The Presidential Innovation Award (PIA) is a module of the Talanta Hela programme run by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Arts and Sports that intends to develop the entrepreneurial capacity of innovators across the country. It will recognise and award the innovative work of top innovators in the country within the national priority areas. This will encourage and support young people who are using their innovativeness, creativity and problem-solving skills to make a positive impact on society while becoming economically active. 

The goal of the Presidential Innovation Award is to promote innovation as a driver for socio-economic development through fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and commercialisation capabilities of Kenyan innovators. 

Below are the main objectives of the Presidential Innovation Award (PIA); 

1. Scout and identify the most promising innovative ideas and solutions from across the country. 
2. Showcase the most promising innovations and startups at the Kenya Innovation Week. 
3. Recognise the achievements of the most promising innovators and startups at the Jamhuri Day Celebration. 
4. Support the commercialization of the promising innovations through a Presidential accelerator program. 

The Presidential Innovation Award (PIA) intends to develop the entrepreneurial capacity of innovators across the country through scouting, recognizing and commercializing of the innovations along priority sectors of the National Government. 

Watch a video of H.E William Samoei Ruto setting in motion the Presidential Innovation Awards at the Talanta Hela Initiative Launch, https://youtu.be/Kh7kX9zCcFI?si=KDqHJYy2sJgJyN3s

To achieve this, the Presidential Innovation Award focuses on these priority areas; 

1. Food security and agriculture. 
2. Digital transformation. 
3. Healthcare. 
4. Entertainment and gaming. 
5. Climate action and green energy. 

Benefits to Winners 

1. Investor Readiness Workshop - The entire pool of finalists from all counties will undergo an investor-readiness and pitching training session during KIW to prepare them for the big stage. 
2. Angel Investor Workshop & Cocktail - The top 3 innovations per category will get a chance to attend an angel investor workshop and cocktail during the Kenya Innovation Week to give them a chance network and expose their ideas to a target audience that could support them. 
3. KIW Closing Ceremony Recognition - At the close of KIW, top winners from each county will also be recognised, including the top 3 winners per category. 
4. Recognition at Jamhuri Day - The Presidential awardees will be announced at the closing ceremony and be notified that their names will be called out during Jamhuri Day 
5. Presidential Dinner - The Presidential awardees will be invited to attend the Presidential Dinner at the close of Jamhuri Day 
6. Grants – The finalists will be awarded grants to further develop their products and commercialize them. 

Visit https://pia.innovationagency.go.ke/ to get started and be a part of this transformative journey. 

Together, let's innovate for a brighter future!