The Italian Embassy in Kampala has supported the “Start-up Africa Road Trip” training project, aimed at 20 local start-ups, mainly in Uganda, but also open to participants from other East African Countries. This initiative, which ran from 1 to 5 November in the Ugandan capital, received a financial and logistics contribution not only from the Embassy, but also Italian and local partners. This project was launched in 2017 by the “BeEntrepreneurs” non-profit association, set up by Italy and made up entirely of young people between the ages of 25 and 35.
During the entire event, the 20 start-ups taking part (selected from more than 300 applications), were able to receive intensive lessons on various aspects of digital entrepreneurship: from drawing up a business plan, through to simulating a pitch to a group of investors.
A meeting was held at the end of the event at the Residence of the Italian Ambassador, Massimiliano Mazzanti, during which the entrepreneurs were able to present their ideas to a jury made up – based on gender equality – of entrepreneurs, investors, and leading figures in civil society. The undertakings presented aimed to tackle the most felt problems in the Country, from alternative uses of urban waste to sustainable mobility, and integration of the more vulnerable segments of the production fabric through to extending access to basic medical care.
Following selection, 4 winning start-ups were announced and, in 2022, they will have the opportunity of taking part in the Milano Digital Week, where they will meet the main sponsors of the initiative (including Joule – ENI, Cisco, Primo Ventures, the DHH cloud provider, and the lastminute foundation).
By collaborating with profit and non-profit entities, and public / private partnership, the “Start-up Africa Road Trip” proved to be a project that effectively promotes Italy, combining innovation and training. This process was greatly appreciated by start-ups, entrepreneurs, and investors, and the Italian Embassy in Kampala intends to continue to support it with conviction, in the coming years.
