Announcing the second phase of the Mombasa Plastics Prize!

Announcing the second phase of the Mombasa Plastics Prize!

05/10/2023

The Mombasa Plastics Prize (MPP) is pleased to announce the start of a brand new phase of the challenge – the MPP Incubator.

After the huge success of the initial phase (the Mombasa Plastics Prize, which ran from September 2022 to May 2023), it was decided that there would be a second phase, which will support teams who took part in the initial challenge prize to make their projects even more impactful. 

As members of the MPP Incubator, the teams will gain access to financial and capacity-building support, including invaluable mentoring and training which will help them to grow their ideas into sustainable businesses. From there, the hope will be that they are able to significantly impact the mitigation of marine plastic waste pollution in Mombasa County’s informal settlements. 

“Incubator programs are so important for start-ups because they give early stage businesses access to mentorship, investors and support to help them become established and sustainable.”

How is the new phase different? 

While the Mombasa Plastics Prize (MPP) was a challenge prize – a competition that offers a reward to whoever can solve a problem first or most effectively – the purpose of the incubator is to build on the ideas developed in the challenge prize. 

To achieve this goal, the teams selected to participate will:

  1. Formalise their businesses and establish their operational structure.
  2. Refine their business ideas to generate sustainable and viable business plans.
  3. Increase the capabilities and skill sets of their teams.
  4. Develop and implement their working prototypes to be market-ready.
  5. Establish partnerships with the innovation ecosystem.
  6. Monitor and evaluate the impact of their solution on marine plastic waste pollution.

Which teams are taking part?

Why are we doing this?

Tackling the widespread issue of marine plastic waste in Mombasa County is at the heart of this initiative. With only 52 percent of waste collected by formal services and 20 percent of daily waste being plastic, informal settlements in the county are severely impacted by inadequate waste management services.

Beyond reducing plastic waste, the MPP Incubator aims to inspire Mombasa County residents to reduce plastic waste, whilst also benefiting and creating new jobs. 

Find out more about the MPP Incubator