Pitching Contest at Gulu University.
On Saturday 30th July 2022, the StartHub Chapter of Gulu University held its first Pitching Contest. The Pitching contest marked the end of the StartHub Academy – a 7-week program that supports university entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life through practical entrepreneurship trainings. 6 teams presented their innovative solutions to combat challenges faced in their communities. Today, we shine a light on these 6 teams that took part in the pitching at Gulu University.
Vendway Machines
Vendway is an automated vending machine that uses solar power to perform its intended tasks. The machine has a simple user interface and can be customized for several products and can be used in all parts of the country irrespective of whether there is power or not. The machine will combat issues such as language barrier, fixed accessibility, time wastage and disease spread through physical contact.
Plasti
Plasti is an initiative to combat plastic pollution in Africa through a device that has the capacity to detect the presence of plastic in the environment. After detection, the plastic is collected and recycled for use. This plastic is recycled into foldable shopping bags and recycled paper bags for further sale. Plasti stands for the re-use of plastic items other than burning them or disposing them as they will have a negative impact on the environment.
Arrumado Compound Services
Arrumado is a compound cleaning service that provides its customers with high quality and reliable lawn services at the cheapest prices in the country. Arrumado does this through provision of quality, faster, reliable and available services Using advanced technology by designing compounds, landscaping, cutting down of grass to ground level, and faster bush clearance for farmers. Their target customers are schools and Institutions, homes, government agencies and others in that category. In future, they hope to expand their services to other household chores.
Devofo
Devofo’s restaurants market place that helps university students access fresh food from restaurants. This application also helps with the delivery of the food ordered. The restaurant owners pay a monthly subscription to Devofo and the restaurants still pay money per plate delivered.
E2E Nutritional Flour
E2E nutritional enterprise offers a variety of fortified, packaged and branded high quality nutritional porridge flour to feed malnourished children in various hospitals and marginalized communities around Gulu city. Their major concern about nutrition is that it’s hard for people to find affordable and quality porridge. Even when it exists, it’s hard for the producers to meet the ultimate consumers which is why E2E exists.
Huge Harvest Organics
Huge harvests Organics helps farmers maximize their output by manufacturing and distributing high quality but affordable fertilizer. This fertilizer suppresses bad odors, improves the crop yield and also reduces algae growth in water masses or pools. Their target market is comprised of crop farmers in Gulu though there is a possibility of upscaling to other parts of the country.
What is Next?
The winning team, Vendway Machines will represent Gulu University at the National Inter-University Pitch Competition on November 26th. Vendway will compete for a shared grant of UGX 10,000,000 with 15 other innovators from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Gulu University, Busitema University, Kampala International University, King Ceasor University, and Muni University.