Research Area

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

Supporting the ecosystem that turns Ethiopian ideas into scalable ventures.

Overview

Ethiopia's innovation ecosystem is growing, but founders still face gaps in finance, regulation, skills, and market access. KGRI researches what helps startups and social enterprises scale with impact.

We study incubation models, investment readiness, intellectual property, and the institutional support structures that turn research and local ingenuity into sustainable ventures.

Focus Areas

Startup ecosystem mapping and gap analysis
Innovation policy and regulatory sandboxes
University spin-offs and research commercialisation
Access to finance for early-stage ventures
Social innovation and impact measurement

Lead Researchers

Birhanu Zergaw

Research Lead, Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Mr. Berhanu Zergaw is a visionary entrepreneur and technology leader, serving as the Founder of ZERGAW CLOUD, a leading cloud services provider in Ethiopia. Established in 2019, ZERGAW CLOUD has rapidly become a key player in Ethiopia's digital transformation, offering a range of cloud-based solutions tailored to the unique needs of local businesses. Under Mr. Berhanu’s leadership, the company has expanded its services and formed strategic partnerships, contributing significantly to the advancement of ICT infrastructure in the country.