- Three Kenyan startups have been selected for an incubation programme after winning the Cyber Security Hackathon at the just concluded Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Summit.
- The three startups, which are based in Mombasa include Bio Secure, Tide Safetynet and Seatrust Navigator.
- Sote Hub Founder David Ogiga says the three startups will receive six months technical and financial support to bring their ideas to life.
Three Kenyan startups have been selected for an incubation program after winning the Cyber Security Hackathon at the recently concluded Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Summit. The startups, based in Mombasa, include Bio Secure, Tide Safetynet, and Seatrust Navigator. Sote Hub Founder David Ogiga stated that these three startups would receive six months of technical and financial support to bring their ideas to life.
“Our focus for this year’s hackathon at the conference was circular economy, cyber security, blue economy, climate change, and the digital economy. These ideas are refreshing and scalable, and we will support them here at Sote Hub,” explained Ogiga.
Iris scanners and fingerprints
Bio Secure is creating a highly secure biometric system to replace traditional credit cards for ATM access, utilizing iris scanners and fingerprints to ensure authorized access to bank ATMs. This solution is not limited to banks but also extends to stores that use ATM cards.
Tide Safetynet is enhancing safety in the ocean by providing real-time ocean wave information, warning fishermen about high or low tides, and assisting swimmers in identifying safe days for swimming, effectively reducing the risk of accidents.
Seatrust Navigator is a web application platform that will facilitate cooperative registration, advertising, sales, and service access, fostering collaboration and business growth while mitigating the adverse effects of pollution on water bodies and marine life.
“We call upon young people to continue to innovate by coming up with more ideas that will help mitigate climate change and increase employment,” added Ogiga.
The Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Summit is a one-week series of events that aims to expand knowledge and opportunities for fostering the growth of the blue economy. Growing the blue economy will open up opportunities for new industries, innovation in new and improved technologies, and investment opportunities for entrepreneurs.
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Cyber security innovation
Youth Affairs and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba emphasized the role of young people in driving innovation and transformation, stating, “Young people in this community are now drivers of change. We have demonstrated time and again that our young people are innovators.”
He added, “I’m a firm believer in innovation. Innovation is the key to pushing the community, country, and continent to the next level. Innovation around new frontiers of development such as the blue economy.”
UN-Habitat Deputy Executive Director, Michal Mlynár, praised the power of innovation, coupled with citizen and youth involvement, as a driver for transformative change. He noted, “Innovation, when applied in the right context, is indeed a catalyst for change. Through science and innovation, communities will be able to better harness the blue economy’s potential for sustainable development.”
