Entrepreneurs urged to embrace innovation during the pandemic

BUSSINES | INNOVATION 

The forth edition of the Kampala Innovation Week kicked off on Thursday (November 26, 2020), with a high presence startups and entrepreneurs ready to share and learn about, among many other aspects of business, innovation. 

The event organized by Startup Uganda, United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and Talent Africa group, was partly held physically at Motiv Warehouse in Industrial area, Kampala.

However, majority of the participants, exhibitors, entrepreneurs were digitally part of the event, so as to respect the social distancing guidelines of Covid-19. 

The event kicked off with exhibitors showcasing various products, services, attracting a host of potential customers, but most importantly getting a platform to grow their startups. 

As exhibition went on, a panel of experts in finance and entrepreneurship sat to discuss how startups can survive and especially in such times of Covid-19 disruption.

The panel comprised of Dr Julian Omalla, an entrepreneur, Chris Lukolyo from UNCDF, Vanessa Atim, founder Pro-interns, and Dr Gudula Naiga Basaza of Guddie Leisure Farm. 

Moderated by Barbara Birungi Mutabazi, the panel kicked off by discussing how innovation will help entrepreneurs recover from the effects Covid-19. 

According to Dr Omalla, when Covid-19 hit, she had to lay off all her workers and closed her company Delight Uganda.

She, however, had to innovate ways of thriving and as such, she concentrated on fruits farming and processing through The Nwoya Fruit Farmers' Association. 

"Today, we have been able to work with over 5000 fruit growers and this has greatly helped us recover from the impact of Covid-19. I, therefore, want to challenge entrepreneurs to think out of the box and widen their innovation," Omalla said. 

About ensuring that businesses keep afloat during this period, Dr Naiga urged entrepreneurs to ensure that they chose the right suppliers of raw materials used in business, production.

She says that this will help them, especially those who are just starting out, to maintain quality of their products.

"In the same spirit, entrepreneurs need to understand and secure the people they supply to so they maintain that relationship. These are the people who will keep you in business during this pandemic," Naiga says.

During this pandemic, still, the use of digital platforms has proved to be more helpful than ever before.

Lukolyo, therefore, urged young entrepreneurs to embrace technology for growth of customer base and business network because, unlike in the past where we used to think that social media is just a fancy thing, it is now an important tool for teaching clients and businesses. 

The event continue with exhibitions, and continues Today (Saturday) with the grand finale where some of the best exhibitors will be awarded.

The panel of creatives will also seat to discuss the how creatives, entertainment practitioners can embrace technology during this pandemic.