Insights
From Kenya to the US: Leon Kipkoech’s journey to innovation and accessibility in tech
At UST, we hold a simple yet profound belief: innovation is at its most powerful when it touches and transforms lives. No story embodies this more than that of remarkable journey of Leon Kipkoech, the winner of the UST global D3 Hackathon. Leon’s story stretches from the slopes of Kenya’s mountains to the face-paced corridors of tech in the US, weaving resilience, vision, and a deep commitment to accessibility into one inspiring tale.
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Leon training in Kenya
A journey fueled by dual passions: running and coding
Leon’s story begins in the mountains of Kenya, where he first combined his love for running with a budding interest in programming. While many young runners dreamed of winning races, Leon would lace up for a different kind of marathon. Every day, he balanced his love for running with hours spent learning to code. “It became my routine,” he shares. “I’d code until I needed a break, run until my mind cleared, then return to my computer.” For Leon, coding and running weren’t just hobbies; they were intertwined pursuits that fueled his spirit and opened new worlds.
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Opportunities abroad and a calling in accessibility
A track and field scholarship eventually brought Leon to the US, where he continued to study software engineering. His dedication and experiences soon revealed his true calling—making technology accessible to all. During an internship at MIT, he contributed to a project that helped make space exploration accessible for the deaf community, sparking a powerful vision for how technology could break down barriers for people with disabilities.
Leon working on accessible technology
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Seizing the moment: The D3 Hackathon
Scrolling through Instagram, Leon saw a post about the D3 Hackathon just hours before the deadline. "I saw an ad on Instagram about the D3 Hackathon, and I thought, ‘Why not?’” he recalls. With a spark of inspiration, he submitted his idea: a solution powered by machine learning that interprets sign language gestures and displays them on video platforms like YouTube. His vision was clear—to make digital spaces accessible for the hearing-impaired. "If I could combine computer vision with dynamic ASL, I realized we could create a new level of accessibility," he explains.
Leon’s project became more than just a technical solution; it aimed to bridge the gap for millions who navigate a world not fully designed with them in mind.
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Developing an innovative solution for accessibility
Leon’s project leverages computer vision and machine learning to provide real-time American Sign Language (ASL) interpretations for online video content. His innovative approach creates a small video overlay on platforms such as YouTube, translating spoken words into sign language so the hearing-impaired community can fully engage with the content.
The potential for this project goes far beyond YouTube. In the future, Leon hopes to expand this tool to cover multiple platforms, transforming accessibility for millions globally.
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Perseverance and family support
But like every great journey, Leon’s path wasn’t easy. Leon found himself exhausted yet unstoppable. “I’d wake up at 4 am, bike 11 miles to practice, work all day, then head to class,” he recalls. Each sunrise pedal, every night at the keyboard, was a step closer to the future he could almost see but couldn’t yet touch.
Through every challenge, Leon’s biggest supporter remained far away in Kenya—his mother. She cheered him on from thousands of miles away, her pride shining through every call and every moment she saw him online. “She’d call and say, ‘I saw you on the internet!’ even if she didn’t fully understand my projects,” Leon laughs. Her encouragement was a steady reminder that he carried home with him no matter where he went.
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Looking to the future with purpose and vision
As he nears the end of his degree, Leon looks to the future with clear eyes and steadfast resolve. He dreams of expanding his accessibility platform, driven by a belief that every person deserves to engage fully with the digital world. “If I can make this project as impactful as I know it can be,” he says, “then every effort will be worth it.”
At UST, we are honored to celebrate and support visionaries like Leon who live our mission of transforming lives through technology. His story is a powerful reminder that technology’s greatest potential lies not just in what it can do but in whom it can bring together. We can’t wait to see the waves he’ll continue to make in the world, and through initiatives like the D3 Hackathon, we’re excited to empower more changemakers to dream boldly, build inclusively, and inspire endlessly.
