Startup – StartHub Africa

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.

Insights

A Journey of Growth and Community

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.”

Features

House Ojok and Agro-Processing

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.

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.

Features, Programs

The Power of Creative Learning: Exploring FunLearn’s Approach

Imagine a world where learning explodes with vibrant colours, where every lesson is an artistic adventure. This isn’t just a dream; it’s the reality FunLearn is creating!

Funlearn isn’t your typical classroom. Led by the visionary Baliira Rodney, Funlearn is a kaleidoscope of artistic and academic threads woven together to craft an educational experience that ignites imaginations.

But why? Because traditional education often overlooks the power of modern, creative approaches to learning. Funlearn believes every student has a wellspring of creative potential, just waiting to be unlocked!

Baliira Rodney CEO and Founder of FunLearn Club

Baliira’s story itself is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a burning passion for art, they were stifled by the limitations of traditional art classes. The high costs and outdated curriculum made exploring digital art and animation a distant dream. This frustration became the seed of Funlearn: a platform designed to make modern art education accessible, engaging, and, most importantly, fun!

What makes Funlearn unique? Forget dull lectures! Funlearn is all about dynamic, interactive learning. They offer a vibrant range of digital art courses, from animation design to web development, all designed to captivate imaginations and empower students to unleash their creativity through multimedia engagement.

This innovative approach hasn’t been easy. Funlearn, like any startup, has navigated the ever-changing landscape of education. They began as a school club, a spark of artistic exploration for students. From there, they partnered with schools to integrate their courses into curriculums. Today, they offer short courses for adults, fostering a love for lifelong learning and skill development.

Of course, there have been challenges. Initial resistance from schools and educators was a hurdle, but Funlearn met it head-on. By engaging teachers and introducing curriculum-aligned competitions, they’ve earned a place in the education community.

This success wouldn’t be possible without the invaluable support of StartHub, a guiding light on Funlearn’s path. StartHub’s mentorship, strategic guidance, and financial support have been essential for growth and impact.

The future of Funlearn is brimming with ambition. They envision a physical mega-school, a haven for comprehensive education in digital art, IT, and innovation. Their goal? To become a global leader in creative education, empowering students worldwide to unlock their creative potential.

Baliira Rodney sharing knowledge with students

Funlearn isn’t just about teaching art; it’s about nurturing innovation. By instilling creative problem-solving skills from a young age, they’re shaping a future generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. They want students to see education not as memorising facts, but as a gateway to imaginative thinking and real-world impact.

Are you ready to join this exhilarating adventure? Whether you’re a student yearning to explore your artistic side or an educator passionate about fostering creativity, Funlearn has a place for you. Together, let’s unlock the limitless potential of education and unleash the transformative power of creativity!

click here to learn more about FunLearn http://www.funlearnclub.com

Features, Programs

ShareCARD: A Ugandan Tech Startup Using Data to Drive Social Change

In the fabric art of social innovation, ShareCARD’s tale shines brightly, empowering organizations with the intricate threads of data intelligence to weave impactful projects and effectively reach beneficiaries. Steering the course of this transformative journey is Sandra Awilli, the co-founder and lead innovator of ShareCARD, whose vision and resilience have propelled the company from humble beginnings to the forefront of social innovation.

Sandra Awilli, CEO and co-founder of ShareCARD

ShareCARD’s inception was rooted in a mission to address a pressing societal need: the lack of access to menstrual hygiene essentials for girls, particularly during the challenging lockdown period. The company’s inaugural initiative, PadShare, emerged as a beacon of hope amidst adversity, serving as a pilot project to democratize access to sanitary pads. Notably, ShareCARD’s groundbreaking efforts garnered acclaim, clinching the top prize at the 1st EU Global Hackathon between 2020 and 2021, a testament to its innovative approach and unwavering dedication.

Sandra Awilli, at the EU Global Hackathon Summit in Morocco — Sandra Awilli at the EU Global Hackathon submit in Morocco

At the heart of ShareCARD’s mission lies its commitment to leveraging technology for social good. The company offers Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions focused on data management, providing organizations with real-time insights into project progress and beneficiary services. With customizable dashboards and inclusive features like beneficiary cards, ShareCARD empowers users to streamline data collection and analysis, bridging the gap between online and offline environments.

Like many startups, ShareCARD navigates a challenging terrain on its path to success, Sandra, a non-technical founder, encounters difficulties in finding skilled engineers and securing funding in Uganda’s competitive market. However, through perseverance, personal growth, and strategic networking, ShareCARD overcomes these obstacles, with organizations like StartHub playing a pivotal role in providing guidance and support along the way.

Sandra dreams of a future where ShareCARD empowers positive change and lasting progress, fueled by the illuminating power of data. With ambitious goals for revenue growth, team expansion, and market penetration, ShareCARD aims to establish itself as a leading force in shaping data management policies and influencing key decisions at all levels. Through collaborative efforts and innovative initiatives, ShareCARD is poised to make a tangible impact in communities across Africa and beyond.

ShareCARD participating at the Uganda Innovation week — ShareCARD participating in the Uganda Innovation Week

As ShareCARD embarks on its journey towards a brighter future, one thing remains abundantly clear: the power of data to drive meaningful change cannot be overstated. Through their unwavering commitment to leveraging technology for social good, ShareCARD is not just revolutionizing the way organizations manage data; they are empowering communities, transforming lives, and paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable future. In the landscape of social innovation and impact-driven enterprises, ShareCARD stands as a beacon of hope, inspiring others to harness the power of data to create a better world for all.

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

Insights

Masterclass – Learn how to develop a business idea that can attract investment by StartHub & KAIN

Every great startup starts with just an idea. To make an idea a reality will require an investment. Investors do not fund just about any idea, they specifically look for certain things in every business idea. In this masterclass alongside Kampala Angel Investment Network, we teach young entrepreneurs how to come up with an idea that can attract funding.

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Why This Program Matters

Celebrating the Achievements