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Our purpose
Why StartHub supports African innovation
and entrepreneurship
Societies have challenges to solve. Entrepreneurs solve problems, generate impact, and create jobs. The SDG`s and national development plans require a generation of changemakers to achieve positive and inclusive development in Africa. Aid has proven to be ineffective – and StartHub stands for a different approach: To build systems and structures so a movement of African changemakers can build the futures they want to see.
But how to build a movement? Take some ingredients: You start with a talent – for instance a young university student. Then, you let her break out of her theory-based education and expose her to future trends and the power of building new things. You guide and train the student – but always focus on execution. As they build an identity as an entrepreneur and get started, you support them financially to kick things off. And mentor the startup journey so they do not waste their time and resources. Don’t forget to connect them with partners and to make them part of a community – keep building their confidence and guide their success.
Our Vision
Our vision for entrepreneurship in Africa
Our vision is to “unlock the potential of changemakers to create innovative and scalable businesses across Africa.” This is possible through how StartHub is set up: we don’t rely on funding and can take our own decisions. We are not bound by 1-year project plans but can run an experiment or decide to invest in something tomorrow. We are a self-financed hybrid social venture that builds on a successful consulting business. We use our profits to build innovation infrastructure in East Africa.
We work on becoming an Africa-wide university-based entrepreneurship movement. StartHub looks at boosting changemakers from a systemic lens: With African universities, StartHub builds integrated entrepreneurship programs. Our content is used in class and certificate programs. Our student clubs organize engagements and events. Our StartHub trainers are local entrepreneurs who pass on practical know-how to students. This decentral approach enables us to add the function of entrepreneurship support at African universities. It allows scale as we only create content, qualify trainers, and support the setup of these structures.
Our Team
Meet the team making it happen!
Co-Founder and Program Design
Laura Althaus
Academy Coordinator
Joanita Babirye
Consultant
Nadia Ayaa
Consultant
Joshua Daaki
Venture Associate
Timothy Maenda
Academy Ideathons + M&E
Stella Kizza
Co-Founder & Teamlead Catalyzer
Matthias Möbius
Academy Coordinator
Henry Wanume
Junior Consultant
Noah Mesfin
Developer StartHub Platform
Stuart Kalema
Student Club Coordinator
Gerald Geria
Consultant & Country Lead Tanzania
Shakila Mshana
Finance and Administration
Joshua Mutama
Innovation Consultant