StartHub
LaunchPad
Supporting university students to bring their innovative ideas to life.
StartHub Africa
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StartHub
How it works
1. Apply
Fill the form and tell us about your idea. We can only accept 20 participants per university in the program.
2. Start
Go through the Launchpad Bootcamp at your university and get practical entrepreneurship skills in market research, business modelling, financial analysis, and marketing.
Start! 80% of our past participants got their first customers during the bootcamp.
3. Compete
Pitch your progress at the Pitch-Event of your university. The best innovators from each university will compete at the National Inter-University Pitch-Competition in November 2022 for a share of UGX 10,000,000.
Learn
What it takes to start and grow an innovative business. You will learn practical entrepreneurship skills in market research, business modelling, financial analysis, and marketing.
Win
Students with a promising idea and good progress during the training can qualify for access to funding of up to UGX 10,000,000.
Connect
Meet like-minded students and innovators, advance your career through networking opportunities and build a supportive community.
Frequent Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for the program?
Fill the form and tell us about your idea. We can only accept 20 participants per university in the program.
When is the bootcamp taking place?
Bootcamps will take place in the months of August, September, and October. The actual dates of the bootcamps vary from university to university. Be sure to check the actual dates in the application link.
What will I learn?
You will learn what it takes to start and grow an innovative business. We shall cover topics ranging from conducting market research, business modelling, financial analysis, strategic planning – all designed to enable you start by the end of the bootcamp
Which universities are eligible?
We are currently accepting applicants from Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Gulu University, Muni University, Kyambogo University, Busitema University, King Caesar University, Strathmore University, MOI University, University of Dar-Es-Salaam, and the International Leadership University in Burundi.
If your university is not included, you can still apply and choose others. We shall advise on the next steps.
Do I have to apply as an individual or as a group?
You can apply as a group or individual, but only one individual will represent the team at the bootcamp. However, everyone in the team can take part in the assignments from the bootcamp.
Where can I apply?
You can apply here https://starthubafrica.org/launchpad/ within the deadline stipulated for your university.
Who can apply?
This program is open to all university students, and recent graduates.
When is the deadline?
Application deadlines vary from university to university. Be sure to check out the application link to see what the deadline for your university is.
Will all ideas receive funding?
Only a few participants selected at the National Pitch Event will receive funding. However, all participants will learn how to finance their ideas through pitching to investors, friends, and family.
I don’t have an idea yet; can I still apply?
Yes, you can still apply. We have programs that are suited to those without ideas as well. The programs will help you figure out what you are passionate about, what societal challenges you would love to contribute to solving through entrepreneurship.
Will I get feedback?
Within 24-48 hours of your application, we will have a dedicated support reach out to you on the next steps of the application. You will get feedback at each step of the process, and they will be your dedicated support throughout this journey.
Do I have to pay for the program?
Yes. Every participant pays a fee of UGX 25,000 only (Twenty-Five Thousand Uganda Shillings Only). This fee facilitates the running of the program. The return of investment for previous participants has always tremendously exceeded their expectations.
Program
Overview
Start your Business Lean, with
Design-Thinking and little Capital.
We offer students a 9 weeks practical entrepreneurship academy together with our partner universities in Uganda and Rwanda. StartHub Africa trainers guide students to start their own business already during the training without a lot of capital. Students attend one practical session of 3 hours each week and work during the week on their business.
After the training, they are invited to present their business at the nation-wide StartHub Pitch-Event. Then, you can apply to get weekly mentorship from experts and 4 Million UGX investment in the StartHub Catalyzer.
StartHub Africa offers a highly practical training that enables participants in all kind of business domains. This training empowers participants to start a business that solves an actual problem and is financially profitable and scalable.
The StartHub Curriculum
Real Experience, Not Theory.
StartHub Africa offers a highly practical training that enables participants in all kind of business domains. This training empowers participants to start a business that solves an actual problem and is financially profitable and scalable. Using Design-Thinking methods adapted to the local context, we enable students to think outside the box and to implement innovative ideas. Read yourself through our 9 sessions listed below.
Week 1: Discover Yourself
Great entrepreneurs are passionate and use their strengths. In session 1 students are guided to discover their own personality and generate business ideas based on their passion and skills.
Week 2: Solve a Problem!
Entrepreneurs don’t simply sell something. They create value and solve a real problem. In week 2, Students spot problems outside class and turn them into opportunities.
Week 3: Financial Feasibility
A great idea is not enough, a business needs to be profitable. StartHub provides students with easy methods to quickly calculate if their business ideas can become profitable and scalable in the long-run.
Week 4: Customer Interviews
In week 4 Students start working on their own business. They choose a customer segment and a problem they want to solve. Additionally they learn to conduct problem interviews and market research.
Week 5: Ideate and Prototype
To solve the discovered problems, students are guided through design-thinking-methods to generate innovative business ideas and to come up with a first paper prototype.
Week 6: Minimum Viable Product
After conducting solution interviews with the paper prototype, students build the first minimum version of their product to collect further customer feedback.
Week 7: Business Modelling
A great product is not enough. The entire business model around must be working. Students are guided to develop a first business model and to test it immediately while getting their first customers.
Week 8: Pitching Your Idea
While students continue working on their business model, they learn how to give a great pitch-presentation that convinces investors, potential customers and supporters.