On 19 June 2025, Kenya showcased its climate-tech innovation at the Project NINJA Pitch & Investor Networking Reception, co-hosted by JICA, Factor[E], Delta40 Venture Studio, and Novastar Ventures. The event highlighted how Kenyan entrepreneurs are addressing pressing environmental challenges while building sustainable businesses. Leading Japanese conglomerates, including Mitsubishi, Toyota Tsusho, Mitsui, Marubeni, and Sojitz, attended, demonstrating strong international interest in Kenya’s tech ecosystem. The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) also opened the session, signaling robust public sector support for local climate-tech ventures. The reception provided a platform for innovators to pitch practical solutions tackling climate, energy, food, and environmental challenges in Africa.
Five standout ventures were featured, each offering transformative solutions. Farm to Feed, led by Claire van Enk, aggregates imperfect and surplus produce to reduce food loss, which affects nearly half of fruits and vegetables in Kenya. IBISA Network, represented by Wycliffe Kiplagat, empowers 6–7.5 million smallholder farmers through climate insurance and adaptation tools. VunaPay, founded by Gatwiri Njogu-Mokaya, digitizes payments for farmers, improving financial inclusion. Octavia Carbon, headed by Martin Freimüller, pioneers Direct Air Capture technology in Africa to remove CO₂ using Kenya’s renewable energy and geology. Sistema.bio, presented by Verena Bruegelmann, delivers bioenergy solutions to combat indoor air pollution, saving thousands of lives annually. Each venture demonstrated how innovation can simultaneously address environmental and social challenges while creating scalable business models.
The event also marked the prelude to Project NINJA, a six-week venture acceleration and mentorship program aimed at preparing high-potential companies for investment and growth. Part of the Startup Ecosystem Enhancement Project in East Africa, Project NINJA, scheduled to launch in August 2025, underscores the importance of accelerating climate-tech solutions in the region. By fostering collaboration among entrepreneurs, investors, and policy stakeholders, the initiative aims to position Kenya as a hub for sustainable innovation. The reception highlighted the critical role of venture support, mentorship, and investment in scaling climate action and achieving long-term environmental and economic impact across Africa.