It is the world’s worst kept secret; being an entrepreneur is very tough. Running a startup in a third world economy like Uganda’s is hard. Being able to celebrate the first year anniversary of one’s startup is a feat many would love to reach. As is with the startup environment, information about where startups can get help from is not published in the dailies.
But we hope this preview will guide you. In this week’s edition, we present to you the events to look out for and the competitions or programmes you would want to try out for funding or mentorship.
EVENTS
The ACIA awards are in their 7th year of successful recognition of role of ICT in the country. As is their custom, under the events aligned with the awards are exhibitions/clinics where innovators are able to showcase their wonderful works to the general public openly.
This year round, the Uganda Communications Commission has introduced Innovation Clinics which will provide a platform to come in touch with well-established personnel in the ICT universe. These Innovation clinics involve presentations from key experts on different topics, and participants will be given an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas. The clinics will run for 2 days.
From a quick look at the list of previous ACIA Awards winners here, here and here, we can confidently recommend this event to anyone with an innovation that's seeking to address a pressing local problem.
2. THE ENTREPRENEUR ARSENAL – JANET BUGEMBE
The event is being organized by Startup Grind Kampala chapter. It features Janet Bugembe who is a young Entrepreneur with a thriving business career that started when she was 19.
Related: Startup Grind Kampala: Why they Charge for their Events!
This is a great opportunity for young people, especially girls, who'd like to start out on their entrepreneurial journey but seem to be at crossroads.
Women in business is a series of bi-monthly events, each one building on the experiences and conclusions drawn from previous gatherings. The events are held every other month with an effort to encompass business perspectives.
If you're a woman looking for a "family" to belong to, then this is an event for you. It is organized by WITU.
Check out more events here.
COMPETITIONS
Madrona is a creative software based in Seattle, Washington with roots in Mobile, Cross platform and GIS (Geographic Information Systems). They have extended their wings to Kampala and are keen on building a mobile focused, high performance team.
Mobile is the future to say the least and Madrona aims to ascertain that with this competition. This event perfectly suits those who fancy developing solutions to be used on Mobile.
2. FinTech Hive at DIFC Accelerator Programme
Are you an early-stage business venture? This is your pie. The FinTech Hive at DIFC is here with a platform to help you refine and test your proposition while rubbing shoulders with the world’s leading financial firms.
Fast track your concept and convert it into a strong, commercially viable proposition that has been tried and tested in one of the most demanding industries.
Africa Tech Pitch LDN is a video pitch competition providing an opportunity for African tech startups to showcase their solutions to the London Tech ecosystem.
The top 5 selected high-impact startup innovators will have the chance to exhibit during the London Tech Week in the exclusive company of over 4000 Tech experts and leaders in the field on 13th June, 2017.
If you're looking to scale beyond the Ugandan borders, then this is a perfect audience and opportunity.
Submit your startup for featuring on SDA here.
4. TechCrunch Startup Battlefield Africa
Finally! TechCrunch is hosting its first startup competition in Sub-Saharan Africa. The event is sponsored by Facebook. Although the event will happen in October, applications are now open and the deadline closes on 14th July 2017. This has been added as a bonus to allow you prepare your application adequately.
Check out more competitions here.
That's it for this week. Let's meet once again on Monday next week!