Startup Grind started all the way from Silicon Valley and has been able to spread across the globe. However, few understand the concept. It was briefly introduced in Kampala three years ago but went under the water.
In this interview, we get to understand why and what the event has for Ugandan entrepreneurs as we interact with the event's new Ugandan Chapter director - Jane Ndibarekera.
- What is Startup Grind (Kampala)?
Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. It is powered by Google for Entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in 150 cities and 65 countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies.
We believe in making friends, not contacts. We believe in giving, not taking. We believe in helping others before helping yourself. We are truly passionate about helping founders, entrepreneurs and startups succeed. We intend to make their startup journey less lonely, more connected and more memorable.
Kampala is one of the cities that hosts these kinds of events and we have successfully had one event where we hosted Julie Muriuki from Nairobi.
- You launched in 2014 (in Kampala) but went mute thereafter. What happened? And, why have you decided to come back in 2017
Yes at first the Kampala Chapter was being directed by Richard Zulu but he got busy with other commitments and it went mute.
I attended a startup grind event in Nairobi in August last year and was inspired by what they were doing so I asked for more details and I ended up applying again to be the next Chapter Director. So we are now back and in full shape.
3. This is your second event this year. How did the first one go and what should attendants expect from this one?
The first event was a complete success, it was the first time of organizing such an event and we were able to get over 40 attendants. The feedback we got was very good and I believe we shall get even more people this time.
This month we as the Startup Grind family is hosting female founders in all the different countries so we are hosting Janet Bugembe the founder of Cinq Diamandes Investments and Cinq Diamandes (U) Ltd and she will be sharing her life as a female founder and also a mentor. Attendants should expect to get tips on how to be successful as women entrepreneurs.
4. Both events this year have hosted regional speakers - is your current focus on exploring regional thought leaders?
We are not targeting only regional speakers but since we have just resumed hosting events, we need to first gain ground and also have enough sponsorship.
5. What should Ugandan startup founders and entrepreneurs expect from you the remaining part of the year?
They should expect that we are going to change the way entrepreneurs think because we are going to bring entrepreneurs who are going to change their mindsets.
- Most events around Kampala are free of charge but still struggle to attract attendants. Will the paid for event attract these people? Why so?
Yes we understand that and we have been discouraged by many people but the main reasons we do this is because we want to attract the intended audience for these events that is people who are actually going to benefit but not people who just want the free refreshments.
For more information about the Startup Grind Kampala event, you can follow them on their social media channels; Facebook and Twitter or join the chat group on Meetup!