The 97Fund, a Ugandan-based Open-end Investment Vehicle which invests in high growth early stage startups in Africa, has announced a $1 Million COVID-19 Relief Fund to invest in Ugandan solutions which are addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as solutions that prepare Uganda for a post COVID-19 future.
“The disruptive impact of COVID-19 on Uganda’s social and economic landscape is beginning to be felt by different businesses. Following the Presidential directives on measures to curb the spread of the virus, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development detailed the economic impact of COVID — 19; with economic growth projected to decline from 6% to 5.2%, with an estimate of 2.5 million Ugandans likely to fall back into poverty. There is therefore a need to ensure economic and business continuity happens in a way that prepares for long lasting growth and sustainability to also mitigate future crises,’’ Kenneth Legesi, the Managing Partner at Ortus Africa Capital which manages The 97Fund said.
Here Is What You Need To Know
- The USD$1 Million COVID-19 Relief Fund came from The Innovation Village as part of the Young Africa Works Program supported by Mastercard Foundation.
- The Innovation Village is Uganda’s launch pad for leading Innovators and Entrepreneurs and seeks to solve the problems facing innovators and entrepreneurs such as: market & access to capital, appropriate mentorship and advisory, innovative problem solving not being applied by corporates, governments and development partners and market and connectivity.
- The Fund will support promising entrepreneurs to scale and develop solutions that will help Uganda emerge from the coronavirus crisis and create competitive advantage for the post-crisis period.
“Before this pandemic, many people were skeptical about innovation and why it is important to adopt it as a way of life. However, COVID19 has enabled change at a rapid pace, requiring a huge deal of innovative thinking. The 97 COVID19 Relief Fund comes to support entrepreneurs that have taken this window of uncertainty as an opportunity to invest in sustainable solutions that normalize this new way of life,” said CK Japheth, CEO and Team Lead The Innovation Village.
What Startup Companies The Fund Is Looking For
- The COVID19 Relief Fund targets companies that are responding to the pandemic while creating jobs. These include; providing healthcare services; re-imagining business models in sectors like tourism and services, education, finance, new ways of working (collaborative working, work from home, gig work); supply chains and logistics; digital economy especially market places.
- Received applications are taken through a screening process to identify workable and scalable solutions to current and future problems as a result of COVID19, screened solutions are invited to present at a demo day before being put to an Investment Committee.
- The selected solutions are awarded a combination of funding and technical assistance.
- Specifically, the COVID19 Relief Fund offers USD$2,000 — USD$10,000 as an equity-free grant, with an opportunity for follow on funding from The 97Fund and or co-investment partners, as well as access to workspace and mentorship.
How Startups May Apply
- The Fund has, so far, has received applications from over 130 entrepreneurs which have been evaluated, three (3) demo days have been completed from which 22 solutions have been identified to put to the Investment Committee.
- Ugandan startups interested in accessing the fund should click here.
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