Ugandan hub for tech entrepreneurs, Hive Colab, has celebrated the graduation of 40 startups from the Youth Startup Academy Uganda (YSAU), amidst the activities of the SWARM Summit held in Uganda on 25th and 26th April, 2024.
Themed “The Future is Now: Emerging Trends Shaping Startup Ecosystems,” the SWARM Summit spotlighted Uganda’s young and innovative minds, aiming to foster innovation, collaboration, and growth within the country’s startup community. The event featured keynote addresses from industry leaders, providing insights into the current state and future direction of Uganda’s startup ecosystem, along with engaging panel discussions.
One of the highlights of the summit was the graduation ceremony for the third cohort of the YSA Uganda program. These startups represent diverse industries and hold the potential to revolutionise Uganda’s entrepreneurial landscape. Through intensive bootcamps, participants gained essential skills and resources necessary to launch and grow successful ventures while also exploring potential investment opportunities.
Phyllis Kyomuhendo, the founder of ultrasound technology startup, M-SCAN, emphasised the support provided by the YSA program, stating, “YSA proved to be different from other projects as I was directly linked to business partners.”
The Korean Embassy to Uganda also underlined the importance of youth-driven innovation, encouraging YSA alumni entrepreneurs to pursue their goals. The program is funded by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), a United Nations agency, in collaboration with Hive Colab and the National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U) of Uganda.
YSAU plays a key role in empowering aspiring young entrepreneurs by cultivating a thriving startup ecosystem in Uganda. With the current graduating cohort representing over 700 young entrepreneurs, the program has empowered a significant number of individuals to drive innovation and job creation across the country.
Source: International Trade Centre
By Derrick Kafui Deti – Digital Economy Magazine
