Uni Launch and Scale Program
Providing practical entrepreneurship training, expert mentorship, and financial inclusion opportunities.
CRDB Bank Foundation and StartHub Africa present the Uni Launch and Scale Program – an initiative to empower university students and recent graduates with business ideas or running businesses into successful entrepreneurs.
Through practical entrepreneurship training, expert mentorship, and financial inclusion opportunities, we’re creating a financially inclusive community, generating jobs for others, and enhancing Tanzania’s economy.
Through ideation training at three partner universities, 494 students have been equipped with key entrepreneurial skills. Participants learned how to validate business models, refine their business plans, and understand the fundamentals of building scalable startups ready to grow and respond to real-world market demands.
Selected participants are matched with expert mentors and established startups for tailored guidance. This component fosters sector-specific insights, peer learning, and strategic connections; helping young entrepreneurs navigate their growth journey with support from experienced professionals and industry leaders.
Thirty high-potential businesses will take part in a 5-day bootcamp in Dar es Salaam, designed to sharpen their models and prepare for investment. The program concludes with a Demo Day, where teams will pitch for a chance to win up to 15 million TZS in seed funding.
Hands-on entrepreneurship training
Personalized mentorship from industry experts
Access to up to 15M TZS in seed funding
Priority access to CRDB iMBEJU soft loans
Networking with peers, mentors, and established startups
Exposure to strategic growth and funding opportunities
Enhanced visibility through CRDB and StartHub Africa
Strong innovative business idea or existing business venture
Existing business is an added advantage
iMBEJU Account holders receive priority consideration
Important: Mentorship and Bootcamp participation is by invitation only, based on submitted applications.
The Uni Launch and Scale Program is an initiative by CRDB Bank Foundation and StartHub Africa designed to empower university students and recent graduates with entrepreneurial training, mentorship, and access to funding to help them grow their businesses.
Eligible applicants include current students from the University of Dar es Salaam, University of Iringa, and Institute of Accountancy Arusha, as well as recent graduates (within 2 years) from any Tanzanian university.
Participants will be matched with industry experts and established startups to receive personalized guidance and peer-learning opportunities.
30 participants will be selected to attend a 5-day intensive bootcamp in Dar es Salaam.
Up to 15 million TZS in seed funding is available for the top-performing businesses selected during the bootcamp.
Applicants with an iMBEJU account receive priority consideration during the selection process, plus other iMBEJU Account benefits like, zero monthly maintenance fees, making and receiving payments using TemboCards, Cheque Books, SimBanking, Internet banking, interest rates on savings, easy access to grants up to TZS 30 million, and insurance cover that covers death, permanent total disability, and catastrophe.
Phase | Date |
| Ideation Training | May 26, 2025 |
| Applications Open | August 4, 2025 |
| Applications Close | September 5, 2025 |
| Cohort Announcement | Aug 18, 2025 |
| Mentorship & Matchmaking | August – October 2025 |
| Bootcamp & Demo Day | October 2025 |
This program is implemented by CRDB Bank Foundation and StartHub Africa. For more information, get in touch: z.emanueli@starthubafrica.org

Building Bridges