Are you an established entrepreneur committed to improving rural livelihoods in Uganda? Do you want to test your innovative idea in a Business Sprint and compete for funding through the TeamUp Innovation Fund? Does your solution address key challenges in climate and environment, health and well-being, or socio-economic development? If this describes you, take advantage of this opportunity and apply by January 14, 2025.

About the Program

Entrepreneurship is crucial to Uganda’s economy, with 35.5% of the labor force involved in entrepreneurial activities. Uganda is often ranked as one of the world’s most entrepreneurial nations, driven by limited formal employment options. Social entrepreneurship, especially in rural areas, addresses issues like unemployment, education, healthcare, and environmental challenges by offering innovative, community-focused solutions.

This approach is transforming rural Uganda and supporting the country’s sustainable development goals, particularly among youth, as over 75% of the population is under 30. To support this progress, Siemens Stiftung is launching a call for applications for social entrepreneurs under the theme “Fostering Rural and Green Economy.” The program includes a 10-week Business Sprint and the chance to pitch for up to €50,000 in funding.

TeamUp Program

This call is part of the TeamUp Innovation Fund, designed to expand the impact of the TeamUp program, which offers a new cross-sectoral approach to development cooperation.

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About the Business Sprint

Siemens Stiftung invites innovative entrepreneurs to join the Business Sprint Program, a 10-week hybrid journey from February to April 2025. The Business Sprint is aimed at validating selected project proposals and accelerating the development of impactful, locally relevant solutions for rural communities in Uganda, with a focus on youth, women, and people with disabilities. Project proposals should address local needs and prioritize accessibility, affordability, and acceptability for rural communities, with a focus on the following areas:

• Climate and Environmental Solutions: Develop solutions that reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability, benefiting both the local ecosystem and rural communities.
• Health and Well-being Enhancements: Improve health and well-being for rural communities, with particular emphasis on women and youth.
• Socio-economic Opportunities: Create economic benefits for the community, such as job creation, skills development, and new market opportunities, especially for women and youth.

The Business Sprint provides a dynamic framework for transforming project ideas into scalable, impactful solutions. Participants will receive hands-on experience, practical tools, and expert guidance through a combination of in-person and online sessions.

Business Sprint Structure

• Kick-off Bootcamp: A two-day, in-person event in Kampala for team onboarding, networking, and mentor introductions, setting the stage for a successful sprint.
• Weekly Expert-Led Digital Workshops: Weekly deep-dive sessions (2–3 hours) on topics like Market Analysis, Customer Segmentation, Product Development, Production Optimization, Financial Planning, and Accounting.
• Tailored Mentoring: Ongoing mentoring from experienced experts who provide support throughout the program. Mentors help enterprises set weekly milestones and tasks, requiring 8–10 hours of work per week.
• Final Event: A two-day event in Kampala to present refined proposals, pitch for funding, and engage in peer-to-peer learning.

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is January 14, 2025