Next-Gen Technopreneur Summit
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Next-Gen Technopreneur Summit

JKUAT Main Campus, Juja, Kenya
March 13, 2026
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM (East Africa Time)
06
Days
03
Hours
57
Minutes
37
Seconds

From Campus to Unicorns – Tech Meets Hustle

The NextGen Technopreneur event is a premier innovation summit designed to ignite collaboration across the tech ecosystem. It unites industry leaders, disruptive startups, ambitious techpreneurs, and emerging student talent to explore transformative technologies and shape the future of digital innovation.

Event Highlights

Here are the topics and themes to expect at the event

Live Tech Demos

Live Tech Demos

Technopreneurship Masterclass

Technopreneurship Masterclass

Startup Showcases & Live Pitches

Startup Showcases & Live Pitches

Networking & Mentorship Fair

Networking & Mentorship Fair

Target Audience

We're targeting the following professionals, industry leaders and innovators seeking valuable insights

01

University students with innovative ideas or startups

02

Startup ecosystem players (incubators, accelerators, VCs, angel investors)

03

Alumni founders and tech professionals

04

Faculty and staff interested in innovation mentorship

Speakers

Prepare to be inspired and enlightened. We have assembled a lineup of industry pioneers, visionary leaders, and experienced practitioners ready to share the insights that are shaping the future.

CIO, Sarova Hotels & Resorts
Chief Data Officer, Africa, Absa Bank Kenya
CEO & Co-Founder, Everse Technology
Geoffrey 'GG' Gitagia
CIO, Avenue Healthcare Limited
Fractional CIO/CTO, AI Startups & Impact Orgs
Dr Joel Ongoto
Ag. Deputy Secretary General, Research & Resource Mobilisation, Kenya National Commission, UNESCO
SOC Analyst, Equity Bank Limited
CIO, Villasezi Resources
Co-founder, SpaceAI
Head of programs, Standard Foundation
Founder & CEO, Dalmas Creations Limited
Country Director, StartHub Africa
CIO, Car and General PLC
Senior Lecturer, Department of Computing Founder, JHUB Africa
Agenda
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Registration & Networking
9:00 AM - 9:20 AM
Opening Ceremony Facilitated by MC
9:20 AM - 9:40 AM
Keynote
AI Is Not The Future. It Is The Present
What AI actually is (beyond hype), where Kenya already uses AI (finance, agriculture, telecoms, government), The skills students should focus on now.
Michael
Michael Michie
CEO & Co-Founder, Everse Technology
9:40 AM - 10:00 AM
Keynote
Leading With Purpose
What does leadership look like before you hold a formal position? This keynote explores leadership as influence, the ability to inspire action, make responsible decisions, and serve others. For students preparing to enter a fast-changing world, the session will focus on ethics, accountability, and developing a leadership mindset early.
Deborah
Deborah Mutungi
CIO, Sarova Hotels & Resorts
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Panel Discussion
AI in Kenya: From Theory to Practice
Artificial intelligence is often taught in theory, but across Kenya it is increasingly being used to solve real problems and create new opportunities. This session explores how AI is moving from the classroom into practical use across different sectors, and what that shift means for students preparing to build, work with, and shape the next generation of technology.
Dr Joel
Dr Joel Ongoto
Ag. Deputy Secretary General, Research & Resource Mobilisation, Kenya National Commission, UNESCO
moderator
Timothy
Timothy Laku
Fractional CIO/CTO, AI Startups & Impact Orgs
panelist
Michael
Michael Michie
CEO & Co-Founder, Everse Technology
panelist
Dr. Lawrence
Dr. Lawrence Nderu
Senior Lecturer, Department of Computing Founder, JHUB Africa
panelist
10:30 AM - 10:50 AM
Keynote
Sovereign AI: Designing Systems That Serve Kenya First
As AI increasingly shapes sectors such as agriculture, finance, healthcare, and public services, Kenya has an opportunity to build systems that address its own challenges using local data, languages, and context. Young technologists have a role in developing solutions that reflect the needs of Kenyan communities rather than relying entirely on technology built elsewhere. Building these systems also requires responsibility ensuring ethics, data privacy, fairness, and long-term national interests remain at the center of innovation.
Munyala
Munyala Mwalo
Co-founder, SpaceAI
10:50 AM - 11:00 AM
BREAK
11:10 AM - 11:20 AM
You Built it...But is it Secure?
Students often learn how to build digital solutions but rarely consider security from the start. This session highlights the importance of integrating cybersecurity into product development, helping students understand common risks, the need to protect user data, and their responsibility as builders of digital tools.
11:20 AM - 11:40 AM
Keynote
Leadership 101: Why Leading Yourself Matters
Handling emotional intelligence, resilience, and mental well-being, managing failure, pressure, and ambition.
11:40 AM - 12:40 PM
Hackathon Winners Presentation Pitch
The winning hackathon teams will present their projects, outlining the problem they addressed, demonstrating how their solution works, and highlighting the potential impact of their ideas in solving real-world challenges.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
BREAK
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
GenAI: Practical AI Skills For Students
An exploration of how generative AI tools can be applied in everyday student work, from research and coding to content creation and problem-solving. The session highlights practical ways students can experiment with AI to build projects, enhance learning, and develop skills that are becoming essential in modern digital careers.
2:30 PM - 11:43 AM
Is Data Still The New Oil?
A conversation on the growing value of data in today’s digital economy and how it powers many of the platforms and technologies students interact with daily — from social media and mobile money to AI-driven services. The session explores how data is collected, analyzed, and transformed into insights that drive innovation, business decisions, and new digital products. It also highlights emerging opportunities in fields such as data science, analytics, and AI, while encouraging critical thinking around data ownership, privacy, and the responsible use of information in an increasingly data-driven world.
2:50 PM - 3:20 PM
Panel Discussion
Your Data is The New You: Who Are You When You're Reduced To Number?
The session examines how information generated through everyday online activity shapes digital identity and explores the implications of being represented through data. It also invites students to reflect on what it means to be represented through data, raising questions about privacy, control, and the balance between innovation and personal agency in an increasingly data-driven society.
Timothy
Timothy Laku
Fractional CIO/CTO, AI Startups & Impact Orgs
moderator
Hartnell
Hartnell Ndungi
Chief Data Officer, Africa, Absa Bank Kenya
panelist
Geoffrey
Geoffrey 'GG' Gitagia
CIO, Avenue Healthcare Limited
panelist
Timothy
Timothy Maenda
Country Director, StartHub Africa
panelist
3:20 PM - 3:50 PM
Panel Discussion
Lesson I Wish I Had Learned Earlier
An open conversation where experienced professionals reflect on the insights, challenges, and turning points that shaped their careers. Panelists will share practical lessons on navigating the early stages of a career, adapting to change, building meaningful skills, and making informed decisions about opportunities and growth. The discussion offers students a chance to gain perspective from real experiences and better understand the realities of working in the technology and innovation space.
Gilbert
Gilbert Mutai
CIO, Car and General PLC
panelist
Paul
Paul Njuguna
CIO, Villasezi Resources
panelist
Shawn
Shawn Dalmas
Founder & CEO, Dalmas Creations Limited
moderator
Dorine
Dorine Nalo
Head of programs, Standard Foundation
panelist
3:50 PM - 4:10 PM
The Future of Work: Building A Thriving Career In The Age of AI
Will AI Take Jobs or Transform Them? How can students future-proof their careers? Why Interdisciplinary skills matter.
4:10 PM - 4:40 PM
Panel Discussion
Closing Session: Student Reflection & Town Hall
An open floor for students to raise questions and share perspectives around mentorship, leadership, career growth, and opportunities in technology. It also provides a moment for speakers and industry leaders to offer final advice and reflections. A roving microphone will allow students to ask questions and share feedback on the sessions, speakers, and discussions from the day.
Mary
Mary Kambo
SOC Analyst, Equity Bank Limited
panelist
4:40 PM - 5:00 PM
Event Summary From the Event Organisers/ Student Council

Sponsorship Packages

Choose from our carefully designed sponsorship packages to maximize your brand visibility and engagement with Africa's technology leaders.

💎

Platinum

Ksh 500k
  • 30 minutes podium time in the main plenary
  • Regular mentions during course of the event
  • Name recognition in all press releases
  • Logo placement on main event page
  • Prominent name and logo placement on all event materials related to the event
  • Spacious exhibition booth
🏆

Gold

Ksh 300k
  • 15 minutes podium time in the main plenary
  • Regular mentions during course of the event
  • Name recognition in all press releases
  • Logo placement on main event page
  • Logo placement on the official event program
  • Spacious exhibition booth
🥈

Silver

Ksh 150k
  • 10 minutes podium time in the main plenary
  • Mentions during course of the event
  • Logo placement on main event page
  • Logo placement on the official event program
  • Spacious exhibition booth
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