Tag Archive for: pitching

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. 

Luo Chalk Team pitching their business

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. 

Uganda faces a significant issue with food preservation, leading to widespread post-harvest losses. Additionally, with the rise in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity, there is a growing demand for healthier snack alternatives. Unfortunately, the local market offers very limited options that are sugar-free, gluten-free, and made from fresh, organic ingredients. Zoe Fresh Bites seeks to bridge this gap by providing wholesome, locally produced snacks tailored to people’s dietary needs. 

The Genesis of Zoe Fresh Bites 

Zoe Fresh Bites was founded in October 2024 by Nabulya Sarah and her co-founder, Jonah Mike Ongona, an agriculturalist and environmental scientist. Motivated by their personal experiences with food waste and dietary challenges in their communities, they envisioned a business that adds value to fresh produce while promoting wellness. Together, they set out to create healthy snack options for people with dietary restrictions, children, and those seeking to make better food choices. 

Support from StartHub Africa 

Nabulya joined the Innovate for Food Security program to find answers and refine her vision. Initially focused on creating snacks for people with diabetes, her idea evolved significantly during the program. From defining food insecurity to engaging in research and development, the program helped shape Zoe Fresh Bites into a mission-driven business. The ideathons, boot camps, and mentorship sessions introduced essential tools like the Business Model Canvas and emphasized the importance of customer feedback. 

Nabulya Sarah Pitching during the Innovate For Food Security National Demo Day, 2024

Funding, Challenges and Solutions 

With funding from StartHub Africa, Zoe Fresh Bites acquired essential baking equipment, enabling them to develop and test two products. This milestone allowed them to engage 20 initial clients, gather valuable feedback, and improve product shelf life. The funding marked a critical transition from concept to market-ready products and laid the groundwork for scaling production. 

Despite their success, the team faced challenges, particularly with financial planning and production inefficiencies. Early bookkeeping efforts were not detailed enough, leading to overspending. Additionally, product testing led to losses due to unrefined formulas. By categorising expenses, creating departmental budgets, and testing small batches before scaling, they minimised waste and optimised product quality. 

Samples of the Zoe Fresh Bites Snack

Vision for the Future 

Looking ahead, Zoe Fresh Bites aims to scale up production, introduce new healthy snack varieties, and expand its customer base both locally and regionally. They are committed to continuing their journey with customers, co-creating products that meet real nutritional needs while supporting local agriculture and sustainability. 

Zoe Fresh Bites is more than a snack brand, it is a movement toward healthier living and community impact. For Nabulya Sarah, the journey is deeply personal. ‘Who are you learning with?’ she reflects. ‘Growing with those around you is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.’ With a passionate team and a clear vision, Zoe Fresh Bites is well on its way to redefining healthy snacking in Uganda. 

Starting and growing a business comes with its fair share of challenges, but for Immaculate Akello, the journey has been one of resilience, learning, and transformation. As a skincare product formulator and the founder of Keri Naturals, Immaculate is dedicated to producing natural, chemical-free skin and hair products using shea butter. Her products cater to various skin types, from dry and oily to normal and combination skin.  

Overcoming Business Challenges 

Before joining the Empower YOU project, Immaculate struggled with record-keeping. Although she was making sales, she couldn’t accurately determine her profit margins. “I wasn’t keeping proper records, so all I knew was that I had enough money to pay rent, restock my products, and meet daily expenses,” she recalls. 

During the program’s record-keeping sessions, she was introduced to Zoho Books, a tool that helped her track her sales and expenses. Through this, she discovered that some of her low-margin products, like plain shea butter, had a 60% profit margin per kilogram. This insight allowed her to prioritize high-margin products and focus on the most profitable aspects of her business. 

Immaculate Akello, Founder of Keri Naturals

Finding a Support System 

Beyond financial management, the most significant impact of the Empower YOU program for Immaculate was the sense of community it provided. “I started this business in Kampala, but when I moved to Lira, I felt isolated. I didn’t have many young entrepreneurs to interact with,” she shares. Through the Empower YOU project, she connected with like-minded entrepreneurs who became her support system.  

Growing Through Digital Marketing 

Another major transformation in her business came through social media marketing. Initially, Keri Naturals relied on walk-in customers and WhatsApp referrals. However, after a session with a social media expert, Immaculate set up business accounts on various platforms. One of her fellow program participants helped her design content for TikTok, and within just a month, she began seeing results. 

“We now receive at least two orders daily from TikTok and get inquiries from five to ten potential customers each day. Our online presence is growing, and it’s incredible to see how digital marketing is opening new opportunities for us,” she says. 

Winning and Scaling Up 

Securing a top three spot in the Empower YOU competition was a defining moment for Immaculate. “It showed me that someone believes in my idea. There were times I doubted myself and thought about returning to legal practice, but this recognition has renewed my energy.” 

Immaculate Akello receiving the Empower YOU Award

With the UGX 3 million prize money, she plans to invest in equipment to scale her production. “Right now, I only have a small hand mixer that can whip two kilograms of shea butter at a time. With the new mixer, I’ll be able to process eight to ten kilograms. I’m also getting a filling machine to improve our packaging process, making it more efficient and hygienic.” 

Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with challenges, lessons, and growth. For Ojok Moses Walter, founder of House Ojok Investments Limited, the Empower YOU project was a game-changer. Based in Gulu City, House Ojok Investments is an agro-processing company specializing in chili products. Since its inception, the company has developed three products in the chili value chain: chili powder, chili sweet and hot sauce, and chili garlic oil. 

Overcoming Challenges with Empower YOU 

“Before joining the Empower YOU program, we struggled with marketing and distribution. Despite having high-quality products, reaching the right market and increasing sales was a major challenge,” said Moses Walter. “The program provided us with the training and mentorship we needed to tackle these issues head-on, equipping our business with essential strategies to expand our reach and improve sales.”

A Turning Point in the Program 

The real transformation came during the Acceleration phase of the program. One of the most impactful lessons came from a session on business survival. Learning that an average business takes about three years to break even was an eye-opener. This insight reassured Moses that House Ojok Investments was on the right trajectory, and with focused efforts, breaking even before their second anniversary was an achievable goal. 

The program also introduced new perspectives on sales strategy. Moses learned that if he wanted to secure 100 sales, he needed to reach at least 1,000 potential customers—a 10% conversion rate. This realization pushed the team to aggressively expand their marketing efforts, and the results were almost immediate. Sales numbers began to rise as they refined their sales approach, shifting from merely highlighting the quality of their products to addressing the specific needs of their B2B clients. Instead of just telling shopkeepers how good the product was, they now emphasized how fast it could move off the shelves and the profit margins retailers could expect. Speaking the customer’s language made all the difference. 

Winning the Empower YOU Grant 

“Receiving the Empower YOU grant was a defining moment for House Ojok Investments. It wasn’t just my win—it was a victory for my entire team, our loyal customers, and the community that has supported us. The grant came at a crucial time, just as we were preparing to scale and needed the financial backing to seize new opportunities,” said Moses Walter.

A moment of triumph as Ojok Moses Walter proudly received his Empower YOU award

One of the most immediate needs the funding will address is packaging. A major opportunity arose through StartHub Africa—signing a distributorship contract with a company handling distribution in Kampala and Mid-Western Uganda. This required proper packaging of products, something the company had struggled to afford due to high costs. The grant will now make it possible to invest in quality packaging that meets market standards. 

Additionally, the funding will help expand inventory to meet growing demand. Shortly after receiving the award, the company landed an order for ten cartons—over 50% of its current inventory. With increasing orders, ensuring a steady supply of products is essential to maintaining both local and national demand. 

Looking Ahead 

With the support of the Empower YOU program, House Ojok Investments is poised for remarkable growth. The lessons learned, the refined sales strategies, and the financial boost have set the business on a path toward sustainability and success. 

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

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.

In a world where food insecurity and climate change pose significant challenges to communities, innovative solutions in agriculture have become critical. Anyango Robinah, a fourth-year student at Gulu University, is tackling this issue head-on through her entrepreneurial venture in beef processing. With a passion for improving food security and fostering sustainable agricultural practices, Robinah joined the Innovate For Food Security (I4FS) program  spearheaded by StartHub Africa and Ennovate Ventures in partnership with NOREC. Her journey represents the potential for young innovators to drive change in the fight against hunger and environmental degradation. 

Robinah’s passion for food security began long before she joined the Innovate For Food Security program. “I was already involved in a business focused on food security,” she shares, “and I saw that StartHub Africa empowers students to tackle these issues. I wanted to deepen my understanding of how business works, and I realized StartHub would be my best choice.” Robinah’s decision to join the program was driven by her desire to gain more knowledge and to find ways her venture could make a broader impact on food security. 

The five-day ideathon was a game-changer for Robinah. One of the most memorable experiences was the “50K Challenge,” where participants had to come up with a business idea that could be executed within two hours using only 50,000 UGX. “This exercise made me realize that even with a small amount of capital, you can start a business and grow it over time,” she recalls. The challenge also introduced Robinah to practical tools for business planning, such as creating flyers and using a business model canvas. “It taught me that small beginnings can lead to big results,” she says. 

Meet Robinah Anyango

Following the ideathon, the three-day bootcamp provided Robinah with a deeper understanding of how to refine her business model. “The bootcamp was crucial in helping me focus on market research and the business model canvas,” she notes. During this phase, she learned more about customer behavior and how to strategically build a sales funnel. “I gained insights into how to attract and retain customers, which made me feel more confident about scaling my business,” she adds. 

The eight-week coaching, and mentorship phase transformed Robinah’s entrepreneurial mindset. “The mentorship taught me the importance of project planning, record keeping, and tracking my tasks,” she explains. This structured approach has allowed her to think long-term about her business and plan for future growth. “I now know how to plan ahead for what I want to achieve, and that has made a big difference in how I manage my venture,” she says. The coaching has also helped her fine-tune her operational strategies, making her business more efficient and sustainable. 

Robinah’s beef processing business is directly contributing to the fight against food insecurity by ensuring access to affordable and sustainable food sources. “We’re promoting economic access to food by producing high-quality beef with minimal input costs,” she explains. Additionally, her venture emphasizes sustainable agricultural practices, reducing reliance on fossil fuels by using electricity and solar power for production. “We encourage farmers to grow more crops and plant trees, particularly for zero-grazing systems. This not only boosts food security but also helps mitigate climate change,” she says, highlighting the dual impact of her business on both food availability and environmental sustainability. 

Robinah pitched her business idea confidently on demo day

Robinah is determined to move her business forward. “I plan to complete my research, obtain UNBS certification, and collaborate with other businesses in the beef production sector,” she says. By securing the necessary certifications and partnerships, she hopes to expand her market reach and increase her business’s impact on food security. “These steps will allow me to grow my business and contribute even more to solving food insecurity,” she adds with determination. 

Participating in the Innovate For Food Security program has completely reshaped Robinah’s perspective on entrepreneurship in agriculture. “The program has given me the confidence to pursue my business idea and the skills to improve it,” she reflects. She now sees entrepreneurship as a powerful tool for creating sustainable solutions to food security. “You can start small, but with the right mindset and support, it can grow into something that makes a big difference,” she advises. 

We’re thrilled to announce StartHub Africa as the official Implementing Partner for the Stanbic National Schools Championship (NSC) 2024, Season 9! This prestigious initiative, spearheaded by Stanbic Bank, aligns perfectly with StartHub’s unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurial spirit within Ugandan schools. 

Why is StartHub a Perfect Fit for the NSC? 

At StartHub, fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs in Africa is at the core of everything we do. We believe that young minds hold immense potential, brimming with creative ideas and the drive to make a difference. The NSC aligns perfectly with this vision, providing a platform for students to develop their entrepreneurial spirit and turn their innovative ideas into reality. 

Apply Here: https://stanbicnsc.ug  

StartHub is dedicated to equipping young Ugandans with the skills and resources they need to succeed in the ever-evolving world. Through the NSC, we’ll be actively involved in the following: 

Curriculum Development: We’ll play a key role in refining the program’s curriculum, ensuring it equips students with the latest knowledge and practical strategies for entrepreneurial success. 

Mentorship and Training: Our network of experienced mentors will guide and support participating students, providing invaluable insights and guidance throughout the competition. 

Bootcamp Facilitation: We’ll be actively involved in designing and delivering the intensive bootcamp program, a crucial phase where top student teams hone their business acumen and refine their competitive edge. 

StartHub is honoured to work with Stanbic Bank Uganda in this impactful initiative. We recognize 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. 

On Monday 20th June 2022, the StartHub chapter at Kyambogo University held its pitching contest. This was at the end of the 7 week-long program that supports students with interest in entrepreneurship give life to their ideas. There were five(5) teams that presented their ideas to a board of adjudicators on how they had planned to combat the different challenges faced in their communities. Here is an overview of what the different teams pitched about. 

NEST APP.-Wandulu Victor 

Nest is an All-in-one student app that helps students with campus navigation, access to University information, access to lecture notes and past papers and convenient distribution of pas papers. Nest makes this easy by providing 3D models of the campus to ease navigation, provide e-notice board and also offer students an online presence to manage their university information. 

SOLAR POWERED JACKET.-Ssejungo Rodney Jonathan 

This is a self-recharging device that uses solar energy to power mobile phones and other devices. This gives people or users a chance to recharge while at leisure. The jacket comes with an inbuilt system that charges mobile phones, laptops and other portable devices. This product mostly targets students, government enumerators and boda-boda cyclists. 

TEXTURED CROWN-Namutebi Sudesh Leila 

This is an initiative to reduce unemployment among young women by providing natural hair school and a salon. It also looks at improving on the knowledge concerning natural hair care in Uganda. Textured crown targets salon owners in Kampala that don’t want to go into the hustles of training their employees and female clients aged 25-40 years old that are conversant with digital products. 

YOUR HELP. – Vanessa Williams Kabugo 

Your help is an application where people can easily get a baby-sitter, shamba boy or house-help with specific interests. The application aims at helping single parents with toddlers and households that have children less than 10 years old. 

RA FRUITERY-Nabirye Penninah 

RA fruitery is a fruit juice initiative that makes juice for corporate events and small retail businesses. Their business is centered around solving nutritional issues that are caused by difficulties in accessing affordable and healthy juice blends. 

Next steps. 

Textured Crown which emerged as the winner at the pitching contest at Kyambogo University will represent Kyambogo University at the National Inter-University pitching competition on November 26th 2022. It will compete for a shared grant of Ugx.10, 000,000 with other 15 innovators from different universities. 

 

 

On Saturday 27th August 2022, the StartHub Chapter of Muni 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. 8 teams presented their innovative solutions to combat challenges faced in their communities. Today, we shine a light on these 8 teams that participated in pitching contest at Muni University

AF-LANG by Oresto Adomati  

AF-Lang is a platform that helps everyone learn any local language asynchronously. The platform will make it easier for anyone to learn any African language at anytime anywhere without having to physically go to a learning center. It is a one stop learning platform for thousands of African languages. It will also provide translations services for individuals and organizations.  

EMERGENCY APP by Cotridah Namayanja  

The Emergency Application is a company that connects individuals and organizations to emergency services. The application makes it easier for individuals and organizations to manage and respond to emergencies such as fire outbreaks, break-ins, pregnancies, accidents etc. by connecting them to service providers reducing the effects of the emergencies.  

HOME WITH YOU by Eric Tibia  

Home with you is a tech real estate marketplace enabling students search and find low-cost housing. The application also provides landlords and apartment owners with an avenue to manage their properties and payments from tenants.  

SAFE FRIDGE by Denis Osuta  

Safe Fridge is a low-cost storage solution for vendors and farmers. After noticing the wastage that comes from perishable goods like tomatoes. Safe Fridge provides a 24/7 solar powered storage device that vendors and other parties along the value chain can use to store their goods reducing wastage coming from goods perishing and increasing incomes got from sales.  

THE FOOD HUB by Ayikoru Jovia  

The Food Hub promises to make it easier for students to have healthy eating options at a low cost. The platform provides a variety of food options for students, a 24/7 ordering window, and a delivery option.  

ALPHA AGRO SERVICE by Farouk Mandela  

Alpha Agro Services enables farmers increase their farm yields by providing them with genuine/ quality inputs, technical knowledge, and a ready market for their produce by connecting them with markets.  

 

SAO CHICKEN by Adrian Ssengendo  

SAO Chicken makes it possible for residents of Arua City to have quality, consistent supply of chicken meat with variety in chicken parts. SAO Chicken also makes it possible to order cut-up chicken and have it delivered at the doorsteps of its customers.   

PIGGERY UNIT by Aludriyo Dominic 

Piggery Unit is solving the shortage of quality pork within Arua City by sourcing farmers, providing them with the necessary knowledge, breeds to improve their harvests and connecting to them to markets for their harvests at great market prices.  

What is Next?  

The winning team, AF-Lang will represent Muni University at the National Inter-University Pitch Competition on November 26th. AF-Lang 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.  

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