Zero Hunger & Climate Innovation Platform: Connecting East Africa's Innovation Ecosystem for Lasting Impact
How can innovators, investors, researchers, businesses, policymakers and development partners work together to transform food systems and strengthen climate resilience? The Zero Hunger & Climate Innovation Platform is creating a space where these conversations turn into collaboration.
Innovation needs more than great ideas
Across East Africa, entrepreneurs and innovators are developing inspiring solutions to improve food security and strengthen resilience to climate change. From climate-smart irrigation technologies and renewable energy solutions to digital agriculture, sustainable food processing and market innovations.
Yet many promising ideas face similar barriers: Access to finance remains limited, opportunities to test and scale innovations are scarce, and innovators often struggle to connect with researchers, policymakers, corporates or development partners who could help bring their solutions to the next level.
The challenge is not a lack of innovation; it is that organizations working across the food systems landscape often operate in parallel rather than together. Valuable expertise exists – but opportunities for meaningful exchange and collaboration across sectors are still limited.
The Zero Hunger & Climate Innovation Platform was created to change exactly that.
Through its global innovation work, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) supports the development, testing, and scaling of innovative approaches that contribute to more resilient and sustainable food systems. The Zero Hunger & Climate Innovation Platform builds on this experience by creating a space where innovators can connect with the wider ecosystem and turn promising ideas into collaborative action.
Learn more about WHH’s Innovation work here.
Connecting people to unlock innovation
The Platform is a joint initiative of WHH Kenya and Circle Innovation. It is not another accelerator, incubator or funding programme. Instead, it intentionally works beyond traditional silos by connecting various stakeholders, because innovation scales faster when these actors work together.
The Platform brings together a diverse community of innovation ecosystem stakeholders including:
- Climate startups and innovators
- Local communities
- Private sector and corporate partners
- Banks, international investors and impact financiers
- Universities and research institutions
- NGOs and development organisations
- Policymakers and public sector actors
- Foundations and philanthropic donors
The objective is rather simple: create an environment where collaboration happens naturally and where different actors can jointly develop solutions that contribute to Zero Hunger and climate resilience across East Africa.
Instead of focusing solely on technology or individual innovations, the Platform focuses on the relationships that enable innovation to grow and create lasting impact.
From conversations to collaboration
On 17 June 2026, more than 20 representatives from across Kenya's innovation ecosystem came together in Nairobi for the soft launch of the Platform.
The afternoon deliberately looked different from a traditional conference.
Instead of long presentations, participants explored innovative networking formats designed to encourage genuine conversations across stakeholder groups. Innovation pitches sparked discussions around impact and scalability, while interactive matchmaking activities enabled participants to discover new collaboration opportunities and exchange ideas beyond their usual networks.
The room quickly filled with lively conversations, curiosity and energy. Investors spoke with entrepreneurs, researchers connected with businesses, development organizations exchanged ideas with policymakers, and new relationships began to emerge.
By the end of the afternoon, many participants had established new contacts and identified concrete opportunities for follow-up discussions – demonstrating the value of creating dedicated spaces for cross-sector collaboration.
Looking ahead: An Innovation Celebration in September
The launch event marked the beginning of the Platform's journey – and the next milestone is already in planning.
In September 2026, the Platform will host its next event: an Innovation Celebration, bringing together approximately 50–60 innovators, investors, researchers, businesses, policymakers, and development partners from across the region.
One highlight of the day will be the celebration of three Kenya-based winners of the Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge, recognizing their outstanding contributions to more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems. Their innovations will serve as inspiration for further exchange and collaboration across the ecosystem.
In keeping with the Platform's philosophy, the event itself is being co-created with members of the community, ensuring that it reflects the interests, ideas and priorities of the ecosystem.
Join a growing community
The Zero Hunger & Climate Innovation Platform is open to organizations and individuals working towards food security, climate resilience and innovation across East Africa.
Are you working on innovative solutions for food systems or climate resilience?
Whether you are an entrepreneur, investor, researcher, corporate, policymaker or development practitioner, we invite you to become part of the growing Zero Hunger & Climate Innovation Platform community.
Download the Platform flyer to learn more about the initiative.
Register here to join the community and stay informed about future events, networking opportunities and collaborative activities.
Together, we can build stronger connections, accelerate innovation and create lasting impact for Zero Hunger and climate resilience in East Africa.
What is the Platform?
- A collaborative network for innovation and action to advance Zero Hunger and climate resilience in East Africa through strong collaboration that delvers real results.
- The platform enables partners to test innovations, build credible businesses, move solutions to investments.
- It combines WHH’s food systems expertise and deep roots in communities on the ground with Circle Innovation’s business, climate innovation and market expertise.
