Technology Entrepreneurship in Indonesia and Kenya

Abstract

During 2014-2015, The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs (LBJ School) and the IC² Institute of The University of Texas at Austin, in cooperation with National Instruments unit Planet NI, based in Austin, Texas, conducted two experiments to facilitate technology transfer to encourage entrepreneurship and economic development in Indonesia and Kenya. The "Technology Transfer, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development" project was designed as an opportunity for graduate students to develop skills as "consultants" to assist a variety of institutions including non-profit organizations, for-profit firms, university research centers, and government agencies in encouraging technology entrepreneurship. Students operated within interdisciplinary teams to provide diverse management consulting services on issues of organizational development, technology innovation and transfer, strategy, marketing, finance, human resources, development, fundraising, and sustainability. These two experiments have sought to enable innovative small and medium-sized enterprises and startups as key contributors to socioeconomic development to generate high-value employment and positively affect local communities within Indonesia and Kenya. Their findings are reported in this report and in two accompanying video documentaries.