BUILDING AN INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY: A CASE OF KONZA TECHNOPOLIS
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: To present the role of collaborations and partnerships in building an innovation ecosystem and Circular Economy with a focus on the Konza innovation Ecosystem initiative. Innovation ecosystems and Circular Economy are economic engines for creating new ideas and scaling existing innovations. A circular economy just from the name is a production model that attempts to maximize the value of existing material resources by reusing, recycling, and refurbishing. This model of economy attempts to create a chain in which waste from one company becomes raw materials to the next company. The target is to have zero waste within the organization.
Statement of the Problem: Kenya’s innovation hubs are currently at a crossroads; at a high level, there need to be conversations about how the community can immediately plug into the existing government initiatives such as Konza Technopolis, Whitebox and the Kenya industry and entrepreneurship project as well as the SME credit guarantee scheme.
Result: The study contributes to the conceptual debate on innovation ecosystems by providing insights on how companies and research organizations collaborate in new non-linear and interdependent innovation ecosystems.
Conclusion: The paper concludes that collaboration comprises both learnings from existing knowledge and the creation of new knowledge to achieve competitiveness. The growth of the Konza innovation ecosystem is a clear testament that collaboration and partnerships are key components in building a vibrant innovation ecosystem.
Recommendation: This paper thus recommends the need to build strong collaborations and partnerships as a key enabler in the development of a vibrant innovation ecosystem and creation of circular economy. Promoting collaboration and building a stronger innovation ecosystem go together. It is then followed by a platform physical or virtual that enables linkages an environment and system where people can share their ideas, and get feedback, support others, and receive validation of their solutions.
Keywords: Innovation Ecosystem, Circular Economy, Konza, Technopolis, Collaborations, Partnerships
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