Lithuania–Kenya innovation alliance: scaling women-led entrepreneurship
Tech-Park Kaunas has taken a decisive step towards fostering inclusive, high-impact entrepreneurship by partnering with Kenyatta University Women Economic Empowerment (KU WEE) Hub under the “Strengthening African Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystems” (SEADE) Twinning Program. The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, unites two innovation ecosystems under a shared conviction: when women entrepreneurs succeed, they become powerful catalysts for economic transformation.
In Kenya, women own more than 43% of micro and small enterprises. Yet, systemic barriers remain - from restricted access to finance, technology, and professional networks, to entrenched gender norms and disproportionate caregiving responsibilities. Globally, gender-responsive business incubation has proven to be an effective tool in addressing these challenges. Through this alliance, Tech-Park Kaunas and KU WEE Hub aim to co-create an incubation model that integrates the realities of women entrepreneurs, fostering sustainable growth both in Kenya and beyond.
As one of Lithuania’s leading science and technology parks, Tech-Park Kaunas brings to the partnership the expertise of supporting over 100 deep-tech companies in smart cities, medtech, green tech, spacetech, and creative industries. Its integration into global networks such as ESA Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC Lithuania), CERN Business Incubation Centre, the European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN), IASP association, and more networks fosters collaboration opportunities. The women’s business growth and incubation program Interreg BSR “BSI_4Women” brings valuable experience in startup pre-acceleration, offering unparalleled access to resources, mentors, and markets. This strategic advantage will be instrumental in shaping Kenya’s Nairobi County into a hub for gender-responsive entrepreneurship in Africa.
During the study visit to Kenya, Živilė Paužaitė, Head of Quality at Tech-Park Kaunas took part in peer learning sessions at the @Chandaria Business Innovation and Incubation Centre, high-level stakeholder forums, and strategy workshops, which helped set clear milestones for future collaboration.
“What makes this partnership unique is the meeting of two vibrant ecosystems ready to learn from each other,” noted Ž. Paužaitė. “Our experience in Europe shows that targeted incubation can unlock extraordinary potential when it is designed around the real-life circumstances of women founders. Together with KU WEE Hub, we are building a bridge that will not only empower entrepreneurs but also generate scalable solutions for inclusive growth.”
Looking ahead, KU WEE Hub, led by Prof. Judith Waudo, plans to scale its existing women-focused online training into a hybrid incubation model that blends digital learning with hands-on entrepreneurial support. With KU’s research already influencing national tourism and gender policies, and with the SEADE partnership paving the way for broader EU-Africa cooperation, this collaboration marks the beginning of a sustained, transformative journey. Far from a ceremonial visit, it is a commitment to long-term co-creation, where Lithuanian and Kenyan innovators work side by side to shape the future of women-led enterprise.
