Food Lab for African Ventures and Opportunities for Resilient Women (FLAVOR Kampala) is a subsidized shared food production facility in Bukoto, Kampala. It is implemented by StartHub Africa in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) under the GROW Project, financed by the World Bank.
StartHub is preparing about 200 square meters of the StartHub Extension on its Innovation Hub compound and equipping it with shared machinery. Food entrepreneurs can use high-quality equipment to produce more, improve their products, and grow their businesses, with technical and food safety support and a community of other producers.
To support food and beverage businesses in Kampala, with priority for women-led businesses, to grow and increase their income. We do this by giving them paid access to a shared, UNBS-certifiable food production facility that removes the machinery, quality, and market barriers holding them back.
Selected participants will access a shared production space with equipment for roasting, packaging, baking, drying and more. You will receive practical induction on machinery use before operating equipment.
Participants will receive individual support from food scientists to improve product formulations, improve product quality, and understand standards requirements need for UNBS certification and for commercial growth.
Participants will have opportunities to showcase and sell their products through market days, connect with customers, learn from other producers, and an opportunity for top participants to join a pilot distribution service.
Entrepreneurs running existing food and beverage businesses whose growth is constrained by limited access to machinery and suitable production space. We are looking for entrepreneurs ready to improve their products, increase production, and make regular use of a shared facility. The facility is tailored for:
The first intake is 50 members, selected through the call for founding members.
Food and beverage entrepreneurs who meet the following criteria:
*Businesses that are not selected as founding members are still welcome to use the facility once it is launched.
Apply until: 13 Nov 2026.
What are founding members?
Founding members are the first group of entrepreneurs selected to join FLAVOR Kampala. They will be among the first businesses to access the facility once it opens and will have opportunities to share ideas and provide feedback on how the space is established and operated.
What are the benefits of becoming a founding member?
Founding members will have the opportunity to join the facility from the beginning, contribute ideas about equipment and production needs, participate in community activities, and help shape the space.
What happens if I am not selected as a founding member?
Entrepreneurs who are not selected as founding members will still be welcome to use the facility once it officially opens. Being unsuccessful in the first application process does not automatically exclude an entrepreneur from accessing FLAVOR Kampala in the future.
Is FLAVOR Kampala only for women?
No. FLAVOR Kampala welcomes applications from everyone. However, priority will be given to women entrepreneurs and women led businesses, in line with the project’s objective of supporting women’s economic empowerment.
Can entrepreneurs outside Kampala apply?
FLAVOR Kampala is located in Bukoto and primarily targets food and beverage businesses operating in Kampala. Applicants should consider whether they can regularly access and use the facility. Any specific geographical restrictions will be communicated through the official application guidelines.
What types of food businesses can use the facility?
FLAVOR Kampala is designed to support businesses producing baked goods, snacks, dairy products, pasteurised beverages, juices, dried fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, flours, powders, spices, nut butters, pastes, sauces, honey, and oils. The final range of supported products will depend on the equipment installed at the facility.
What types of production activities will be supported?
Depending on the equipment available, entrepreneurs will be able to undertake activities such as drying, milling, grinding, pasteurising, roasting, blending, filling, and packaging. The final range of activities will be confirmed once equipment procurement and installation are completed.
Apply until: 13 Nov 2026
For more information, get in touch: l.ayaa@starthubafrica.org
Phone: 0778057020
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