Kuwait Innovation Center (KIC) and food delivery service Keeta have signed a memorandum of understanding to introduce the first edition of the Keeta Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (Kee) Project.
The technology-oriented entrepreneurship programme is directed towards coming up with viable, technology-related solutions to the food delivery industry.
The program will enable at least 50 local entrepreneurs, startups, and emerging talent to collaborate with Keeta platform expertise and KIC innovation resources to support solution growth in operational issues of the digital delivery ecosystem through mentorship and hands-on solution development.
The agreement allows KIC to co-design and deliver the programme with Keeta and mentor participants to create proof-of-concept solutions and scaled business models to meet market demands.
The project is launched under the strategic patronage of The National Fund, which is a national interest in enhancing the innovation system in Kuwait and fostering the growth led by small and medium-sized enterprises.
The programme will be structured with the open registration and community outreach being the first phase, which will be followed by the selection of the participants, a three-day intensive bootcamp, and the final pitching demo day and award ceremony.
Participants will gain mentorship and training in such domains as artificial intelligence, digital product development, design thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship, as well as be exposed to operational insights of the food delivery industry.
Winning teams will be identified during the final ceremony, receiving cash prizes, and top solutions may be discussed in terms of future collaboration and application opportunities with Keeta.
CEO of Kuwait Innovation Center, Mohammad Salah Alrefaei, said, “This collaboration reflects KIC’s commitment to enabling innovation that is practical, relevant, and aligned with market needs. By joining forces with Keeta, we are creating a platform where local talent can translate ideas into solutions that contribute to Kuwait’s digital economy.”
Max Qui, GM at Keeta, noted that the Kee programme demonstrates a valuable collaboration with KIC, whose familiarity with the local innovation environment provides an enabling platform to upcoming talent, whereas Keeta provides industry experience and operational expertise to assist in transforming ideas into solutions with tangible value.
The programme will be rolled out later this month, and the last pitching and awarding of the best will be done at the end of the month of December.
