The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has launched the Next Innovation with Japan (NINJA) Accelerator Uganda in conjunction with Uganda Startup Hubs to help high-growth entrepreneurs reach the next phase of company growth and seek investment worth US$0.5 million. The Innovation Village, Hive Collab, and Outbox will implement the initiative.
“By the end of August, we anticipate having 200 applications from eligible startups who will be subjected to a critical three levels assessment. The top five startups will qualify for the NINJA Accelerator Uganda program that will start on September 13. These will go through the training and mentorship provided by Hive Collab, The Innovation Village and Outbox,” said UCHIYAMA Takayuki, Chief Representative of JICA Uganda Office.
“These three hubs will develop the individual curriculum for startups based on their sector or business needs, growth level and business capacity. They will provide mentorship and coaching sessions, develop models and market traction strategies for their business to scale” said Takayuki. Adding, we shall provide upto US$18,000 proof of concept funding to these startups.
Here Is What You Need To Know
- The first of its kind Next Innovation with Japan (NINJA) Accelerator Uganda is meant to assist entrepreneurs in gaining market traction, developing a strong network, and forming partnerships with Japanese investment and consultancy organizations.
“For startups to participate in the program, it must be a registered company and operational for at least one year. It should be at a high growth-stage of development earning approximately $50,000 in revenue and ready for the next level growth. And it should be economically viable and be able to demonstrate a strong promise of building a sustainable and impactful business,” Takayuki said.
Uganda has a relatively immature ICT and startup environment, which gives a lot of chances for the recovery of not just the economy, but also for the people at the grassroots, according to Barbara Mutabazi, the Co-founder and Managing Director of Hive Collab.
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“Now that we all know the struggles these startups face, we must collaborate with one another and work together with the government, private sector, investors and customers for whom we are innovating. Let’s put in place incentives for startups to thrive, facilitate one another to refine their business model, tackle the actual market challenges,put in place the right teams of expertise to grow cash flow and raise capital like other African countries. With this, the sky will certainly not even be the limit towards the growth of our ecosystem,” Mutabazi said.
According to Japheth Kawanguzi, Team Lead at The Innovation Village, “With the many startup still struggling to recover from the impact of the two lockdowns. The ecosystem has been tasked deploy any means necessary to survive and move to recovery where time and resources have been lost. How well we adapt will determine how well we recover. We have an opportunity to reconfigure ourselves to an ongoing new reality to extend the reach of our products and services to the people who need them most.”
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How To Apply
Apply https://ninjajica.co.ug
Call open until: Sunday, 22nd August, 2021.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer