Nigerian innovation centre CcHub acquires Kenya’s iHub

Lagos-based innovation centre Co-creation Hub (CcHub) has acquired Nairobi-based tech innovation hub iHub for an undisclosed fee.

CcHub explained in a statement yesterday that the deal will see iHub’s team become part of its wider central support and strategy network while it retains its name and senior management structure.

CcHub co-founder Bosun Tijani (pictured above) will act as CEO across both locations.

As part of the acquisition CcHub said it will hire more staff in the areas of innovation consulting, people management, programme management and community support.

iHub was launched in 2010 and its startups have raised over $40-million in early and growth stage financing

The innovation centre is looking to strengthen its pan-African network and mobilise its far-reaching resources, network and relationships to accelerate the growth of technology innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa.

Kenya’s iHub home to recognised firms

Kenya’s iHub was launched in 2010, a year before CcHub. The Kenyan tech hub is home to internationally-recognised companies such as BRCK and Ushahidi, as well as startups such as Zayride, Eneza Education, Taimba and Optimetriks.

In addition, iHub has helped over 500 companies receive business support services, with more than 100 having gone through its incubation and accelerator programmes.

The hub’s managing director Nekesa Were said to date, iHub startups have raised over $40-million in early and growth stage financing. This, while the hub’s portfolio businesses have contributed over 40 000 jobs to the East African economy.

“CcHUB has an unrivalled track record of building out a dynamic tech ecosystem which extends past Nigeria. Similar to us, they have been committed to delivering impactful support services, at scale, supporting tech and business communities and driving social capital for economic prosperity in Africa.

“In short — they share our mission to make businesses and the business environment on the continent, better for all. We are very excited to work with them to support entrepreneurs transforming our communities,” said Were.

‘Long term admirers, collaborators’

Tijani said CcHub has been “long-term admirers and collaborators” of iHub’s community of developers, entrepreneurs and business people who he said have been instrumental in growing Kenya’s technology ecosystem.

He explained that CcHUB’s mandate is to build a formidable innovation ecosystem with a deeply rooted network, that cultivates strategic partnerships and practical industry know-how that can support entrepreneurs in building thoughtful, relevant and scalable solutions.

Since its launch in 2011, CcHub has partnered with companies such as Google for Start-ups, Facebook, Oracle and organisations including Omidyar Network and Ford Foundation.

CcHub has over the years built a community of over 14 000 people and has incubated and provided support to a portfolio of over 120 early-stage ventures, providing solutions to social problems with technology including Lifebank, Riby, BudgIT and WeCyclers.

In February the centre launched first CcHub Design Lab in Kigali, Rwanda (see this story).

Read more: CcHub planning on launching more Design Labs across the continent says founder

Featured image: CcHub co-founder Bosun Tijani (Supplied)