NSC x WIN Innovation Hackathon ✨
Bridging the Gap From Displacement to Disruption
After the massive success of last year’s Street Economy Hackathon, we are back and we’re kicking it up a notch.
This year, we aren’t just looking at the streets; we’re looking at the future of the Refugee Ecosystem.
In partnership with the Women Impact Network (WIM), we are bringing together Nairobi’s brightest minds to bridge the gap between refugee talent and the global startup community. We have a massive emphasis this year on female innovators and refugee-led solutions.
The Challenge
Refugees possess incredible resilience and untapped skills, yet they face everyday hurdles that keep them on the fringes of the formal economy. We’re moving past grants and moving toward sustainable, revenue generating innovation.
We are opening up 30 extra seats this year due to high demand. If you want to build a solution that actually scales, this is where you need to be.
🧩 The Innovation Tracks
We’ve identified 5 critical everyday hurdles. Which one will you solve?
Skills as a Service: Turning informal talents (tailoring, tech, media) into a formal, trusted marketplace.
Information as a Business: Transforming fragmented data into a viable, revenue generating enterprise.
Financial Services for the Unbanked: Building the tools (digital wallets, alternative IDs) to bridge the banking gap.
Circular Economy as a Business: Moving from grant-funded cleanups to profitable waste-to-value models.
Education as an Economic Engine: Creating training models that lead directly to host-community employment.
⚡ What to Expect
The Lean Canvas Framework: You won't just idea bash. You’ll use our specialized Lean Canvas to build a model that is self-sufficient and not grant dependent.
Expert Mentorship: Work alongside industry leaders from NSC and WIM communities to refine your pitch.
High Stakes Pitching: Present your solution to a panel of judges. We’re looking for the secret sauce, that unique community advantage that makes your project impossible to copy.
Fuel for the Day: Complimentary food and drinks to keep the innovation flowing.
Prizes: Fantastic rewards for the most impactful and scalable solutions.
📅 Event Details
Date: Saturday, April 11th, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Sharp!)
Location: Shared once approved (Nairobi)
Emphasis: Female & Refugee innovators are highly encouraged to apply!
Registration closes March 27th! With only 30 extra seats, these will go fast. Don't just watch the future happen... build it!
Are you part of NSC? Please contact your admin for priority signup: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-club-nairobi