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{{Short description|Organization}}
{{Lowercase title}}
{{Lowercase title}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
| image = IHub_logo.png
| image = IHub_logo.png
| alt = <!-- alt text; see [[WP:ALT]] -->
| alt = <!-- alt text; see [[WP:ALT]] -->
| caption = An open space for the technologists, investors, tech companies and hackers in Nairobi.
| caption = An open space for the technologists, investors, tech companies and hackers in Nairobi.
| map = <!-- optional -->
| map = <!-- optional -->
| motto =
| motto =
| predecessor =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| successor =
| formation = 2010
| formation = 2010
| extinction =
| extinction =
| type = <!-- [[Governmental organization|GO]], NGO, [[Intergovernmental organization|IGO]], [[International nongovernmental organization|INGO]], etc -->
| type = <!-- [[Governmental organization|GO]], NGO, [[Intergovernmental organization|IGO]], [[International nongovernmental organization|INGO]], etc -->
| status =
| status =
| purpose = [[Hackerspace]]
| purpose = [[Hackerspace]]
| headquarters =
| headquarters =
| coords = <!-- Coordinates of location using a coordinates template -->
| coords = <!-- Coordinates of location using a coordinates template -->
| language = <!-- official languages -->
| language = <!-- official languages -->
| leader_title = Origin
| leader_title = Origin
| leader_name = Nairobi, Kenya
| leader_name = Nairobi, Kenya
| leader_title2 = Platforms
| leader_title2 = Platforms
| leader_name2 =
| leader_name2 =
| leader_name3 = [[Bosun Tijani]]
| leader_name3 = [[Bosun Tijani]]
| leader_title3 = CEO
| leader_title3 = CEO
| key_people =
| leader_title4 = Managing Director
| main_organ = <!-- gral. assembly, board of directors, etc -->
| leader_name4 = Nekesa Were
| key_people =
| main_organ = <!-- gral. assembly, board of directors, etc -->
| parent_organization = <!-- if one -->
| parent_organization = <!-- if one -->
| affiliations =
| affiliations =
| budget =
| budget =
| remarks =
| remarks =
| name = iHub
| name = iHub
| image_border =
| image_border =
| size = 150px
| size = 150px
| msize = <!-- map size, optional, default 250px -->
| msize = <!-- map size, optional, default 250px -->
| malt = <!-- map alt text -->
| malt = <!-- map alt text -->
| mcaption = <!-- optional -->
| mcaption = <!-- optional -->
| map2 =
| map2 =
| abbreviation =
| abbreviation =
| location = Senteu Plaza, [[Galana Road]], [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya]]
| location = Senteu Plaza, [[Galana Road]], [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya]]
| region_served =
| region_served =
| membership =
| membership =
| general = <!-- Secretary General -->
| general = <!-- Secretary General -->
| num_staff =
| num_staff =
| num_volunteers =
| num_volunteers =
| website = {{URL|ihub.co.ke}}
| website = {{URL|ihub.co.ke}}
| former name =
| former name =
}}
}}


'''iHub''' is an [[Innovation]] hub and [[hacker space]] for the technology community in Nairobi<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/11/ideas-bank/africas-hackers-are-todays-world-class-tech-innovators | date = 26 November 2012 | accessdate = 6 December 2015 | first = Ethan | last = Zuckerman | authorlink = Ethan Zuckerman | publisher = [[Wired (website)|Wired]] | title = Ethan Zuckerman: 'Africa's hackers are today's world-class tech innovators'}}</ref><ref name="prnewswire">{{cite news | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ibm-expands-reach-to-african-entrepreneurs-with-innovation-space--ihub-300118750.html | date = 25 July 2015 | accessdate = 6 December 2015 | publisher = [[PR Newswire]] | title = IBM Expands Reach to African Entrepreneurs with Innovation Space @ iHub}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/facebook-and-other-tech-giants-expand-internet-access-in-africa/?_r=0 | date = 26 July 2015 | accessdate = 6 December 2015 | first = Vindu | last = Goel | publisher = [[The New York Times]] | title = Facebook and Other Tech Giants Expand Internet Access in Africa}}</ref><ref name="guardian-anderson">{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jan/05/kenya-technology-entrepreneurs-konza-silicon-savannah | date = 5 January 2015 | accessdate = 20 November 2016 | first = Mark | last = Anderson | newspaper = [[The Guardian]] | location = London | title = Kenya's tech entrepreneurs shun Konza 'silicon savannah'}}</ref> was started in March 2010 by [[Erik Hersman]]<ref name="espinoza-wsj">{{cite news | url = https://blogs.wsj.com/frontiers/2014/04/29/african-tech-hubs-and-funds-hope-to-bridge-the-digital-divide/ | date = 29 April 2014 | accessdate = 6 December 2015 | first = Javier | last = Espinoza | publisher = [[The Wall Street Journal]] | title = African Tech Hubs and Funds Hope to Bridge the Digital Divide}}</ref> a blogger, [[TED Fellows|TED fellow]] and entrepreneur and acquired<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2019/09/26/nigerias-cchub-acquires-kenyas-ihub-to-create-mega-africa-incubator/|title=Nigeria’s CcHub acquires Kenya’s iHub to create mega Africa incubator|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref> by Co-creation Hub (CcHUB)<ref>{{Citation|title=Co-Creation Hub|date=2019-11-25|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Co-Creation_Hub&oldid=927878613|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref> in 2019. This [[coworking]] space, in Senteu Plaza<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.techweez.com/2016/12/08/ihub-set-move-locations-bishop-magua-building-senteu-plaza/|title=iHub set to Move Locations from Bishop Magua Building to Senteu Plaza|last=Wainaina|first=Eric|date=2016-12-08|website=Techweez|access-date=2017-05-12}}</ref> at the junction of Lenana and Galana Roads, is a nexus for technologists, investors, young entrepreneurs, designers, researchers and programmers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ihub.co.ke|title=The iHub - Technology Innovation Community|publisher=|accessdate=17 December 2016}}</ref>
'''iHub''' is an [[Innovation]] hub and [[hacker space]] for the technology community in Nairobi.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/11/ideas-bank/africas-hackers-are-todays-world-class-tech-innovators | date = 26 November 2012 | access-date = 6 December 2015 | first = Ethan | last = Zuckerman | authorlink = Ethan Zuckerman | publisher = [[Wired (website)|Wired]] | title = Ethan Zuckerman: 'Africa's hackers are today's world-class tech innovators'}}</ref><ref name="prnewswire">{{cite news | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ibm-expands-reach-to-african-entrepreneurs-with-innovation-space--ihub-300118750.html | date = 25 July 2015 | access-date = 6 December 2015 | publisher = [[PR Newswire]] | title = IBM Expands Reach to African Entrepreneurs with Innovation Space @ iHub}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/facebook-and-other-tech-giants-expand-internet-access-in-africa/?_r=0 | date = 26 July 2015 | access-date = 6 December 2015 | first = Vindu | last = Goel | work = [[The New York Times]] | title = Facebook and Other Tech Giants Expand Internet Access in Africa}}</ref><ref name="guardian-anderson">{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jan/05/kenya-technology-entrepreneurs-konza-silicon-savannah | date = 5 January 2015 | access-date = 20 November 2016 | first = Mark | last = Anderson | newspaper = [[The Guardian]] | location = London | title = Kenya's tech entrepreneurs shun Konza 'silicon savannah'}}</ref> It was started in March 2010 by [[Erik Hersman]],<ref name="espinoza-wsj">{{cite news | url = https://blogs.wsj.com/frontiers/2014/04/29/african-tech-hubs-and-funds-hope-to-bridge-the-digital-divide/ | date = 29 April 2014 | access-date = 6 December 2015 | first = Javier | last = Espinoza | publisher = [[The Wall Street Journal]] | title = African Tech Hubs and Funds Hope to Bridge the Digital Divide}}</ref> a blogger, [[TED Fellows|TED fellow]], and entrepreneur and acquired<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/26/nigerias-cchub-acquires-kenyas-ihub-to-create-mega-africa-incubator/|title=Nigeria's CcHub acquires Kenya's iHub to create mega Africa incubator|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-12}}</ref> by Co-creation Hub (CcHUB) in 2019. This [[coworking]] space, in Senteu Plaza<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.techweez.com/2016/12/08/ihub-set-move-locations-bishop-magua-building-senteu-plaza/|title=iHub set to Move Locations from Bishop Magua Building to Senteu Plaza|last=Wainaina|first=Eric|date=2016-12-08|website=Techweez|access-date=2017-05-12}}</ref> at the junction of Lenana and Galana Roads, is a nexus for technologists, investors, young entrepreneurs, designers, researchers and programmers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ihub.co.ke|title=The iHub - Technology Innovation Community|access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref>


iHub was a pioneering tech hub in Africa, but in 2014 was one of many technology hubs across the continent,<ref name="espinoza-wsj" /> with a dozen in Nairobi in 2015,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Is-Nairobi-no-longer-the-innovation-hub-of-Africa/-/2558/2854354/-/12rycd1/-/index.html | date = 2 September 2015 | accessdate = 7 December 2015 | first = Trevor | last = Analo | publisher = [[The EastAfrican]] | title = Is Nairobi no longer the innovation hub of Africa? }}</ref> and [[NaiLab]] operating within the same building until March 2017.
iHub was a pioneering tech hub in Africa, but in 2014 was one of many technology hubs across the continent,<ref name="espinoza-wsj" /> with a dozen in Nairobi in 2015,<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Is-Nairobi-no-longer-the-innovation-hub-of-Africa/-/2558/2854354/-/12rycd1/-/index.html | date = 2 September 2015 | access-date = 7 December 2015 | first = Trevor | last = Analo | publisher = [[The EastAfrican]] | title = Is Nairobi no longer the innovation hub of Africa? }}</ref> and [[NaiLab]] operating within the same building until March 2017.


==Facilities==
==Facilities==
iHub provides a space where members can receive mentorship, business support services, access to startup and product development related workshops and events, and the possibility of [[Venture capital financing|venture funding]] through connections with the local and international venture capital community.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kinyanjui|first=Kui|accessdate=23 October 2011|date=21 July 2011|title=Ihub Techies Roll the Dice As Venture Capitalists Place Bets on Inventions|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201107210824.html}}</ref> The space is a tech community facility with a focus on early stage entrepreneurs, web and mobile phone programmers, designers and researchers. It is part open community workspace (co-working),<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2015/08/18/nairobi_as_silicon_savannah_how_the_kenyan_capitol_grew_into_a_hub_for_digital.html | date = 18 August 2015 | accessdate = 6 December 2015 | first = Zoe | last = Henry | publisher = [[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] | title = Nairobi Used to Be a Terrible Place to Do Business. How Did It Transform Into a Tech Hub?}}</ref> part vector for investors and venture capitalists, and part incubator.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-01/25/kenya-silicon-savvanah | date = 25 January 2013 | accessdate = 6 December 2015 | first = Ian | last = Steadman | publisher = [[Wired (website)|Wired]] | title = Kenya breaks ground on its 'Silicon Savannah' city project'}}</ref>
iHub provides a space where members can receive mentorship, business support services, access to startup and product development related workshops and events, and the possibility of [[Venture capital financing|venture funding]] through connections with the local and international venture capital community.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kinyanjui|first=Kui|access-date=23 October 2011|date=21 July 2011|title=Ihub Techies Roll the Dice As Venture Capitalists Place Bets on Inventions|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201107210824.html}}</ref> The space is a tech community facility with a focus on early stage entrepreneurs, web and mobile phone programmers, designers and researchers. It is part open community workspace (co-working),<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2015/08/18/nairobi_as_silicon_savannah_how_the_kenyan_capitol_grew_into_a_hub_for_digital.html | date = 18 August 2015 | access-date = 6 December 2015 | first = Zoe | last = Henry | publisher = [[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] | title = Nairobi Used to Be a Terrible Place to Do Business. How Did It Transform into a Tech Hub?}}</ref> part vector for investors and venture capitalists, and part incubator.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-01/25/kenya-silicon-savvanah | date = 25 January 2013 | access-date = 6 December 2015 | first = Ian | last = Steadman | publisher = [[Wired (website)|Wired]] | title = Kenya breaks ground on its 'Silicon Savannah' city project'}}</ref>


===MLab East Africa===
===MLab East Africa===
MLab East Africa (stylised as m:lab), is an initiative that "aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the Kenyan community, with a focus on Web and mobile services."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://webfoundation.org/projects/mlab-east-africa/|title=mLab East Africa|publisher=|accessdate=17 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/africa/2011/06/21/kenya-launches-africas-first-mobile-apps-lab/|title=Kenya launches m-lab, Africa’s first mobile apps lab|first=Nmachi|last=Jidenma|date=21 June 2011|publisher=|accessdate=17 December 2016}}</ref> It is not revenue generating for the iHub. It is a consortium of four organizations (eMobilis, [[World Wide Web Foundation]], [[University of Nairobi]], and iHub).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infodev.org/interview/sheilah-birgen-mlab-east-africa|title=Interview with Sheilah Birgen, CEO of m:lab East Africa - infoDev|publisher=|accessdate=17 December 2016}}</ref> It has had input from the [[World Bank Group]]'s [[infoDev]] program, under its Digital Entrepreneurship Program that is "scaling Mobile Application Labs (mLabs) ... in Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal".<ref>"[http://www.infodev.org/digital-entrepreneurship Digital Entrepreneurship]" [[infoDev]]. Accessed 20 November 2016</ref>
MLab East Africa (stylised as m:lab) is an initiative that "aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the Kenyan community, with a focus on Web and mobile services."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://webfoundation.org/projects/mlab-east-africa/|title=mLab East Africa|access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/africa/2011/06/21/kenya-launches-africas-first-mobile-apps-lab/|title=Kenya launches m-lab, Africa's first mobile apps lab|first=Nmachi|last=Jidenma|date=21 June 2011|access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref> It is not revenue generating for the iHub. It is a consortium of four organizations (eMobilis, [[World Wide Web Foundation]], [[University of Nairobi]], and iHub).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infodev.org/interview/sheilah-birgen-mlab-east-africa|title=Interview with Sheilah Birgen, CEO of m:lab East Africa - infoDev|access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref> It has had input from the [[World Bank Group]]'s [[infoDev]] program, under its Digital Entrepreneurship Program that is "scaling Mobile Application Labs (mLabs) ... in Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal".<ref>"[http://www.infodev.org/digital-entrepreneurship Digital Entrepreneurship]" [[infoDev]]. Accessed 20 November 2016</ref>


===iHub UX Lab===
===iHub UX Lab===
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==Funding and ownership==
==Funding and ownership==
The space was initially funded by [[Omidyar Network]] and [[Hivos]]. The lease was initially covered by [[Ushahidi]] and the 20 mb Internet connection is covered by Zuku.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ihub.co.ke/pages/about.php|work=iHub website|title=iHub website|accessdate=23 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026030430/http://ihub.co.ke/pages/about.php|archive-date=26 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 26 September 2019, it was announced that the iHub had been acquired by [[Co-Creation Hub]]. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ihub.co.ke/blogs/34437/cchub-acquires-ihub|title=CcHUB Acquires iHub|website=IHUB|language=en|access-date=2019-11-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2019/09/26/nigerias-cchub-acquires-kenyas-ihub-to-create-mega-africa-incubator/|title=Nigeria’s CcHub acquires Kenya’s iHub to create mega Africa incubator|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-25}}</ref>
The space was initially funded by [[Omidyar Network]] and [[Hivos]]. The lease was initially covered by [[Ushahidi]] and the 20 mb Internet connection is covered by Zuku.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ihub.co.ke/pages/about.php|title=iHub website|access-date=23 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026030430/http://ihub.co.ke/pages/about.php|archive-date=26 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 26 September 2019, it was announced that the iHub had been acquired by [[Co-Creation Hub]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ihub.co.ke/blogs/34437/cchub-acquires-ihub|title=CcHUB Acquires iHub|website=IHUB|language=en|access-date=2019-11-25|archive-date=26 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926174307/https://ihub.co.ke/blogs/34437/cchub-acquires-ihub|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/26/nigerias-cchub-acquires-kenyas-ihub-to-create-mega-africa-incubator/|title=Nigeria's CcHub acquires Kenya's iHub to create mega Africa incubator|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-25}}</ref>


==Events==
==Events==
Events held at iHub include [[BarCamp]], Mobile Monday, [[Random Hacks of Kindness]] (RHOK), Water Hackathon and AfricaHackOn InfoSec Conference, 2015{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}
Events held at iHub include [[BarCamp]], Mobile Monday,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://twitter.com/jwesonga/status/1019973409361444865 |title= Mobile Monday Nairobi launch event at iHub on July 19th 2010}}</ref> [[Random Hacks of Kindness]] (RHOK), Water Hackathon and AfricaHackOn InfoSec Conference, 2015{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}


iHub developed and executed Tajriba, the first user experience month in Africa. During the month, it involved user centered design experts who helped with workshops for the local community (university students, start-ups, designers, developers, etc.)<ref>http://www.ihub.co.ke/tajriba www.ihub.co.ke/tajriba</ref>
iHub developed and executed Tajriba, the first user experience month in Africa. During the month, it involved user centered design experts who helped with workshops for the local community (university students, start-ups, designers, developers, etc.)<ref>http://www.ihub.co.ke/tajriba www.ihub.co.ke/tajriba</ref>


Notable people to have given talks at iHub include: [[Marissa Mayer]],<ref name="ihub">{{cite news |url= http://www.ihub.co.ke/blog/2011/07/%E2%80%9Corganizing-the-world%E2%80%99s-information-for-our-users%E2%80%9D-a-fireside-chat-with-google%E2%80%99s-marissa-mayer/l |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130218214640/http://www.ihub.co.ke/blog/2011/07/%E2%80%9Corganizing-the-world%E2%80%99s-information-for-our-users%E2%80%9D-a-fireside-chat-with-google%E2%80%99s-marissa-mayer/l |url-status= dead |archive-date= 18 February 2013 |title= *iHub Blog Post |author= Angela Crandall |date= 1 July 2011 |work= iHub Blog |accessdate= 1 July 2011 }}</ref> [[Larry Wall]] and [[Vint Cerf]].<ref name="CIO">{{cite news |url= http://www.cio.co.ke/view-all-main-stories/4215-vint-cerf-at-ihub-internet-oldies-meeting-young-techies.html/l |title= Vint Cerf at ihub: Internet Oldies meeting young techies |author= Mutwiri Mutota |date= 30 September 2011 |work= [[CIO magazine]] |accessdate=30 September 2011}}</ref>
Notable people to have given talks at iHub include: [[Marissa Mayer]],<ref name="ihub">{{cite news |url= http://www.ihub.co.ke/blog/2011/07/%E2%80%9Corganizing-the-world%E2%80%99s-information-for-our-users%E2%80%9D-a-fireside-chat-with-google%E2%80%99s-marissa-mayer/l |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130218214640/http://www.ihub.co.ke/blog/2011/07/%E2%80%9Corganizing-the-world%E2%80%99s-information-for-our-users%E2%80%9D-a-fireside-chat-with-google%E2%80%99s-marissa-mayer/l |url-status= dead |archive-date= 18 February 2013 |title= *iHub Blog Post |author= Angela Crandall |date= 1 July 2011 |work= iHub Blog |access-date= 1 July 2011 }}</ref> [[Larry Wall]] and [[Vint Cerf]].<ref name="CIO">{{cite news |url= http://www.cio.co.ke/view-all-main-stories/4215-vint-cerf-at-ihub-internet-oldies-meeting-young-techies.html/l |title= Vint Cerf at ihub: Internet Oldies meeting young techies |author= Mutwiri Mutota |date= 30 September 2011 |work= [[CIO magazine]] |access-date=30 September 2011}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[List of business incubators]]
* [[I-Hub]]


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 04:42, 26 July 2024

iHub
Formation2010
PurposeHackerspace
Location
Origin
Nairobi, Kenya
CEO
Bosun Tijani
Websiteihub.co.ke

iHub is an Innovation hub and hacker space for the technology community in Nairobi.[1][2][3][4] It was started in March 2010 by Erik Hersman,[5] a blogger, TED fellow, and entrepreneur and acquired[6] by Co-creation Hub (CcHUB) in 2019. This coworking space, in Senteu Plaza[7] at the junction of Lenana and Galana Roads, is a nexus for technologists, investors, young entrepreneurs, designers, researchers and programmers.[8]

iHub was a pioneering tech hub in Africa, but in 2014 was one of many technology hubs across the continent,[5] with a dozen in Nairobi in 2015,[9] and NaiLab operating within the same building until March 2017.

Facilities

[edit]

iHub provides a space where members can receive mentorship, business support services, access to startup and product development related workshops and events, and the possibility of venture funding through connections with the local and international venture capital community.[10] The space is a tech community facility with a focus on early stage entrepreneurs, web and mobile phone programmers, designers and researchers. It is part open community workspace (co-working),[11] part vector for investors and venture capitalists, and part incubator.[12]

MLab East Africa

[edit]

MLab East Africa (stylised as m:lab) is an initiative that "aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the Kenyan community, with a focus on Web and mobile services."[13][14] It is not revenue generating for the iHub. It is a consortium of four organizations (eMobilis, World Wide Web Foundation, University of Nairobi, and iHub).[15] It has had input from the World Bank Group's infoDev program, under its Digital Entrepreneurship Program that is "scaling Mobile Application Labs (mLabs) ... in Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal".[16]

iHub UX Lab

[edit]

The iHub UX lab is the first open user experience lab in Sub-Saharan Africa. The UX lab has a mission to develop a user-centered design culture in Africa by helping the local community learn human centered design methods that put the user at the centre of product development. As it stands, most solutions are still built with a tech-centric approach and therefore do not fully understand and design for the users' needs and context. Inevitably, most of these solutions therefore fail to meet the needs of the user and therefore have minimal or no adoption.[citation needed]

Funding and ownership

[edit]

The space was initially funded by Omidyar Network and Hivos. The lease was initially covered by Ushahidi and the 20 mb Internet connection is covered by Zuku.[17] On 26 September 2019, it was announced that the iHub had been acquired by Co-Creation Hub.[18][19]

Events

[edit]

Events held at iHub include BarCamp, Mobile Monday,[20] Random Hacks of Kindness (RHOK), Water Hackathon and AfricaHackOn InfoSec Conference, 2015[citation needed]

iHub developed and executed Tajriba, the first user experience month in Africa. During the month, it involved user centered design experts who helped with workshops for the local community (university students, start-ups, designers, developers, etc.)[21]

Notable people to have given talks at iHub include: Marissa Mayer,[22] Larry Wall and Vint Cerf.[23]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Zuckerman, Ethan (26 November 2012). "Ethan Zuckerman: 'Africa's hackers are today's world-class tech innovators'". Wired. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  2. ^ "IBM Expands Reach to African Entrepreneurs with Innovation Space @ iHub". PR Newswire. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  3. ^ Goel, Vindu (26 July 2015). "Facebook and Other Tech Giants Expand Internet Access in Africa". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  4. ^ Anderson, Mark (5 January 2015). "Kenya's tech entrepreneurs shun Konza 'silicon savannah'". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  5. ^ a b Espinoza, Javier (29 April 2014). "African Tech Hubs and Funds Hope to Bridge the Digital Divide". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  6. ^ "Nigeria's CcHub acquires Kenya's iHub to create mega Africa incubator". TechCrunch. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  7. ^ Wainaina, Eric (8 December 2016). "iHub set to Move Locations from Bishop Magua Building to Senteu Plaza". Techweez. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  8. ^ "The iHub - Technology Innovation Community". Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  9. ^ Analo, Trevor (2 September 2015). "Is Nairobi no longer the innovation hub of Africa?". The EastAfrican. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  10. ^ Kinyanjui, Kui (21 July 2011). "Ihub Techies Roll the Dice As Venture Capitalists Place Bets on Inventions". Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  11. ^ Henry, Zoe (18 August 2015). "Nairobi Used to Be a Terrible Place to Do Business. How Did It Transform into a Tech Hub?". Slate. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  12. ^ Steadman, Ian (25 January 2013). "Kenya breaks ground on its 'Silicon Savannah' city project'". Wired. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  13. ^ "mLab East Africa". Retrieved 17 December 2016.
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