Deadline: 22-Aug-21
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) launched the project Survey on Start-up Ecosystem Strengthening in the Republic of Uganda to identify some key hypotheses about Uganda’s start-up ecosystem, and how JICA can support its growth.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) acknowledges that the Ugandan ICT industry is emerging and recognizes the economic importance of start-up companies. At the same time, JICA considers there are still various challenges in enhancing Uganda’s ecosystem and strengthening support for start-up companies, particularly the ICT sector.
After interviewing over 10 start-up hubs and over 20 start-ups in Uganda, the JICA Task Force (JICA TF) has found key challenges facing the growth of the Ugandan start-up ecosystem.
Based on these findings, the JICA Task Force in partnership with The Innovation Village, Hive Collab, and Outbox has launched a three-month pilot Accelerator Program (AP) to prove the hypotheses drawn from these findings and propose ways to address these key challenges for JICA’s future long-term support of Uganda’s start-up ecosystem.
Objectives
- To test a proposed approach to address the challenges in the Uganda startup eco-system.
- To help identify areas and strategies in which JICA can continue to support the growth of the Ugandan startups and ICT sector over the long term.
- To identify areas in Uganda’s start-up ecosystem that could be enhanced through future collaboration and provide more opportunities, including fundraising and/or business development opportunities, for start-ups at the growth stage
Why Join the Program?
- Advisor sessions: Businesses can seek advice from advisors within the industry.
- Business support: Includes feedback on the product and a better understanding of sector issues.
- Mentorship sessions: They have a strong network of mentors who provide advice on topics such as; marketing, scaling, legal issues, business strategy, and pitching to partners
- Executive networking: Startups will get exposure to corporate partners (and vice versa) through networking events.
- Potential partnership and funding opportunities: Establish a relationship to strategically support the goals of the business.
- Funding opportunities: Funding opportunities for growth-stage startups looking to raise 0.5 – 1 million dollars in investment.
Eligibility Criteria
Target audience: First-of-its-kind accelerator designed especially for businesses with market traction and earning above $50,000 per year in revenue, although exceptions apply
- Startups registered in Uganda
- Early or growth-stage startups. Ideas will not be accepted
- Startups that have been in operation for at least one year
- Startups that have an economically viable business model
- Demonstrate a strong promise of building a sustainable and impactful business
- Diverse and focused leadership team with at least one team member with strong sector expertise.
Selection Criteria
- Team: Presence of a full-time executive team of more than two people. Team experience in relation to problem.
- Business readiness for growth and expansion: Have you expanded to other countries
- Viable Business model
- The business must be registered
- Audited / Management books of accounts of the business
- Annual revenue of at least $50,000
For more information, visit https://ninjajica.cda.ug/