In an event showcasing innovation and entrepreneurship, StartHub Africa hosted the demo day for the She Techs The Future project at their offices in Bukoto, marking a significant milestone for women in technology in Uganda.
The She Techs The Future initiative’s primary goal is to empower and support female-led digital ventures in East Africa, from the inception of ideas to securing investments.
The event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and representatives from prominent development organizations to witness the remarkable achievements of women in the Ugandan tech industry.
James Macbeth Forbes, the country director of GIZ Uganda, emphasized GIZ Uganda’s commitment to supporting the digital innovations of Uganda’s youth.
Tech founders who presented their pitches during the demo day included Pearl Gakazi from Kolaborate, Patricia Giramia of Cyanase Investors, Shadia Nassanga leading Emun App, Nambogo Nurait from MobiCare, Tugume Brenda representing Esoptron Salon, and Doreen Ninsiima from Instant Biomed.
This gathering showcased the growing potential of female entrepreneurs in East Africa’s tech landscape.
One of the highlights of the event was a panel discussion featuring successful tech entrepreneurs who have made significant strides in their respective fields.
Sandra Awili, founder of ShareCard, Pearl Gakazi, co-founder of Kolaborate, Patricia Giramia, the CTO of Cyanase Investors, and Vaola Amumpaire, founder of Wena Hardware, led a discussion on the role of mentorship and strategic networking for the benefit of female entrepreneurs.
During the panel discussion, Vaola emphasized the importance of women confidently expressing themselves and fostering clear communication to facilitate meaningful collaboration without the risk of misinterpretation by others, especially men.
The demo day was attended by esteemed guests, including James Macbeth Forbes, the country director of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Laura Kübke from Business Scouts for Development, Koichiro Yamamoto from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and others.
The She Techs The Future project began in April 2023 with ideathons held at four universities in Uganda and Tanzania, serving as incubators for creative ideas and setting the stage for female innovators to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.
Following the ideathons, a week-long boot camp brought together over 15 female innovators from across Uganda. During this intensive program, participants received comprehensive training, workshops, and mentorship, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the tech industry.
The project’s success was made possible through the collaborative efforts of StartHub Africa and Business Scouts for Development (BSfD) by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The support and involvement of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and Sequa, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), further underscore the project’s significance and impact.
