After months of very hardworking today NaiLab Incubation is opening its doors for a Sneak Preview!
Where Tech meets Society
NaiLab aims to support smart and business savvy Kenyan entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into viable businesses. NaiLab Incubator focuses on incubating knowledge driven (intelligent) businesses. The stereotypical NaiLab incubate consists of a team comprising a business graduate, an industry expert and an ICT expert. The incubates have a growth perspective, a positive vibe and are serving real needs.
In short, NaiLab is the incubator, where ICT meets the rest of the economy and society.
NaiLab is a fertile soil for aspiring entrepreneurs. We provide the physical and knowledge space where business minded teams grow intelligent companies. You create, co-create, learn, experiment and grow. We support your freedom to do what you are destined to do.
Cheetah Generation
The idea for NaiLab was born in Nairobi already a few years ago. We met a lot of young Kenyan people with new refreshing ideas to start a project or business. Too often, young Kenyan entrepreneurs, web developers, creatives, researchers and innovative thinkers (often referred to as the “Cheetah generation”) labour in isolation and with limited resources, working on the same or similar problems that someone, somewhere else has likely already solved.
They often have good ideas but lack professional business skills and have limited access to networks, businesses and investors to upscale their ideas. The idea behind NaiLab is to provide a space for exceptionally smart “doers” under one roof, provide them with a high quality work environment, generate ideas at a rapid pace, train and coach them and implement those that are of greatest potential impact.
Stimulate entrepreneurship
NaiLab aims to stimulate entrepreneurship through:
- providing a professional physical inspiring work environment.
- providing a professional training and coaching programme.
- providing access to role-models and professional networks
- providing a crowdsouring / crowdfunding platform
- fostering co-creation, co-operation and lateral thinking.
What does NaiLab have to offer?
- a 1,972 sq ft space on the top floor of a building in the centre of Nairobi
- a working space for on average 30-35 people:
- organic flexible working spaces that make it possible to work alone or in a team
- a meeting / workshop / brainstorm space
- a network of professionals, coaches and investors
- and – we hope very fast – internet / wifi
NaiLab is neigbouring *iHub, Nairobi’s tech innovation co-working space who started the ICT innovation wave in Nairobi, and is in the same building as the soon to be opened Mlab, the incubation centre for mobile apps. NaiLab is co-founder of AfriLabs.com, the network of African tech incubators and open collaboration spaces.
Who can apply for NaiLab Incubation?
Housemates:
Are you a small organization looking for space in an inspiring environment? Are you knowledge driven with a distinct and positive social impact? You are able to pay your operational costs and a share of the fixed costs. Then you can use NaiLab for 12 months max before making space for others. NaiLab offers you an excellent location, a table, chairs, wireless internet, sparring partners, frequent chance encounters, critical feedback and occasional support.
Readymades:
You have a business idea, a business plan and a team of at least three people to make it happen? Then we can offer you an excellent location for up to 18 months, inspiring office partners, regular support and training, as well as valuable feedback from people who know business. We also offer you direct access to relevant networks, potential clients and investors.
Seedlings:
You have a great idea and want to turn it into a business? You need a team and a place to work out your business plan and business model? Starting in the summer of 2011, we organize four workshops every year for people like you. We introduce you to likeminded people, business experts and others who may help you with your knowledge driven business. If you find at least two partners to team up with, we can offer you a space and the mentoring to turn your idea into a business plan within 10 weeks. If your idea is really good, you can become a readymade and enjoy the NaiLab benefits for another 18 months.
What is the role of 1%CLUB
As co-founder 1%CLUB we invest our knowledge, network and money in NaiLab for the first start up years.
Why? Because we love good ideas. Wherever they come from. We love to realize the potential in people across the world, and we are passionate advocates of the power and possibilities the internet offers. NaiLab offers an inspiring professional working space for people in Nairobi with Smart Ideas and through 1%CLUB we will connect them with People, Money and Knowledge around the world.
As 1%CLUB we would like to outsource a part of our web development and marketing activities to NaiLab and hope to work together with the best venture coming out of NaiLab Incubation. Of course it also a great spot to organize our 1%EVENT and Co-Creation workshops.
Sneak Preview
Today NaiLab will open its doors for a Sneak Preview. The NaiLab Sneak Preview will provide you with the opportunity to understand what NaiLab is all about. Familiarize yourself with the Incubation, Co-creation and Outreach programmes, meet the team and check out how you can be part of this groundbreaking initiative. For those of you that are not in Nairobi there will be a live stream where you can ask your questions.
Sam Gichuru and the rest of the NaiLab congratulations with the opening, we will be watching the livestream from the Open Data for Development Camp in Amsterdam!
