🔵 North Eastern Region:
Abdullahi Mire (Dadaab Hub) and Diramu Haji ( Youth Innovation Hub)

Their mandate is to connect hubs, convene communities, build partnerships, and ensure that every region of Kenya is visible and active in the national innovation conversation.

Welcome to the team 💪

07/08/2026

Session 8 of our AgriTech Incubation Programme, where we took a deep dive into a critical, yet often daunting, phase for early-stage ventures: Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance for Startups (Kenyan Context).

Led by Farhia Jam​a, to build sustainable, investor-ready AgriTech solutions, understanding the legal landscape isn't optional—it’s foundational. During this session, our founders explored:

​🔍 Defining Legal Audits: Reviewing internal operations, identifying compliance risks, and safeguarding assets before scaling.

🏢 Navigating Business Vehicles: Breaking down structural options under Kenyan law—from Sole Proprietorships to Limited Liability Companies—to choose the right legal vehicle for growth.

📋 Managing Legal Obligations: Deciphering contracts, statutory compliance, tax requirements, and duty of care to stakeholders.

​A strong idea gets you started, but robust compliance keeps you growing!

​💡 Looking Ahead to Session 9!

Countrywide Hubs-Kenya Gusii Innovation Week Kisii University Kisii National Polytechnic Kenya National Innovation Agency Kilimoiq

03/08/2026

Tomorrow marks Session 8 of our AgriTech Incubation Programme, where we delve into one of the most critical pillars of building a scalable venture: Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance for Startups in Kenya.

Navigating Kenya’s regulatory landscape is essential for turning agricultural innovation into market-ready solutions.

In this session, our founders will explore key frameworks: Intellectual property protection, compliance standards, and contract management tailored to the local agrifood ecosystem.

By equipping our innovators with actionable legal clarity, we ensure their breakthroughs are built on a solid foundation to attract investment and drive sustainable impact.

Looking forward to insightful discussions and high-impact guidance!

Gusii Innovation Week Countrywide Hubs-Kenya Kisii University Kisii National Polytechnic Kenya National Innovation Agency

01/08/2026

🚀 Session 7: Financial Planning & Sustainability.

In agribusiness, passion plants the seed, but strong financial strategy fuels long-term growth, a topic that every founder must master to scale.

Our guest speaker led an impactful, actionable masterclass designed to equip our entrepreneurs with the financial tools needed to build resilient, investable agribusinesses.

💡 Key Takeaways from the Session:

a) Why Financial Planning Matters: Moving beyond short-term survival to build sustainable business models.

b) The Agribusiness Cash Flow Cycle: Navigating seasonality, delayed returns, and working capital needs unique to agriculture.

c) Burn Rate & Runway: Masterclass metrics on managing cash flow to ensure long-term stability.

d) Categorizing Startup Costs: Structuring capital expenses versus operational costs for better financial clarity.

e) Staying Lean: Operating efficiently without compromising on innovation or product quality.

f) Realistic Assumptions & Funding Needs: Grounding projections in market realities before seeking capital.

g) Diverse Funding Sources: Unlocking opportunities across grants, equity, debt, and blended finance.
Impact Investor Expectations: Understanding what ESG and impact-focused investors look for beyond financial returns.

A huge thank you to our expert speaker Myline Jeptoo for breaking down complex financial dynamics into actionable strategies for our cohort! 👏
To our innovators: keeping your finances grounded is what allows your vision to soar. Keep building! 🚜🌱

Gusii Innovation Week Kisii University Kisii National Polytechnic Countrywide Hubs-Kenya ASSEK Kenya National Innovation Agency Kilimoiq

29/07/2026

Session 6 of our AgriTech Incubation Programme, we focused on a critical milestone for every startup: Operations & Product Validation 💡🌱

Building a great prototype is only half the battle—validating that it works reliably in real-world conditions and aligns with user needs is where real traction begins.

During this session, our innovators dived deep into:
a) Refining Product Functionality: Ensuring solutions meet actual market demands through rigorous testing.
b)Streamlining Operational Workflows: Building scalable processes behind the tech.
c) User Feedback & Iteration: Leveraging early feedback to make data-driven product improvements.

A huge thank you to our mentors and facilitators for guiding our cohort through the mechanics of product validation and operational readiness. Watching these AgriTech solutions mature and prepare for real-world impact is incredibly inspiring!
Stay tuned as our founders continue to refine their solutions and get market-ready! 🚀✨

Kisii National Polytechnic AfriLabs Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Kisii University Countrywide Hubs-Kenya ASSEK Kenya National Innovation Agency Gusii Innovation Week

27/07/2026

Tomorrow, we continue our entrepreneurship incubation journey with Session 7: Financial Planning and Sustainability.

A great business idea is only the beginning. Long-term success depends on sound financial planning, disciplined decision-making, and building a business model that can thrive over time.

In this session, our entrepreneurs will explore how to:

a) Develop realistic financial plans and budgets.
b) Manage cash flow effectively.
c) Understand costs, pricing, and profitability.
c) Identify funding opportunities.
d) Build resilient and sustainable businesses.

We're looking forward to another engaging and practical session that equips our participants with the financial tools and mindset needed to turn promising ideas into sustainable enterprises.

See you tomorrow as we continue empowering entrepreneurs to build businesses that create lasting impact.


Gusii Innovation Week Kisii National Polytechnic Countrywide Hubs-Kenya Kenya National Innovation Agency ASSEK Family Bank Ltd Micro and Small Enterprises Authority - MSEA Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) AfriLabs Kisii University

25/07/2026

🌱 Transforming Agricultural Waste into Opportunity!

Did you know that banana plant stems—often discarded after harvest—can be turned into high-quality hair braids for the beauty industry?

That’s precisely what the Nyairabu Women Group is achieving through eco-friendly agribusiness value addition.

By processing banana fiber, they aren't just creating sustainable beauty products—they are actively driving local economic growth and championing environmental conservation.

Why Their Work Matters:

a) Women & Youth Empowerment: Providing sustainable income and skill development for local women and young people.

b)Circular Economy in Action:Diverting agricultural waste from landfills and turning raw biomass into valuable beauty products.

c) Sustainable Beauty:Offering natural, eco-conscious alternatives to synthetic materials in the beauty and hair industry.

Innovation doesn't always require high tech—sometimes, it starts by reimagining local resources to solve real-world community and environmental challenges.
Huge applause to the Nyairabu Women Group for leading the way in sustainable community development! 👏✨

Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) AfriLabs Kisii National Polytechnic Kisii University Kilimoiq Kenya National Innovation Agency Gusii Innovation Week Countrywide Hubs-Kenya ASSEK

13/07/2026

🌾 Transforming Bananas, Empowering Communities!🍌✨

Value addition isn't just a buzzword for the Nyairabu Women Group led by RUTH KERUBO —it’s a powerful engine for economic empowerment and community growth. By taking the humble banana fruit and unlocking its full potential, these incredible women are driving sustainable change from the ground up.

Through innovative processing, they are transforming local banana harvests into high-value products, including:
🥣 Nutritious Flour - for healthy porridge
😋 Crispy Banana Crisps - for a perfect snack
🍪 Delicious Cookies - loved by all ages
🍷 Premium Banana Wine - for a unique, local flavor
💡 The Impact: Beyond the Fruit
By shifting from selling raw produce to manufacturing premium value-added products, Nyairabu Women Group is effectively building a thriving local economy.
Creating Sustainable Employment:From farming and processing to packaging and marketing, this initiative has unlocked direct and indirect jobs for youth and women in the community.
Reducing Post-Harvest Losses:Ensuring farmers get a fair price for their yield while minimizing waste.
Fostering Financial Independence: Every packet of flour or bottle of wine sold directly contributes to the financial resilience of local households.
> "True empowerment happens when we look at what we already have and find ways to multiply its value."
>
We are incredibly proud to witness and support this journey of turning local resources into sustainable livelihoods. Cheers to the Nyairabu Women Group for proving that the future of agribusiness is inclusive, innovative, and incredibly rewarding! 🚀


Ruth Kerubo Kenya National Innovation Agency Fie-Consult ASSEK Countrywide Hubs-Kenya Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Micro and Small Enterprises Authority - MSEA Family Bank Ltd AfriLabs Kisii National Polytechnic Kisii University Kilimoiq

10/07/2026

Transforming Waste to Wealth: How Kisii County’s Nyairabu Women Enterprise is Redefining the Banana Value Chain 🍌

Post-harvest loss is one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today, but a remarkable group of women in Kisii County, Kenya led by Ruth Kerubo , is proving that the solution lies in innovation and circular economy principles.

The Nyairabu Women Enterprise is taking banana farming to the next level by ensuring that absolutely nothing goes to waste. From the fruit to the leaves and the stems, they are adding incredible value and creating diverse, sustainable products:
🌾The Fruit: Processed into high-quality, nutritious banana Flour, crisps.
🍷 The Brew: Crafted into unique, locally sourced banana Wine.
🧵 The Stem & Leaves:Transformed into beautiful, eco-friendly mats, pads and baskets, as well as durable braids for utility and craft.

The Impact?
1. Zero Waste: They have drastically reduced post-harvest losses, maximizing the economic potential of every single banana plant.
2. Economic Empowerment:By building this value-addition ecosystem, the group has created vital employment opportunities and sustainable livelihoods for members of their community.
This is a masterclass in grassroots innovation, climate-smart agriculture, and women-led economic empowerment. When we invest in and support women enterprises, we aren't just supporting a business—we are uplifting entire communities.
Let’s celebrate and amplify the incredible work of these phenomenal women! 👏🇰🇪

Kisii National Polytechnic Kenya National Innovation Agency Countrywide Hubs-Kenya ASSEK Fie-Consult AFBAN - African Federation of Business Angels Networks Jeremy Riro RUTH KERUBO Micro and Small Enterprises Authority - MSEA Kisii University AfriLabs Kisii County Government Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Technopolis Development Authority Family Bank Ltd

09/07/2026

Week 4 of the AgriTech Incubation Programme: Cracking the Code on Business Models & Revenue Streams! 🌾💡

On Tuesday, our cohort dived deep into the core of sustainable growth. The theme of the session was all about moving from a great idea to a viable, scalable business:Business Models & Revenue Streams.

Innovation in agriculture isn’t just about creating groundbreaking technology—it’s about ensuring that technology can thrive in the market, deliver real value to farmers, and build a lasting economic foundation.

Key takeaways from the session:
Value-Driven Models: Aligning our solutions directly with the economic realities of the agricultural ecosystem.
Diversified Revenue Streams: Exploring B2B, SaaS, and marketplace models tailored for the agtech sector.
Scalability & Sustainability:Designing frameworks that don't just survive the incubation phase, but scale effectively across the supply chain.
A huge thank you to our incredible mentors and speakers for challenging our assumptions and helping us refine our strategic roadmaps. The energy virtually is a testament to the future of agriculture.
Onward to Week 5! 📈

ASSEK Davis Ogega HYACINTH ONCHANGU Talia Tamara Aron Barbra Robinson Crusoe Countrywide Hubs-Kenya Kisii University Google Developers Group Kisii Kenya National Innovation Agency Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Fie-Consult AfriLabs Nesta Nyamongo Micro and Small Enterprises Authority - MSEA Technopolis Development Authority