On 16 October 2019, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and Startup Uganda, an association of Uganda’s startup enablers, launched the Kampala Innovation Week (KIW) 2019. The objective of this new initiative is to raise Uganda’s profile in the startup space by providing visibility to startup entrepreneurs, attracting investors and developing global partnerships.

The three-day event, which is taking place at the Kololo Independence Grounds from Wednesday, 16^th – Friday, 18^th October 2019 will provide a platform for the startup ecosystem to build the knowledge, network and infrastructure that is required for startup enterprises in Uganda to succeed.

Participants will hear inspiring testimonies from the leading startups in Uganda including the Kentaro Handmade Organics, Zimba Women, Safeboda, Raintree Farms, and Pegasus Technologies. The event also has a line-up of panel discussions and masterclasses facilitated by development professionals, venture capitalists, investors and fintech experts. Winners of the pitch competition that will be held throughout the event, will have the opportunity to join the Seedstars Africa Summit where they will compete to participate in a three-months Growth Program Online and the Global Seedstars Summit; with the chance to win up to USD500,000 in equity investment.

“The Kampala Innovation Week is a demonstration that working together to build our startup ecosystem is possible and the benefits are immense,” Richard Zulu, the founder of Outbox Hub and chairperson of Startup Uganda, said.

The initiative is in line with UNCDF’s Inclusive Digital Economy programme that is geared towards ensuring that “no Ugandan is left behind in the digital era” through directly enabling at least one million people in Uganda to lead productive and healthy lives, by expanding access and usage of digital services that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

“UNCDF is working closely with our partners to invest in digital innovation within the spaces of agriculture, healthcare, education, energy, finance and transportation. By supporting initiatives such as Startup Uganda (and the Kampala Innovation Week), we are fostering inclusive innovation and promoting the growth of startups to mobilize their potential for achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,” Dmitry Pozhidaev, the head of office at UNCDF Uganda, said.

The event will bring together national and international partners, including the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, GSMA, International Trade Center and Enabel among others. Next to these development partners, the event will be attended by Uganda’s innovators, investors, the private sector, and an audience of Ugandans who are eager to learn about innovations in the country.

Talking about the opportunities innovation spurs, Elioda Tumwesigye, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, mentioned: “Addressing youth unemployment through innovation is one of our core focus areas as the Government of Uganda. Startups have been at the forefront of job creation and we are delighted to be working closely with UNCDF and the private sector to support young innovators.”

About UNCDF

The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries.

With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: financial inclusion that expands the opportunities for individuals, households, and small businesses to participate in the local economy, providing them with the tools they need to climb out of poverty and manage their financial lives; and by showing how localized investments—through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance—can drive public and private funding that underpins local economic expansion and sustainable development.

By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to SDG 1 on eradicating poverty and SDG 17 on the means of implementation. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs.

About Startup Uganda

Startup Uganda is an association of key players in the Ugandan Startup ecosystem who, with the support of the UNCDF, aim to consolidate and connect the activities of all its stakeholders.

We catalyse developments in the sector through increased engagement, information exchange and more targeted communication. Our mission is to support the growth of the Ugandan startup ecosystem by maximising its exposure to international investment and partnerships and telling the story of Ugandan Entrepreneurship to a global audience.