Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), the leading technology innovation center in Nigeria, has acquired Kenya’s iHub after striking a new deal.
The deal whereby Co-Creation Hub will pay an undisclosed fee will see iHub’s team become part of CcHUB’s wider central support and strategy network, whilst retaining its name and senior management structure. CcHUB is charged with the responsibility of making key hires in innovation consulting, people management, program management, and community support, as it looks to strengthen its pan-African network and mobilize its far-reaching resources, network and relationships to accelerate the growth of technology innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa according to a report on Business Insider.
This is not CcHUB’s foray into a new market. As previously reported, the co-creation innovation entity expanded into Kigali, Rwanda, with the launch of its Design Lab – the first creative space in Africa to focus solely on product design and technology innovation.
Bosun Tijani, CEO at CcHUB said, “We are long-time admirers and collaborators of iHub – a world-class community of developers, entrepreneurs and business people who have been instrumental in growing Kenya’s extraordinary technology ecosystem” according to reports by Business Insider.
Launched in 2011, and partnered by international companies such as Google for Start-ups, Facebook, Oracle and organizations including Omidyar Network and Ford Foundation, CcHUB is Africa’s first open living lab and pre-incubation space, home to technologists, social entrepreneurs, government bodies, tech companies, impact investors and more. In 2012, CcHUB played a major role in converging key stakeholders to deliberate and action ideas that led to the emergence of one of Africa’s most organic technology clusters in Yaba, Lagos.
iHub, launched in 2010, is home to internationally-recognized companies such as BRCK and Ushahidi, as well as start-ups such as Zayride, Eneza Education, Taimba and Optimetriks.
Speaking to Disrupt Africa, Nekesa J. Were, Managing Director for iHub added, “Over the past 9 years, the iHub has been a catalyst for regional tech acceleration and a role model for innovation hubs across emerging markets. To-date, over USD40m has been raised by iHub startups in early and growth-stage financing and iHub portfolio businesses have contributed over 40,000 jobs to the East African economy. Their products have impacted millions. CcHUB has an unrivaled 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 in transforming our communities”
Erik Hersman, CEO BRCK and founder of iHub adds, “Bosun and I have known each other since the beginnings of the tech hub explosion across Africa, and we’ve always made sure that the CcHUB and iHub had a good relationship. A decade later, it’s exciting to see the evolution of the space, and to have two of the largest and most impactful hubs consolidate and provide an even larger target for the tech communities they represent, as well as the businesses, investors, and media who work so closely inside the ecosystem.”
