Programs – StartHub Africa

WeWork: Building a Greener Future

Across Uganda, young entrepreneurs are redefining business with a purpose. They are creating solutions that care for both people and the planet. From turning agricultural waste into compost to designing renewable energy solutions, these innovators are proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.

The WeWork – Green and Decent Jobs for Youth project is implemented by StartHub Africa in collaboration with Enabel, the Belgian Agency for International Cooperation, under the Global Gateway strategy and funded by the European Union and Belgium. It is creating the space for these ideas to grow into impactful, scalable businesses.

This 24-month project is designed to empower youth-led businesses operating in the Circular and Green Economy (CGE). By providing incubation, financing, and technical expertise, the project aims to transform early-stage ventures with prototypes or proof of concept into sustainable enterprises capable of generating jobs and revenue, while promoting environmental stewardship.

Who Are We Targeting?

The project welcomes young innovators aged 18 to 35 who are ready to take their early-stage ventures to the next level. Women founders and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Eligible businesses must align with the principles of the circular and green economy, prioritising sustainability, resource optimisation, and eco-friendly solutions, whether through renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, waste-to-product innovations, or sustainable tourism.

The initiative spans key regions of Uganda, including Kampala Metropolitan (Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono), West Nile (Madi-Okello, Terego, Adjumani, Arua, Arua City, Yumbe, Kiryandongo), and Busoga (Jinja, Jinja City, Kamuli). This reach ensures that a diverse array of youth entrepreneurs can access mentorship, training, and funding opportunities.

Understanding the Circular and Green Economy

Circular and green economy ventures go beyond traditional business; they rethink how resources are used. These businesses reduce waste, harness renewable energy, regenerate ecosystems, and create value through sustainable practices. Whether it’s producing eco-friendly building materials, developing renewable energy solutions, practising regenerative agriculture, engaging in sustainable tourism, or turning waste into compost and bio-fertilisers, the project supports a wide range of innovative solutions that contribute to Uganda’s environmental and economic future.

Benefits for Participants

Participants in the program will benefit from bootcamps led by expert business trainers, seed grants to support growth, and four and a half months of personalised coaching focused on revenue, market access, and job creation. The program also provides financial management and compliance guidance and offers opportunities to pitch to investors and ecosystem partners. Businesses must have the ambition and potential to scale.

Take the First Step

This application round specifically targets businesses within the Kampala Metropolitan Region, and selection will be done in phases.

If you are a young entrepreneur building a business that is both economically viable and environmentally sustainable, Apply here and take your first step toward shaping Uganda’s circular and green economy.

Programs

Venture Support at StartHub Africa

We believe that Africa’s most pressing challenges can be solved by bold entrepreneurs, but great ideas need more than passion to succeed. They need structure, strategy, and the right networks.

Whether pre-revenue or already gaining traction, our program is designed to give ambitious founders everything they need to move from idea to scale. We focus primarily on B2B tech startups (though high-potential B2C ventures are welcome) across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

What We Offer

Our venture support is practical, hands-on, and tailored to each founder’s needs. No one-size-fits-all training. Instead, we get into the trenches with startups to solve the challenges that matter.

Investment Support: We provide $1,000–$5,000 in initial investment and affordable loans up to $5,000 to help founders test and grow.

1:1 Coaching & Mentorship: Weekly sessions with expert venture associates who guide founders for up to two years. From growth strategy to operations, compliance, and hiring, we cover it all.

Product Development Support: Helping founders refine their products through prototyping, validation, and market testing.

Investor Connections: When startups are ready, we connect them to angel and early-stage investors through our extensive network.

Regional Expansion: We open pathways for startups to scale across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

In short, we become the part-time co-founders every early-stage founder wishes they had, tackling everything outside the day-to-day hustle so they can focus on building their vision.

Who We Work With

We back ambitious founding teams with strong technical expertise and sales or marketing skills. Traction is valuable but not a requirement; what matters most is insight, resilience, and the determination to build something scalable.

About StartHub Venture Support Programs

If you’re an ambitious founder looking for tailored venture support, investor connections, and hands-on guidance to scale your business, the StartHub Venture support program is designed for you.

👉Learn more here: https://starthubafrica.org/tech/

Programs

0.1% Founders Program

The digital economy in Africa will be driven by bold founders who choose to build solutions that matter. The 0.1% Founders Program, now in its second season in Kenya, is designed to back those entrepreneurs early by equipping them with the tools, skills, and networks needed to transform ideas into scalable ventures.

Inside the Bootcamp

The Season 2 Bootcamp, hosted at Moringa School, brought together eight promising tech startups for an intensive five-day experience that blended in-class learning with field-based practical sessions. Over three days of training and two days in the field, founders immersed themselves in understanding their customers, refining their business models, testing their value propositions, and expanding their market reach. They also worked on venture development plans, sharpened their pitch decks, and practised delivering their stories with clarity and confidence.

Kenya Country Director, Timothy Maenda, with one of the innovators

From Bootcamp to Pitching Day

The bootcamp was followed by a pitching day, where each of the eight startups presented their vision and growth strategies. From that process, four were selected to move into the next stage of the program, a two-month hybrid incubation running from October to December. These teams will receive up to eight hours of tailored mentorship and coaching and hands-on venture growth support. For them, the journey ahead also includes a two-year acceleration path that will provide the structure and networks to scale with confidence.

Building More Than Businesses

Yet beyond the training and investment opportunities, the bootcamp was about building relationships. Founders learned not just from experts and mentors, but also from one another. They shared experiences, exchanged lessons, and built friendships that will outlast the program.

The future of Africa’s innovation ecosystem is being shaped today, and the 0.1% Founders Program is proud to play its part in ensuring these founders have every opportunity to succeed.

Programs

Empower YOU Businesses Receive Grants

The energy was high, the ideas were bold, and the ambition was unmistakable as 15 determined entrepreneurs took the stage at the Empower YOU Pitch Event in Lira city. Hosted under the Empower YOU program, this milestone event celebrated not just innovative pitches, but the growth, confidence, and community spirit of youth-led micro and small businesses in Uganda’s northern region.

Elevating Entrepreneurs in Lira and Gulu

Held on July 25, 2025, this pitch event provided a platform for participants from Lira and Gulu to present their businesses to a panel of judges after months of intensive training and mentorship. From eco-friendly fashion to innovative agro-processing and community-driven services, each pitch reflected the unique challenges these entrepreneurs aim to solve, and the impact they’re already making in their communities.

Conor Walsh, Country Director of Uganda and South Sudan at Caritas Switzerland, giving an opening remark.

Their journeys through the Empower YOU program have been defined by learning, adapting, and growing. With access to hands-on training, expert-led workshops, and personalised coaching, these entrepreneurs refined their business models, honed their pitches, and grew their confidence to speak boldly about their visions.

A Consortium Driving Youth Empowerment

The Empower YOU program is implemented by a dynamic consortium led by Caritas Switzerland (CACH) and includes StartHub Africa and Gulu Women’s Economic Development and Globalization (GWED-G). Together, the consortium aims to empower youth by:

Enhancing sustainable income generation and life skills

Promoting youth participation in policy, decision-making, and development processes at both national and local levels to foster greater social and economic inclusion

This multi-faceted approach ensures that young people are not only equipped to start businesses but are also empowered to lead within their communities and influence broader systems of change.

Recognizing Excellence: 11 Businesses Awarded Grants

Out of the 15 inspiring entrepreneurs who pitched, 11 were selected to receive grants to help them scale their businesses. These grants symbolise more than financial support; they’re a powerful endorsement of the potential and resilience of local ideas.

One of the recipients, Aber Carolyne, founder of Luo Chalk, produces high-quality chalk using locally sourced materials in Gulu. Reflecting on her journey through the program, she shared:

“This program has not only expanded our knowledge but has reshaped the way we run our business, driving real, measurable growth. We’ve seen significant changes in how we operate, make decisions, and position ourselves for sustainability and impact.”

Her experience highlights the transformative impact Empower YOU has on equipping entrepreneurs for real-world success, beyond just funding.

However, Empower YOU doesn’t stop at funding. Each participant, whether awarded a grant or not, will continue to receive follow-up mentorship and support. This approach ensures that every entrepreneur is equipped not only to sustain their ventures but to thrive and scale with resilience.

A Program That Goes Beyond Pitching

The strength of the Empower YOU program lies in its holistic support for youth-led businesses. It emphasises practical skills such as customer engagement, financial literacy, strategic thinking, and market access, preparing entrepreneurs for long-term success.

Each pitch day is a celebration of the work already accomplished, but it’s also a launchpad for what’s ahead. These entrepreneurs aren’t just building businesses, they’re creating jobs, stimulating local economies, and transforming lives.

Programs

Stanbic National Schools Championship 10

The Stanbic National Schools Championship (NSC) marked its 10th edition with an intensive and purpose-driven bootcamp held from May 4th to 9th, 2025, at Seroma Christian High School in Mukono District. Implemented by StartHub Africa, the week-long bootcamp brought together 150 schools from across Uganda, continuing the initiative’s mission to support the next generation of innovative thinkers and job creators.

The bootcamp delivered an inspiring learning experience for students and teachers. Through interactive sessions, participants engaged in a well-rounded curriculum that covered entrepreneurship, financial literacy, personal development, character building, and, importantly, psychosocial support.

“I left the Stanbic National Schools Championship Bootcamp not just a changed teacher but one full of zeal and charisma. The Battle of Champions Season 10 left an indelible mark with its diversity of sessions,” said Julia Nakyanzi, a fellow of the Stanbic NSC.

The integration of psychosocial support highlighted a progressive approach to youth development, recognising that personal well-being is vital to sustainable success. Students and teachers gained tools to manage stress and maintain a healthy mindset as they navigated their entrepreneurial journeys.

A key highlight of the bootcamp was the selection of the top 8 schools from each region and 4 outstanding alumni businesses. These teams were awarded seed capital to bring their business ideas to life. The funding serves as both validation of their hard work and a critical push towards transforming their ideas into tangible, impactful ventures.

These next steps will play a crucial role in supporting the students’ growth, ensuring that the investment drives real-world results.

StartHub is honoured to work with Stanbic Bank Uganda in this impactful initiative. We recognise the significant role Stanbic plays in driving social and economic development in Uganda, and the NSC serves as a powerful testament to this commitment. Through our combined efforts, we can empower young Ugandans to become the architects of their own success and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s future.

Programs

KAS Youth 4 Policy (Y4P) Innovation Fellowship

Innovation is the engine of economic growth and sustainable development. In Uganda, fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem requires strategic policies that address challenges and create opportunities for startups, investors, and industry players. Recognizing this need, the KAS Y4P Fellowship, implemented in collaboration with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and StartHub Africa, was designed to equip young policy researchers and writers with the knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s innovation policy landscape.

This initiative began with a bold vision to empower young Ugandans to shape policies through research and advocacy. Over the past six months, the fellowship provided participants with a structured and immersive experience, culminating in a milestone event where they presented their policy papers before key stakeholders. But the journey to that moment was one of dedication, learning, and collaboration.

Phase 1: Recruitment and Selection of Fellows

The first step of the fellowship involved identifying a cohort of passionate and talented individuals eager to explore policymaking in Uganda’s innovation sector. Applicants underwent a rigorous selection process, assessed on their research potential, analytical skills, and commitment to contributing to Uganda’s innovation ecosystem.

Once selected, the fellows embarked on a transformative journey, gaining access to mentorship, expert-led workshops, and peer learning opportunities.

The fellows at one of the expert-led workshops in Kampala

Phase 2: Research and Mentorship

The heart of the fellowship lay in the research process. Fellows worked on critical topics affecting Uganda’s innovation landscape, including:

Digital Transformation – Examining the role of technology in Uganda’s economic growth and the policies needed to support digital adoption.

Investment and Venture Capital – Addressing the financial hurdles startups face and exploring how venture capital can be more accessible.

AI Regulation – Assessing the current landscape of artificial intelligence and proposing regulatory frameworks to encourage ethical and sustainable AI development.

Financial Constraints for Startups – Identifying challenges entrepreneurs face in securing funding and proposing solutions to foster a more supportive financing environment.

Startup Financing and Ecosystem Development – Analyzing how Uganda can create a robust and sustainable startup ecosystem through policy interventions.

Throughout the fellowship, participants were guided by industry experts and policymakers who provided valuable insights, helping them refine their research and develop actionable policy recommendations.

Phase 3: Policy Writing and Refinement

As their research took shape, the fellows engaged in multiple feedback sessions to ensure their policy papers were impactful, well-structured, and backed by solid evidence. They participated in writing workshops, where they learned how to craft compelling policy arguments, present data effectively, and align their recommendations with real-world policy needs.

By the end of this phase, each fellow had developed a policy paper that provided actionable insights into Uganda’s innovation ecosystem. These papers were designed to highlight challenges and propose viable solutions that could inform future policymaking.

Phase 4: The Fellowship Graduation Event

The culmination of this journey was the KAS Y4P Fellowship graduation Event, held on February 27, 2025, at the StartHub Africa office in Bukoto. This event served as a platform for the fellows to showcase their work and engage with key stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, and innovation experts.

The KAS Y4P Fellowship was a movement toward evidence-based innovation policymaking in Uganda. As these policy papers circulate among stakeholders, they have the potential to influence real change in Uganda’s innovation ecosystem.

Programs

Innovate For Food Security National Demo Day

On November 22nd, 2024, the Innovate for Food Security Program reached an exciting milestone with the National Demo Day. This inspiring event celebrated the creativity and determination of young innovators who are addressing critical challenges in agriculture and food security, particularly in the context of climate change.

Zoe Fresh Bites pitching to the audience

The Innovate for Food Security Program has been a dynamic platform for university students and recent graduates from various institutions. Over several months, participants engaged in a structured journey that included ideathons, bootcamps, mentorship sessions, and pitch events.

This rigorous process was designed to help them refine their innovative ideas and bring them closer to reality. Out of numerous participants, 12 exceptional teams advanced to the final bootcamp, where they showcased their groundbreaking solutions to an audience of peers, mentors, and stakeholders.

Why This Program Matters

The program aims to address two vital objectives:

Tackling Climate Change and Food Security
By fostering the development of entrepreneurial ventures that mitigate the effects of climate change, the program seeks to strengthen food security and resilience in agriculture.
Empowering Youth in Agriculture
It encourages young people to explore income-generating opportunities within the agricultural value chain, providing them with tools, mentorship, and funding to succeed.

Through these goals, the Innovate for Food Security Program has become a catalyst for impactful, sustainable change in agriculture.

Celebrating the Achievements

The National Demo Day highlighted the impressive work of all participants, but six ventures stood out for their ingenuity, practicality, and sustainability. Among these, four received grants to scale their projects:

Revive Fruit Juice: This venture provides nutritious, ready-to-drink options as healthier alternatives to sugary beverages, particularly for hospital patients.
Zoe Fresh Bites: By creating organic, diabetic-friendly snacks with locally sourced ingredients, this venture meets the growing demand for health-conscious, sustainable products.
Maffy Juice Products: Addressing fruit waste, low local coffee consumption, and limited coffee-flavoured beverages, this initiative transforms challenges into opportunities through innovative solutions.
Perisseia Company Limited: Focused on eco-friendly skincare, this company offers organic cosmetics made from cow ghee, catering to the rising demand for natural beauty products.

The Innovate for Food Security Program doesn’t stop at the Demo Day. The journey continues with ongoing mentorship and support for all participants, ensuring that their ideas grow into impactful, sustainable ventures.

This event reaffirmed the incredible potential of youth-driven innovation in addressing global challenges. By empowering young entrepreneurs with the resources and guidance they need, the program is shaping a future where food security and resilience are achievable goals.

Programs

Empower YOU Pitch Event

On October 25th, 2024, the Empower YOU Pitch Event brought together 16 outstanding entrepreneurs from Lira and Gulu, showcasing their thriving businesses and the transformative power of innovation, resilience, and strategic support. This wasn’t just a day of pitching—it was a celebration of growth, community impact, and the unwavering entrepreneurial spirit that drives change.

A Celebration of Resilience and Innovation

The entrepreneurs, already making a difference in their communities, joined the Empower YOU program to amplify their impact. Through tailored training, hands-on workshops, and mentorship, they refined their business models and gained the confidence to scale their ventures. Their pitches demonstrated not only their dedication but also the potential of their ideas to address real needs and drive meaningful progress.

Ten exceptional businesses were awarded grants to supercharge their growth and operations. But the support didn’t end there—every entrepreneur will continue to receive mentorship and additional grants, ensuring that each journey is nurtured and every business has the resources to succeed.

The Empower YOU program stands out for its holistic approach to entrepreneurship. Beyond funding, it focuses on equipping entrepreneurs with essential skills such as problem-solving, customer engagement, and financial planning. Participants embraced challenges, applied new strategies, and demonstrated remarkable resilience.

The grants they received represent a beginning, not an end. Armed with enhanced knowledge, networks, and a supportive community, these entrepreneurs are ready to amplify their impact—creating jobs, boosting local economies, and building sustainable businesses that uplift their communities.

The Empower YOU project goes beyond individual success—it’s a movement to empower micro and small businesses as engines of change. By providing the right tools, mentorship, and opportunities, we’re investing in stronger communities, thriving economies, and a brighter future for all.

October 25 marked an important milestone, but it’s just the start. As these entrepreneurs embark on the next chapter of their journeys, we are excited to see them embrace new challenges and transform their communities through innovation and resilience.

Programs

Innovate For Employment Program Transformation

On October 11, 2024, we celebrated a transformative milestone as Cohort 2 of the Innovate4Employment program completed their journey, marking a powerful shift from education to meaningful employment and entrepreneurship. This cohort of 28 ambitious young graduates joined with a common goal: to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, arming themselves with the skills needed to excel in today’s workforce.

The Results: Inspiring and Impactful

The impact of their journey? Nothing short of inspiring. Within weeks of completion, 18 participants secured full-time roles with industry-leading organizations, and two others stepped confidently into entrepreneurship, launching ventures backed by the program’s insights and practical guidance. This success not only underscores each participant’s determination but also highlights the program’s effectiveness in preparing young professionals for real-world challenges.

Laura Althaus Mugagga, Co-founder, of StartHub Africa giving an opening speech during the Event

A Transformative 8-Week Journey

For the past 8 weeks, Innovate4Employment provided participants with immersive, hands-on internships through partnerships with prominent organizations. Each participant was paired with a host organization, gaining not only exposure but also the chance to actively contribute. These young innovators, guided by mentors, tackled real-world projects and were entrusted with meaningful responsibilities far beyond typical intern roles.

Armed with design thinking and problem-solving expertise honed through the program, they didn’t just observe—they made real contributions. Equipped to address complex challenges and collaborate with seasoned professionals, they brought bold ideas and innovation to every project.

From Bold Ideas to Real-World Solutions

Throughout their internships, participants worked closely with host organizations to address operational efficiency, product development, customer engagement, and more. The results of these efforts were tangible, impactful, and lasting: some projects led to cost-saving innovations, while others introduced entirely new processes that reshaped workflows. The project findings and recommendations presented by these young professionals left a lasting impression on their host organizations, demonstrating their ability to turn academic theory into actionable, value-adding solutions.

One of the participants receiving an Award for being the most creative participant

Laying a Foundation for Career Success

Innovate4Employment equipped graduates with technical knowledge and critical soft skills, such as adaptability, communication, and teamwork—essentials in today’s dynamic job market. For those who secured employment, the program served as a gateway to valuable entry points in their industries. They built networks, gained insights into workplace dynamics, and developed the resilience needed to thrive.

The program also set a solid foundation for our two budding entrepreneurs, providing them with the confidence and skills to pursue business ownership. Their journey in Innovate4Employment enabled them to transform innovative ideas into real-world solutions, equipping them to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.

A Commitment to Sustainable Impact

While the journey of Cohort 2 has reached a milestone, Innovate4Employment remains dedicated to empowering young professionals, helping them unlock potential, and enabling meaningful contributions to society. By equipping participants with practical skills and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, we’re building a future workforce that is adaptable, resilient, and ready to address tomorrow’s challenges.

See the Impact of Innovate4Employment in Action!

Want to witness the impact of Innovate4Employment firsthand?

Watch Testimonials from participants as they share their journeys and the transformative experiences that have set them on the path to success

Programs

Green Growth AgriHack Uganda 2024

StartHub Africa, together with the National ICT Innovation Hub and Garage48 proudly organized the Green Growth AgriHack Uganda 2024—a 48-hour hackathon aimed at solving critical agricultural challenges. The event brought together talented innovators and experts to develop practical digital solutions for sustainable agriculture, promoting climate adaptation, market stability, and resource management.

After two days of intensive brainstorming, prototyping, and mentorship, several teams emerged as winners for their transformative solutions. GrinTech took the overall prize with its Solar-Powered Smart Food Dehydrator, a solution that addresses post-harvest losses by using solar energy and smart sensors to monitor optimal drying conditions.

Two standout teams, MicroVest and HyMonitor, earned tickets to present their solutions at the prestigious Latitude 59 event in Nairobi. MicroVest developed a web platform that connects smallholder farmers to better market prices and financial services, while HyMonitor introduced a storage management system to help farmers monitor conditions and reduce crop spoilage.

Harvest Link was selected for the People’s Choice Award, winning participants’ hearts with its innovative approach to sustainable farming.

Several other promising teams secured spots in the upcoming bootcamp, where they will refine their prototypes and prepare to scale their impact. AgriLink offers a USSD & SMS-based platform to deliver market updates, weather forecasts, and farming best practices to rural farmers.

Hydroponics addresses malnutrition by enabling small farmers to grow nutritious food with water-efficient methods. The Eco Flash Dryer provides a cost-effective, eco-friendly cassava drying solution powered by cassava waste. Farm Quest introduces an AI-powered platform that gamifies agriculture, encouraging youth engagement through interactive educational tools.

A group photo with all the participants, mentors and organizers at the Hackathon

The Green Growth AgriHack Uganda 2024 has once again demonstrated the power of technology and collaboration to drive sustainable agricultural practices. With the support of StartHub Africa’s accelerator program, the top teams will further develop their solutions and scale them across Uganda and beyond.

We look forward to seeing how these innovators will continue to push the boundaries of sustainable agriculture and create lasting impact. Stay tuned for updates on their journey and progress.

A special thank you to Estonian Centre for International Development for their invaluable support in making this event possible.