By: Billy Branks Kaye

Billy Branks Kaye — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 06:32:18 +0000

Fake it until you make it.
The Silicon Savannah hype has brought a lot of investors , foreign businesses, international media attention and donors. Startups here are now in the eyes of the whole world , they will not all fail. Some will fail but those that fail will not stay down they will get up and try again.And sure it is very early to compare silicon valley with silcon savannah.

By: Isaac Rutenberg

Isaac Rutenberg — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 05:33:15 +0000

Something that is completely missing from this discussion is Intellectual Property (IP). Silicon Valley became what it is because they knew how to use IP rights to build business and attract investment. In fact, Silicon Valley has more IP lawyers than anywhere else in the US. Kenya is starting to take IP more seriously, although much of that is on the enforcement side – i.e., reduction of counterfeiting. While this is important, it is equally or more important for people to start acquiring more IP, particularly on an international scale. International IP is the best way to attract investment (VC, angel investors, licensees, etc.) from the really big sources of money (i.e., western companies and investment firms). A very small number of Kenyans acquire international IP or make any attempt to export home-grown technologies. Only when this changes will Kenya be in a position to replicate Silicon Valley’s success. Unfortunately, IP is not always a popular topic, particularly in the tech space. Only when this changes will Kenya be able to start acquiring IP on an international scale. If you want to learn more visit our website at http://www.cipit.org or come and visit CIPIT at Strathmore.

Comments on: Silicon Savannah: Hype or Reality? A recap of last week’s event

By: Billy Branks Kaye

By: Isaac Rutenberg