Kampala Innovation Week targets 1000 stakeholders

ENTREPRENUERSHIP

The third edition of the Kampala Innovation week (KIW) is targeting to bring together over 1000 stakeholders in the startup sector and ecosystem from within and outside the country when it does take place between the 16th and 18th of October at Kololo Airstrip. 

Jean Kukunda the Vice Chairperson of startup Uganda the association putting together this event says "this will be a great opportunity for entrepreneurs both established and those starting out to meet up with various stakeholders and form synergies to help grow their enterprises and the ecosystem as a whole."  

As founder and CEO of Design Hub, she expects this Innovation week to be of immense benefit to all the creatives and innovators operating out of Design Hub Kampala.

This Year's edition is supported by the United Nations Capital Development Fund and has onboard some of the leading startup hubs in the country including Outbox, Design Hub Kampala, Tribe Kampala, and the Innovation Village plus others and together creates the synergy the local startup fraternity has been lacking.

Japheth Kawanguzi the Founder of the Innovation Village says for the first time since this event started 2 years back, they are bringing together all players in the innovation and start-up space that is public sector, private sector, investors and the donor community as well.

He says "among all these stakeholders, they are looking at having a productive dialogue, connecting and making it able for all stakeholders in the innovation and start up space to work together for better results."  

Under the theme ‘Showcase, Discover and Engage, the organisers plan to use this event to raise Uganda's profile as a thriving place for startups, attract global investors, create room for partnerships and also showcase Uganda's entrepreneurs to the world.

Evelyn Namara the founder of Vouch Digital a platform that helps simplify the distribution and supply chain management of goods and services across the world says she expects something different this time around with a focus shifted from statistics on startups, how much funds have been raised to the entrepreneurs themselves. 

Dr Gudula Naiga Basaza Director Guide leisure farm and Chairperson Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited addressing participants during a previous Innovation week

"I expect a shift to a scenario where the focus now turns to the entrepreneur, what makes them tick, their story and what day to day challenges they experience as entrepreneurs," she said.

Allan Rwakatungu the founder of Xente will be one of the participants' at this year's event and says he is looking forward to learning a lot from peers in the startup world, meeting with and engaging industry experts, partners and other participants in the event. 

Some of the other startups that will participate include ‘Too Good' an online discount shopping site founded by Alex Senoga, Izere Education a startup that focuses on the personal development of children as individuals, and Kola studios an application development consultancy to mention but a few. 

Background

The Innovation week started back in 2017 with the first one attracting over 150 participants growing to 350 last year with the target this year being 1000 participants. Previous Speakers have included Anthony Natif Entrepreneur and founder of First Pharmacy Chain and Julian Adyeri Omalla founder Delight Uganda Limited.0000000000000

Over 20 speakers in the fields of technology, finance, health, agriculture, insurance and other sectors are expected.