Young Scientists Kenya
Young Scientists Kenya is a non-profit that runs a nationwide STEM program — county outreach, an annual National Science and Technology Exhibition, and a Winners' STEM Bootcamp — serving secondary school students and teachers across all 47 counties of Kenya.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersNairobi, Kenya
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Young Scientists Kenya does
Young Scientists Kenya (YSK) is a Nairobi-based non-profit education initiative established in 2017 through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education, Government of Kenya, and the Embassy of Ireland in Kenya. The organization delivers a three-pillar STEM education program — STEM Outreach & Mentorship, the annual National Science and Technology Exhibition, and the Winners' STEM Bootcamp — targeting secondary school students across all 47 Kenyan counties, with secondary school teachers as a parallel beneficiary segment. YSK is modeled on the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) in Ireland and operates under the patronage of President Kenyatta, with government agencies (notably the Kenya Industrial Property Institute, KIPI) mandated to provide free intellectual property support to winning student innovators.
YSK's underlying technology consists of a digital platform for project submissions, virtual event infrastructure (developed during a 2020-2021 digital pivot), and AI-focused educational content delivered through its Experience AI program. The exhibition is structured as a two-stage competition (abstract submission followed by full project) with independent judging across four categories: Technology, Social & Behavioural Sciences, Biology & Ecological Sciences, and Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences. The platform integrates with the Kolibri learning platform for career resources and operates under Kenya's Data Protection Act (DPR 2021) as a registered Data Processor and Data Controller.
YSK operates as a non-profit with no participation fees charged to students or schools. Funding flows from partnerships and sponsorships across government (Ministry of Education, RISA Fund / UK International Development, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Space Agency), corporate partners (Safaricom, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Kevian, Mombati Rolling Mills, Mombasa Cement, Umoja Shoe Company, Mzuri Sweets, SEACOM, Konvergenz, Old Mutual Investment Group), academia (Strathmore University), and international donors including Google.org ($300,000 grant, October 2024) and the Institute of Physics. The organization is governed by a board chaired by Ben Roberts (Group CTIO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies), with a lean secretariat led by National Director Dr. Eng. Victor Mwongera.
Young Scientists Kenya firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Young Scientists Kenya
- Legal name
- Innovative Young Scientists Kenya
- Website
- https://ysk.co.ke
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Young Scientists Kenya is a non-profit that runs a nationwide STEM program — county outreach, an annual National Science and Technology Exhibition, and a Winners' STEM Bootcamp — serving secondary school students and teachers across all 47 counties of Kenya.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Young Scientists Kenya industry classification
Industry- Product category
- STEM Education
- NAICS
- All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- STEM Research & Inquiry Programs (Research Mentorship, Science Fair Prep) (EDAMABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG), Biology & Life Science Enrichment (Biotech, Genetics, Anatomy) (EDAMABAF)
Keywords
Where Young Scientists Kenya is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nairobi
- HQ country
- Kenya
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
Young Scientists Kenya business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Partnership and Sponsorship Funding: YSK is a non-profit initiative funded through partnerships with government agencies (Embassy of Ireland, Ministry of Education), corporate sponsors (Safaricom, Liquid Intelligent Technologies), and foundations. No direct revenue is generated from student participation.
- Event Partnership and Support: Partners provide in-kind support including venue, equipment, awards, apprenticeships, and funding for program delivery.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Young Scientists Kenya product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Young Scientists Kenya operates a nationwide STEM education initiative that gives secondary school students across Kenya an opportunity to demonstrate innovation and showcase scientific talents. Its three core programs are the STEM Outreach & Mentorship Program (live demonstrations and career guidance across all 47 counties), the annual National Science and Technology Exhibition (a judged competition across four scientific categories), and the Winners' STEM Bootcamp (commercialization, IP, and entrepreneurship training for top winners), supported by a structured Awards Program.
Product overview
Young Scientists Kenya operates as a unified STEM education initiative with three interconnected core programs: the STEM Outreach & Mentorship Program (delivering hands-on demonstrations and career guidance to students across all 47 counties), the annual National Science and Technology Exhibition (providing a competitive platform for students to showcase research projects judged across four scientific categories), and the Winners' STEM Bootcamp (commercialization and entrepreneurship training for competition winners). The programs are supported by a structured Awards Program that incentivizes participation through cash prizes, scholarships, and technology devices. The organization functions as a platform connecting secondary school students with academic mentors, industry professionals, and institutional partners to foster STEM careers and innovation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- STEM Outreach & Mentorship Program A nationwide outreach program that exposes high school students and teachers across Kenya's 47 counties to science experiences, mentorship, career guidance, and inquiry-based STEM learning through live demonstrations and innovation activities.
- National Science and Technology Exhibition An annual premier platform for secondary school students to compete and showcase practical STEM solutions through a two-stage competition (abstract submission and full project), with independent judging across four scientific categories and award ceremonies.
- Winners' STEM Bootcamp An annual business bootcamp for national competition winners providing training in commercialization, enterprise development, intellectual property, patenting, and pitching skills, with industry mentorship and linkages to internship and scholarship opportunities.
- YSK Awards Program A structured awards system recognizing outstanding student STEM projects with cash prizes, trophies, scholarships, and smart devices across four category awards (Technology, Biological & Ecological Sciences, Chemical Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Social & Behavioural Sciences), plus special awards for innovation in EdTech, ASAL regions, STEM inclusivity, and IoT.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1,500 abstracts submitted annually
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Young Scientists Kenya
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Young Scientists Kenya technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature2 records
Young Scientists Kenya partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Embassy of Ireland in KenyacoreCo-founder of YSK, providing founding support and international connection to BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Ireland.
- Ministry of Education, KenyacoreCo-founder of YSK through MOU signed in 2017. Provides institutional support and national reach across Kenya's education system. Government agencies provide free support for all student Intellectual Property.
- Safaricom PLCcoreProvides smartphones for winners, headsets for participants, and BLAZE platform support. Key sponsor providing technology prizes and marketing visibility.
- Strathmore UniversitycoreSupports bootcamp by providing project analysis and direction for actualization. Faculty member Dr. Julius Butime serves on YSK Board as Dean of School of Computing and Engineering Sciences.
- Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI)coreProvides patent filing services at no cost for eligible student innovations. Supports IP actualization for winning projects.
- Liquid Intelligent TechnologiescoreCorporate partner providing support. Group CTIO Ben Roberts serves as Chair of YSK Board.
- Global MinimumminorPartner organization supporting STEM ecosystem development.
- Kenya Space AgencyminorGovernment agency partner supporting space science and technology initiatives.
- Institute of Physics (IOP)minorInternational scientific organization providing support for physics-related STEM education.
- Concern WorldwideminorHosts YSK office at Concern Worldwide Offices in Westlands, Nairobi.
- Science for Nature and Community Association CollaborationminorPartner providing sustainability focus and tree planting initiatives during outreach programs.
- Kenya Forest ServiceminorGovernment partner supporting environmental sustainability initiatives including tree planting.
- Mabati Rolling MillsminorIndustry partner providing site visits and industrial exposure for bootcamp participants.
- Swahilipot HubminorInnovation hub partner providing mentorship and workshop facilitation for bootcamp.
- Cadogan & Mugo LLP / Adroit LawminorLegal partner, with Partner Sheila Cadogan chairing IP & Actualisation Committee.
- Old Mutual Investment GroupminorFinancial services partner, with Group Managing Director Anthony Mwithiga chairing AFRM Committee.
- Sandrose LimitedminorProject management support through board member Magdalene Wanyaga.
- KonvergenzminorTechnology partner supporting YSK programs.
- KevianminorCorporate partner supporting YSK initiatives.
- Mombasa CementminorIndustry partner providing site visits for bootcamp participants.
- Umoja Shoe CompanyminorIndustry partner providing site visits and entrepreneurship exposure for bootcamp.
- Mzuri SweetsminorIndustry partner providing site visits for bootcamp participants.
- SEACOMminorTechnology/connectivity partner providing industry exposure for bootcamp participants.
- Nyali CinemaxminorProvides free movie screenings as entertainment for bootcamp participants.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Young Scientists Kenya competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF): Global K-12 STEM fair with affiliated regional/national partner fairs worldwide. YSK's exhibition structure (independent judging, category awards, winner selection) directly mirrors ISEF's affiliated-fair design, and YSK winners can be linked to international ISEF participation.
- FIRST Robotics: Global K-12 STEM engagement program operating in many countries including Kenya via partner chapters. Overlaps with YSK in targeting secondary school STEM participation, mentorship, and competition pathways, though with a robotics/engineering focus rather than open research.
- Science Olympiad: Established U.S. K-12 STEM competition with tournament structure and broad category coverage. Comparable as a long-running secondary school STEM competition format, though it focuses on team-based events rather than YSK's individual research projects.
- Samsung Solve for Tomorrow: Global corporate-sponsored student innovation competition with mentorship and prizes. Directly comparable to YSK's combination of corporate sponsorship (Safaricom/Liquid) and student project competitions.
Emerging players
- African Leadership University: Pan-African higher education institution with strong STEM and entrepreneurship focus, producing graduates who often emerge from student STEM competitions across Africa. Comparable as a downstream destination for YSK alumni and as a parallel African STEM talent developer.
Others
- Andela: Africa-focused technology talent development company that bridges African STEM talent to global employment. Adjacent peer, as Andela benefits from the same broader African STEM talent pipeline that YSK's competitions help cultivate at the secondary school level.
Direct peers
- Conrad Challenge: Multi-category student innovation competition that culminates in commercialization-style pitches and mentorship. Comparable to YSK's Winners' STEM Bootcamp, which similarly focuses on commercialization, IP, and pitching for top students.
- BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition: BTYSTE is the Irish national science fair on which Young Scientists Kenya is explicitly modeled and with which YSK maintains an ongoing collaboration through the Embassy of Ireland. Both run annual K-12 STEM competitions with county-level outreach, exhibitions, and winner pathways.
- Regeneron Science Talent Search: U.S. premier high-school STEM research competition with a judged project submission model, scholarship prizes, and alumni pipeline. Closely comparable to YSK's National Science and Technology Exhibition in format, judging, and demographic focus on secondary school innovators.
Regional players
- Moringa School: Kenyan-based tech and STEM vocational training provider with industry-linked curriculum. Comparable as a parallel Kenyan STEM education ecosystem player that draws from similar secondary school talent pools, but focused on job-ready tech training rather than pre-tertiary research competitions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Young Scientists Kenya social profiles
Digital presenceYoung Scientists Kenya financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Young Scientists Kenya leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Young Scientists Kenya funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
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Young Scientists Kenya M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Young Scientists Kenya
What does Young Scientists Kenya do?
Young Scientists Kenya operates a nationwide STEM education initiative that gives secondary school students across Kenya an opportunity to demonstrate innovation and showcase scientific talents. Its three core programs are the STEM Outreach & Mentorship Program (live demonstrations and career guidance across all 47 counties), the annual National Science and Technology Exhibition (a judged competition across four scientific categories), and the Winners' STEM Bootcamp (commercialization, IP, and entrepreneurship training for top winners), supported by a structured Awards Program.
Is Young Scientists Kenya a public or private company?
Young Scientists Kenya is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Young Scientists Kenya founded?
Young Scientists Kenya was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Young Scientists Kenya based?
Young Scientists Kenya is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, in the Africa region.
How does Young Scientists Kenya make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Partnership and Sponsorship Funding is the primary driver. The others are event Partnership and Support.
Who are Young Scientists Kenya's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), FIRST Robotics, Science Olympiad and Samsung Solve for Tomorrow. African Leadership University is listed as an emerging player. Andela is listed as an others. Direct peers are Conrad Challenge, BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition and Regeneron Science Talent Search. Moringa School is listed as a regional player.
Does Young Scientists Kenya have an API?
No public API is recorded for Young Scientists Kenya.
What industry is Young Scientists Kenya in?
Young Scientists Kenya's product category is STEM Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMABAC, STEM Research & Inquiry Programs (Research Mentorship, Science Fair Prep), with a secondary code of BPAGADAG, STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 61169 and its SIC code is 8200.