Insights – Page 2 – StartHub Africa

The Stanbic National Schools Championship Season 9 Grand Finale

On August 2nd, 2024, Hotel Africana played host to the grand finale of the Stanbic National Schools Championship (NSC) Season 9. This year, the initiative by Stanbic Bank was implemented by StartHub Africa, showcasing a remarkable array of student-led innovations and highlighting the exceptional talent of young minds across the country. Fourteen schools advanced to the final stage, each presenting groundbreaking projects with the potential to transform their communities. Among them, four emerged as the top winners of this year’s championship.

St Joseph’s High School, Namagunga shone brightly with their solar-powered multipurpose cleaning machine, capable of mowing, scrubbing, and mopping. This innovative project was inspired by an alumnus who had previously experienced the transformative impact of the NSC and encouraged his former school to participate.

The students overwhelmed with joy after being announced winners

In the Student-Grow Category, Katwe Noor Secondary School impressed with their Library Information Simplified platform. This system effectively tracks library resources, allowing for better management of stock. The enthusiasm was so great that the Director of Studies and Head Teacher, who were following the live broadcast on NBS Television, rushed to the venue, leaving their community in celebration.

The AlumGrow Category featured the Skool Bike project, which provides affordable and reliable bicycle transport for students, helping to reduce absenteeism and support consistent education. This project was among the 25 ventures selected for MTN Uganda’s inaugural Change Maker’s initiative last year and continues to make a significant impact.

Teacher Emmanuel Mugambe from Sheema Girls School stood out in the TeachInnovate Category with his creative use of scrabble. By repurposing the game to introduce new topics, Mugambe has successfully engaged students and enriched their learning experience, showcasing the power of innovative teaching methods.

With StartHub Africa as the implementing partner for this year’s championship, we are proud to support the Stanbic National Schools Championship and its remarkable participants. The grand finale highlighted the incredible potential and creativity of our young innovators. We look forward to continuing to support such inspiring initiatives and celebrating the future leaders and innovators of our communities.

Features, Insights

Seize the moment: Potential of Online Gig Work programs to transform refugee youth

While the digital technologies are transforming the world of work, they are opening doors for new job and entrepreneurship opportunities. These pivotal moments often reshape lives and careers for the young people.

Meet Nyagasani Enock, a 29-year-old Congolese who embodies this spirit of transformation. With a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Enock has become an inspiration to many after participating in the Online Gig Work Program, a pilot project which offers digital skills training to host and refugee youth in Uganda.

The initiative is being led by ILO PROSPECTS under PROSPECTS Program, funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda and implemented by  StartHub Africa

Nyagasani Enock leading a presentation at one of the training sessions

Enock, who works as a translator at the Norwegian Refugee Council, learned about the training program from a friend and immediately applied to secure his position. “My longstanding passion for technology made me realize that this was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. I always dreamed of using technology to make a significant impact on people’s lives, and saw this program as a pathway to achie that dream,” expressed Enock, explaining his motivation.

Acceptance into the training program marked the beginning of a journey that would change his life.
During the training, Enock encountered mentors who genuinely cared about his aspirations. They provided guidance, encouraged him to expand his knowledge, and motivated him to succeed. This supportive environment was crucial in helping Enoch stay focused on his goals.

Nyagasani Enock with fellow participants

“I faced numerous challenges. There were tough days when developing websites seemed impossible and negotiating or collaborating with others felt daunting. However, with persistence and the support of my mentors, I kept pushing forward,” shared Enock.

The program equipped Enock with various digital skills, including advanced knowledge in technology and artificial intelligence, negotiation and collaboration techniques, problem-solving strategies, and effective communication. These skills not only transformed his professional abilities but also boosted his confidence.

Enock, who has successfully completed the training mentioned, “The program has had a profound impact on my life. Today, I designs websites for clients in the UK and confidently navigate through the professional collaborations. The Online Gig Work Program didn’t just teach me skills; it allowed me to envision a brighter future. ”

Nyagasani Enock collaborating on group work with his teammates

Enock has become a beacon of hope in his community, sharing the knowledge he gained with other young people who aspire to make a difference. His journey continues as he aims for the pinnacle of technological achievement, driven by the belief that continuous learning will help him realize his dreams.

Enock’s story is a testament to the transformative power of the Online Gig Work Program. He stressed, “I encourage young people who want to make a difference to embrace this opportunity. The program offers comprehensive learning, job opportunities, and a chance to network with people from diverse cultures and nationalities. I hope my story inspires others to pursue their passions and never give up on their dreams,”

Features, Insights, Programs

Unveiling Success: Ochuka Richard’s Journey with Empower YOU

Delve into the compelling journey of Ochuka Richard, an innovative entrepreneur from Lira City whose resilience, creativity, and transformative spirit have propelled him to remarkable success. A committed participant in the Empower YOU Program https://starthubafrica.org/empoweryou led by StartHub Africa, Ochuka’s story exemplifies the profound influence of strategic mentorship and unwavering determination in the business arena

Ochuka’s enterprise focuses on the agricultural value chain and Agri-training, adding value to products, processing posho flour, and supporting smallholder farmers. By packing posho in 1kg bags and selling at a competitive rate of 1800 shillings, Ochuka’s company stands out in the market where prices range from 2000 to 3000 shillings. His unique business model empowers farmers through training, seed provision, and purchasing their maize grain, creating a sustainable supply chain.

The inspiration behind Ochuka’s venture arose from observing the high unemployment rates among youth in his community. Unable to secure a job himself, he ventured into agriculture, starting with sorghum farming. His initial success, generating 28 million shillings, enabled him to establish his company in 2018. His goal is to provide employment opportunities, particularly for those who cannot create their own jobs, thereby fostering community growth and economic development.

Ochuka discovered the Empower YOU https://starthubafrica.org/empoweryou Program during a training session for a farmers’ group, where he met members of StartHub Africa. Their insights into business management highlighted his need for personal growth and training, despite being a trainer himself. Since joining the program, he has gained invaluable knowledge that he now shares with his community and staff.

In the past six months, Ochuka has implemented critical business practices such as record keeping, previously neglected, which led to financial losses due to lack of oversight. The program emphasized tracking profits and losses, significantly improving his business operations. Additionally, he gained insights into effective branding, enhancing customer awareness and recognition of his business.

Looking ahead, Ochuka envisions his business achieving 80% of its goals within the next five years. With a fully functional factory and the daily implementation of acquired knowledge, he is confident in his company’s future success. Key lessons from the program include maximizing expenses, setting targets, and strategic goal setting.

Ochuka Richard attending one of the Empower YOU trainings

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Ochuka emphasizes patience, persistence, and starting with available resources. He believes in monitoring and nurturing a business until it grows, drawing from his own experiences of incremental success.

Ochuka expresses profound gratitude to StartHub Africa for the Empower YOU Program, recognizing its crucial role in equipping youth with essential skills. He credits the program for the flourishing of his business and acknowledges the significant impact it has on the lives of young entrepreneurs.

Through the Empower YOU Program, StartHub Africa continues to foster entrepreneurial growth, transforming businesses, and empowering communities toward sustainable success.

Features, Insights, Programs

The Stanbic National Schools Championship Season 9 Bootcamp

StartHub Africa recently implemented a 1-week (May 18th to May 22nd, 2024) bootcamp at Gayaza High School, as part of the Stanbic National Schools Championship Season 9. This intensive bootcamp saw over 100 schools participate, all aimed at cultivating essential business and entrepreneurship skills among young students.

Under the theme “Powering Innovation for Job Creation,” students engaged in a comprehensive educational journey. The bootcamp offered deep dives into entrepreneurship, financial literacy, personal development, and character building. This broad theme encouraged students to explore various aspects of innovation and business acumen. Additionally, the program emphasized mental health, providing participants with strategies to manage stress and maintain well-being amidst their ambitious pursuits.

Laura Althaus Mugagga, Co-founder StartHub Africa addressing the Students during the Bootcamp

The best-performing schools from each region received seed capital and will move forward to the grand finale of the championship, enabling them to transform their ideas into actionable projects. This support not only validated their efforts but also gave a significant boost to their entrepreneurial journeys.

One of the Schools pitching their innovative ideas to a panel of Judges

The passion and resourcefulness exhibited by the students underscored the incredible potential within Uganda’s young generation. The bootcamp transcended being a mere competition; but also, a nurturing ground for the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.

StartHub Africa, as the new implementing partner for the Stanbic National Schools Championship Season 9, is committed to ensuring that these young innovators receive the guidance and support they need to thrive.

Features, Insights, Programs

Pin Yoghurt: Transforming Ugandan Dairy with Innovation and Determination

Ivan Nuwamanya, the founder of Pin Yoghurt, shared insights into his entrepreneurial journey during an interview with StartHub Africa. His venture, Pin Yoghurt, aims to transform how people consume and enjoy yoghurt in Uganda by offering quality, nutritious, and affordable options in a variety of innovative flavors.

Starting in August 2022, Ivan’s personal experience with ulcers led him to discover the benefits of yoghurt, inspiring him to create Pin Yoghurt.

Despite facing challenges in gaining consumer trust and securing distribution channels, Ivan persevered, leveraging grants and funding to overcome financial obstacles.

Transforming his idea into a thriving business wasn’t easy, but Ivan’s commitment to producing high-quality, unique yoghurt flavours like Toffee Caramel set Pin Yoghurt apart in a competitive market. He envisions significant growth for the company in the next five years, driven by innovation and scalability.

With a growing customer base and accolades from various competitions, Ivan is proud of Pin Yoghurt’s acceptance in the market.

Ivan exhibiting his Pin Yoghurt products to the Netherlands ambassador for youth education and sports

He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to start small, build social capital, and seek mentorship to navigate the challenges of the startup journey.

Ivan credits StartHub Africa for playing a pivotal role in Pin Yoghurt’s success, from incubation to ongoing advisory support. Looking ahead, Ivan and his team aim to tackle food security issues by innovating new preservation methods, demonstrating their commitment to making a positive impact beyond the yoghurt industry.

Pin Yoghurt is among the many startups that have been nurtured through the StartHub Africa Catalyzer program, a venture-building program that helps businesses grow faster.

Features, Insights, Programs

Empower YOU: Igniting Entrepreneurial Success Through Skill Empowerment

Meet Laker Linda Irene, a teacher turned entrepreneur making waves in Gulu with her jewelry and welding business. Her journey epitomizes the transformative impact of Empower YOU, a program spearheaded by StartHub Africa, aimed at equipping young entrepreneurs with essential skills.

Linda’s venture into entrepreneurship was sparked by a call from her local community leader during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the opportunity to choose from various trades, she boldly opted for welding, a traditionally male-dominated field. Despite initial apprehensions, Linda persevered through challenges, demonstrating her determination and resilience.

Laker Linda at one of the Empower YOU trainings

Her commitment caught the attention of Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO), who recognized her talent and provided crucial support by supplying her with welding equipment. Linda’s prowess in welding soon led her to become a trainer, empowering others in her community with valuable skills.

However, setbacks such as theft threatened to derail Linda’s business aspirations. It was during this trying time that she discovered Empower YOU through a colleague. Recognizing the program’s potential to bolster her business, Linda eagerly embraced the opportunity to refine her financial management skills and enhance her business acumen.

Through Empower YOU, Linda gained insights into financial literacy and the importance of meticulous documentation. Armed with newfound knowledge, she’s now equipped to manage her finances effectively, ensuring the sustainability and growth of her business.

Participants during one of the Empower YOU trainings in Gulu

Beyond the technical aspects of jewelry making and welding, Empower YOU instilled in Linda a deeper understanding of business fundamentals. From expense tracking to savings strategies, the program provided her with the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.

Linda’s endorsement of Empower YOU serves as a testament to its efficacy in fostering entrepreneurial success. She urges fellow youths to seize the opportunity afforded by such programs, emphasizing the transformative potential they hold for aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike.

As Linda continues on her entrepreneurial journey, she extends her heartfelt gratitude to StartHub Africa for pioneering initiatives like Empower YOU. Through their unwavering support, they’re not only transforming individual lives but also driving economic empowerment and community development in Gulu and beyond.

StartHub Africa’s pivotal role in the Empower YOU project aligns with its objective to enhance sustainable income generation and life skills for youth micro and small business owners in Lira and Gulu cities. By providing practical training and mentorship, StartHub Africa empowers entrepreneurs like Linda to thrive in their endeavors, contributing to economic growth and social inclusion in their communities

Features, Insights, Programs

Seeds of Innovation: Benedict’s Experience in the Innovate for Food Security Program

Benedict Muwanguzi, a third-year student at Makerere University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in food science and technology, reflected on his interactive experience with the Innovate for Food Security program by StartHub Africa. He mentioned being provided with various case studies and adopting a hands-on approach to learning, which he found more effective than passive listening.

His motivation to participate stemmed from both a friend’s referral and his interest in entrepreneurship and business. Benedict emphasized the interconnectedness of climate change, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, noting their mutual influence on one another and their critical roles in Uganda’s economy.

Benedict Muwanguzi during one of the Innovate for Food Security training sessions

Throughout the program, Benedict acquired specific knowledge and skills, including idea thinking methodology, the design thinking process, idea canvas creation, and business idea generation. He highlighted the significance of the design thinking process in problem-solving and product development, particularly in addressing agricultural challenges like food wastage and insecurity.

Applying these newfound skills, Benedict and his team undertook innovative ventures, such as the 50,000shs challenge, where they successfully turned a small investment into profits within four hours by selling salads to university students.

Benedict expressed his belief in the potential of youth to drive change in food security through education, improved agricultural practices, and initiatives to mitigate food waste. He also recognized barriers to youth involvement in agriculture, such as a preference for white-collar jobs, suggesting that education and outreach programs could help overcome these barriers.

Other Participants during the Innovate for food security training sessions at StartHub Africa

Reflecting on unexpected successes, such as the 50k challenge, Benedict appreciated the program’s impact on his entrepreneurial mindset and thanked StartHub Africa for providing the opportunity at no cost.

He commended the program’s ability to transform ideas into tangible products and businesses, underscoring its value in nurturing innovation among university students.

Innovate4FoodSecurity is an initiative spearheaded by StartHub Africa and Ennovate Ventures in partnership with NOREC.

Insights, Programs

Acholi Agri Business Innovation Challenge.

Agriculture remains the major source of livelihood in Uganda and Acholi region is no exception. According to the Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) 2016/17, the bigger proportion of the working population is engaged in agriculture, forestry and fishing (65%). Among the females in the working population, 70% are engaged in agriculture compared to 58% of the males. But still, the sector is still backward due to a number of factors. For instance, an estimated 30% – 50% of the annual grain and fresh fruits and vegetables harvest (in terms of weight) is lost (FAO, 2019). The loss is even higher for products that are more sensitive to impact and compression, such as many varieties of fruit and vegetables. A loss of this magnitude affects producers directly by reducing the amount of food available for household consumption and amount available for sale to obtain household income. On the consumer side, such a loss reduces food supplies in the markets causing food prices to increase, consequently making food unaffordable. This explains the acceleration in inflation for example the recent hike for sixth straight month to 7.9% in July of 2022, from 6.8% in the previous month.

Due to the complications in the supply chain caused by a number of factors on the farmer’s side and some being external, farmers are faced with challenges in supplying food to the different markets, reducing food loss on its way to the markets, reducing post-harvest loss, and providing healthy and nutritious food.

In light of the above, eradicating poverty and food insecurity hinges on reducing food losses and waste. This will necessitate improving post-harvest handling practices which are the main drivers of food loss and waste management. Such losses can be significantly reduced by better transport infrastructure combined with additional investment in more efficient and less damaging transport facilities, modern (possibly chilled) storage facilities and modern markets organised on the basis of the appropriate logistics. The impact on food security is twofold: on the one hand the products on the target markets contribute directly to the food security of the people who buy them, while on the other the sale of these products provides their producers with an income that can then be invested in the family’s nutrition.

To contribute towards sustainable agriculture, curb malnutrition, promote food security and improve farmers’ livelihoods in Acholi Sub-region, Caritas Switzerland is funding the Acholi Agri Business Innovation challenge and implemented by StartHub Africa to support already existing startups, groups, youths and entrepreneurs whose initiatives are already providing impactful solutions in food security, malnutrition, and agriculture production and those whose ideas will contribute towards the same cause.

About the Caritas Agri Business Innovation Challenge:

The program aims to contribute towards sustainable agriculture, curb malnutrition, promote food security and improve farmers’ livelihoods in Acholi Sub-region. In addition, the challenge seeks to identify and support innovative business solutions contributing to a sustainable and inclusive food system in and around Northern Uganda. This will include two capacity building bootcamps culminating in a pitch event where the winners will compete for a grant pool of 40,000,000 Ugandan shillings and there after receive follow up mentorship for 5 months.

Who is eligible to apply;

Applicants who have an innovative agribusiness idea to be implemented within the Acholi Sub-region.
Anyone with an already existing agribusiness solution being implemented in the Acholi Sub-region.

Entrepreneurs with innovative solutions in thematic areas listed above (check website).
Women entrepreneurs are especially encouraged to apply.

About Caritas Switzerland

Caritas Switzerland is a member of the international Caritas network. This consists of 165 organisations worldwide. In addition, the European Caritas organisations have joined together in Brussels to form Caritas Europe. Caritas helps people in need, regardless of their religious and political beliefs or their ethnicity. Because its presence reaches into the local communities, Caritas is able to react quickly in a disaster, providing the appropriate emergency relief. In many of its projects, Caritas Switzerland enters into funding partnerships with Caritas organisations from the international Caritas network.

About StartHub Africa.

StartHub Africa is a hybrid Social Enterprise that is building a university-based student movement, invests in and guides early-stage African startups, and runs high-quality innovation projects and consultancy all over East Africa.

Deadline: 09th October 2022

How to apply: Interested individuals or startups should visit www.agribusiness.starthubafrica.org/apply

Insights

Why We Are Bullish On Design Thinking At StartHub Africa

StartHub Africa has different programs including the academy and catalyzer programs. In both of these programs, startups are taught basic business operations. One common feature in all these programs is design thinking. At StartHub, we emphasize it a lot for all entrepreneurs.

But StartHub isn’t the only organisation that is big on design thinking. It is a major feature of global giants like Apple, Google, Samsung and General Electric among others. It is also being taught at the best universities in the world like Stanford, Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

What is design thinking?

According to Interaction Design, design thinking is an iterative process in which we seek to understand the user, challenge assumptions, and redefine problems in an attempt to identify alternative strategies and solutions that might not be instantly apparent with our initial level of understanding.

Essentially, design thinking is all about the journey from having an idea in your mind as an entrepreneur to building a market fit product. When every entrepreneur comes up with this big idea, they rely on assumptions of the market from who will be their customers, who are willing to pay for the product and how creative is the solution.

The design thinking process helps the entrepreneur to throw away these assumptions and build a product based on actual feedback and insights from potential users. The Hasso-Platner Institute of Design at Stanford, one of the schools at the forefront of applying and teaching design thinking, came up with 5 stages of the process. Let’s explore them below.

Stage 1: Empathize

The entrepreneur has to empathize with their users. This is basically putting yourself in their shoes and trying to reason from their perspective. This is the first stage of design thinking. Once an entrepreneur is able to empathize with their users, they can move on to the next stage.

Stage 2: Define your users’ needs.

The users, needs are defined by interviewing potential users. Through interviews, one can know what their problems actually are. This stage also helps the entrepreneur to pinpoint what his target group of customers is going to be based on insights received. It is important to compare your findings here with your assumptions.

Stage 3: Ideate.

At this stage, the entrepreneur should have moved on from the assumptions they had and actually have an idea of what the users truly want. This stage is for the entrepreneur to come up with a solution to the problem that he identified in stage 2, a solution that can cater for the users’ needs.

*An Ideation Session. Image Credit: Unsplash* *Copyright terms and licence: Free to Use*

Stage 4: Prototype.

It is now time to build something the users can use. There are various ways to build a prototype. You can use tools like Canva, inVision, SAP and Marvel among others. You should build something that potential users can test and get a view of how the solution you came up with will work.

Stage 5: Test.

Test your prototype with various users. Takedown the feedback they give you and use it to refine your prototype even further until you have one that they can use. When you are confident of your prototype, then you can move on to development.

Why is Design Thinking important?

Startups are known for innovation and invention. Most of them are building solutions that have never been tested or done before. This makes it a virgin field and hence, assumptions are what fill in for facts. It is on the entrepreneur to replace those assumptions with facts before developing their startup.

Design thinking helps entrepreneurs to minimize losses on their investment. One of the biggest killers of startups is building something no one wants or something that no one can use. This is why it is important for any entrepreneur to go through this process. Design thinking gives the entrepreneur a better chance of building a successful startup.

This is why we have made design thinking a very important tool in all our programs, here at StartHub.

Insights

5 Tips on How To Conduct User Interviews.

User interviews give an entrepreneur an idea of what they need to build. They help him understand what solution is viable and who are willing to pay for it. So it is important to conduct perfect user interviews to maximise feedback. Here are 5 tips on how to do that.