Background
Kenya’s startup ecosystem continues to expand, but practical understanding of intellectual property remains uneven, particularly among early-stage firms. KIPI’s national IP awareness survey found an overall awareness index of 55 percent, while only 19 percent of respondents reported having an IP manager, IP policy, or prior assessment of IP value, and only 37 percent of those who had developed a new product or service had sought protection.
There are also recurring gaps among startups around patents, trademarks, copyright, ownership of code and inventions, and uncertainty about where to seek advice, especially within the startup ecosystem. For technology startups, these gaps create risks around ownership, commercialisation, licensing, investment readiness, and collaboration with employees, contractors, and partners.
The Event
Against this background, APRI’s Just Green Technology Transition Programme is convening a webinar on intellectual property awareness and governance for tech startups in Kenya to address persistent gaps in startup understanding of IP protection, ownership, and commercialisation. The session will feature an expert presentation, a panel discussion, and audience Q&A, with participation from legal, institutional, and startup ecosystem actors.
