ABIL’S Explore Feasibility and Innovation Programme (Kenya)

Deadline: 11-Sep-2026

ABIL Explore, an initiative of the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), provides funding and technical support to early-stage Kenyan organizations developing innovative Earth Observation (EO) technologies, applications, and services. The program helps applicants assess feasibility, validate technical solutions, define a minimum viable product or service, and develop a business case for future growth and investment. Eligible Kenyan start-ups, SMEs, universities, and research organizations can receive up to €50,000 per activity, depending on the quality of the proposal. Supported activities are expected to last up to 9 months and include technical coaching, co-design sessions, Communities of Practice participation, and mentorship toward additional investment opportunities. What Is ABIL Explore? ABIL Explore is a program of the Kenya Space Agency designed to accelerate the development and validation of early-stage Earth Observation innovations in Kenya. The program supports organizations that have promising EO-related ideas but need additional technical development, feasibility assessment, validation, or business planning before moving toward wider commercialization or implementation. ABIL Explore focuses on transforming EO technologies and applications into practical solutions that can generate value across different sectors. What Does ABIL Explore Support? The program supports early-stage activities that help determine whether an Earth Observation innovation is technically feasible and commercially or operationally viable.

Supported activities may involve:

- Feasibility assessment - Technical validation - Technology development - Application development - Service development - Minimum viable product development - Business case development - Validation of technical and business assumptions The objective is to help promising ideas move from an early development stage toward a validated solution. Earth Observation Innovation Focus Earth Observation involves the collection and use of information about the Earth using technologies such as satellites and other observation systems. ABIL Explore supports innovations across both: - Upstream EO applications - Downstream EO applications This broad scope allows organizations developing EO technologies, applications, and services to explore opportunities across different parts of the Earth Observation value chain. ABIL Explore Funding Amount Successful applicants can receive funding of up to: €50,000 per activity The final funding amount depends on the quality and strength of the submitted proposal. Applicants should therefore clearly demonstrate why the proposed activity requires financial support and how the requested funding will contribute to validating or developing the EO innovation. Duration of Supported Activities The indicative duration of an ABIL Explore-supported activity is: Up to 9 months Applicants should develop a realistic work plan showing how the proposed feasibility, validation, product-development, and business-development activities can be completed within the proposed timeframe. Minimum Viable Product or Service A central objective of ABIL Explore is helping applicants define a minimum viable product (MVP) or service. The MVP represents a practical version of the proposed EO solution that can be tested and evaluated. Applicants should use the support period to determine: - What the core product or service should provide - Which technical components are essential - What users or customers need - Whether the solution can technically perform as intended - What additional development is required - How the solution could be taken toward market or wider implementation Business Case Development Technical feasibility alone is not sufficient for many EO innovations. ABIL Explore also supports applicants in developing a business case that considers both technical and commercial or operational perspectives. A strong business case can help demonstrate: - The problem being addressed - The target users or customers - The value proposition - The proposed EO solution - Technical feasibility - Market or application potential - Sustainability - Future investment requirements This approach helps organizations prepare their innovations for potential future investment. Who Is Eligible? ABIL Explore is intended for early-stage Kenyan organizations developing or validating innovative Earth Observation solutions.

Eligible applicant categories include:

- Kenyan start-ups - Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - Universities - Research organizations Applicants should be actively developing or validating an innovative EO-related technology, application, or service. Kenyan Eligibility Requirement The program is focused on organizations based in Kenya. Applicants should demonstrate that their organization and proposed innovation meet the program’s Kenyan eligibility requirements and that the activity contributes to the development of the country’s Earth Observation innovation ecosystem. What Benefits Do Selected Participants Receive? ABIL Explore provides more than financial assistance. Selected participants can receive a combination of funding, technical expertise, collaborative development opportunities, and investment-oriented mentorship.

Support includes:

- Funding of up to €50,000 per activity - Technical coaching from Earth Observation specialists - Facilitated co-design sessions - Integration into ABIL Communities of Practice - Integration into Kenya Space Agency Communities of Practice - Mentorship toward future investment opportunities Technical Coaching Selected organizations receive access to technical coaching from EO specialists. This support can help applicants address technical challenges, assess their proposed technology, improve their solution, and determine what is required to reach a validated product or service. Co-Design Sessions ABIL Explore also facilitates co-design sessions. These sessions provide an opportunity for p