Unlocking the potential of Ugandan

Entrepreneurs through collaboration

We believe in improving the capabilities and relationships of various market actors to serve entrepreneurs better. These include entrepreneurship support organizations, business development service providers, and financial institutions

Seen our achievements yet?

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92,400 Women Employed

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Train 75,000 entrepreneurs

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Support 500 businesses

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Work with 20 ESOs

How we work

The NSSF Hi-innovator Program was established in August 2020 as a 5-year initiative to explore mechanisms that the Fund could implement that can help unlock dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for youth through entrepreneurship. Hi-Innovator’s primary focus is on businesses that are not considered attractive to traditional investors and would otherwise struggle to raise the financing and technical support they need to grow. As such, the Program aims to strengthen access to and sustainably grow the productive employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people in Uganda.

Business Academy

The online school for entrepreneurs to address Foundational challenges.

Capacity building of ESOs

Enabling Entrepreneurship Support Organisation to serve entrepreneurs better

Investments

Leveraging accelerator initiatives to deploy patient capital to businesses in partnership with Financial institutions

Our Accelerators

Turn your ideas into successful businesses with our Accelerator program. Get mentorship, resources, and support to accelerate your growth. Join our community of innovators and reach your goals.

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Hi-Innovator Women Accelerator (WAW IV)

  • Apply Now
  • Calling all Women Entrepreneurs to join the NSSF Hi-Innovator Women Accelerator Window IV for a chance to receive UGX. 75,000,000 to grow their businesses

    Application Deadline: 2024-12-08

    View accelerator →

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    The StepUp Cohort by MUBS EIIC

  • Closed
  • The StepUp Cohort by MUBS Entrepreneurship Innovation and Incubation Center (EIIC) will be a general cohort admitting both male-owned and women-owned/led businesses in Agriculture and Light Manufacturing sectors.

    Closed for Applications

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    IGNITE Cohort by Stanbic Business Incubator

  • Closed
  • The Ignite Cohort is a six-month intensive program designed specifically for growth-driven small and growing businesses (SGBs) in Agiculture and Light Manufacturing sectors with scalable, proof-of-concept solutions.   The IGNITE Cohort by Stanbic Business Incubator will be a general cohort admitting both men and women-owned/led businesses.

    Closed for Applications

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    Cohort 4 Accelerator

  • Closed
  • The NSSF Hi-Innovator is looking for small and growing businesses in light manufacturing, agriculture, digital economy and the creatives industry to join Cohort 4. Cohort 4 will be a general cohort admitting both men and women-owned businesses.

    Closed for Applications

    View accelerator →

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the focus of the NSSF Hi-Innovator?

    The NSSF Hi-Innovator seeks to give visibility to small and growing businesses so as to help them secure seed funding, receive technical assistance and build partnerships for their growth. Under the Hi-Innovator initiative, NSSF and its partners will link potentially profitable and sustainable businesses that can drive positive social change and returns to investments with funding of up to Uganda Shillings 75 Million. Through this initiative, the fund will also convene potential local and foreign stakeholders in Uganda that can invest in the potential of local entrepreneurs.

    I am interested in the NSSF Hi-Innovator and I meet all the requirements. Should I apply as an individual or do I have to apply through a group?

    The initiative will only accept teams of at least 2 founding individuals. A team of one founding individual will not be considered.

    Why do I need to first go through the NSSF Business Academy to join any of the accelerators?

    The NSSF Hi-Innovator initiative seeks to train 50,000 entrepreneurs to equip them with skills that will enable them to identify the gaps in their businesses. The Business Academy helps entrepreneurs to better prepare for our accelerator opportunities to leverage flexible self-directed actionable learning to upskill themselves and get their businesses ready

    How many businesses will the NSSF Hi-Innovator support during the initiative?

    The Hi-Innovator initiative seeks to fund up to 500 companies over a period of five years.

    Who will own the intellectual property of the NSSF Hi-Innovator solutions in the initiative?

    The participants in the initiative shall own the intellectual property of the solutions in the initiative.

    What businesses will be supported?

    The NSSF Hi-Innovator will support businesses addressing the Sustainable Development Goals, National Development Plan, and NSSF’s Strategic business objectives with a focus on education, agriculture, health, energy, tourism, fashion and beauty, and financial services.

    Our Community Network

    We support entrepreneurs in partnership with multiple entrepreneurship support organizations known as hubs to enable small and growing businesses to receive access to the resources they need. These include.

    From the blog

    Stay ahead of the curve with our Blog. Get valuable insights and practical advice on industry trends and topics. Join the conversation and stay informed.

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    What is a Problem Statement?

    Every game-changing idea begins with a clear understanding of the problem it solves. In the startup world, this foundation is your problem statement—a...

    image of Jane Doe

    Published
    2024-07-16

    Read Blog →

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    Stanbic Business Incubator hosts first Pre-selection Bootcamp as the NSSF Hi-Innovator Programme moves towards decentralizing its implementation model

    20 women-owned businesses today gathered at the Stanbic Business Incubator to get an understanding of areas of concern to address before the investmen...

    image of Jane Doe

    Published
    2024-05-20

    Read Blog →

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    The Importance of Exhibitions for Small and Growing Businesses

    A few weeks ago, majority of Uganda’s small and growing businesses in the sectors of Agriculture, Beauty, Digital Economy, creative economy, financial...

    image of Jane Doe

    Published
    2024-04-08

    Read Blog →

    Our success stories

    Celebrate achievements with us. Our Success Stories showcase how we've helped clients achieve remarkable results. See how we can help you too.

    Rada Shoes

    Kampala, Uganda

    Rada Shoes: Instilling Confidence in School-Going Children One Pair of Shoes at a Time.

    Read their Story →

    Mtindo Design Studio

    Gulu City

    Mtindo Design Studio: Equipping Youth and Women with Design and Tailoring Skills.

    Read their Story →

    Krystal Ice

    Luzira, Kampala

    Creating a Thriving Business with Fruity Ice Pops

    Read their Story →

    Hi-Innovator’s

    amazing partners

    Our Investors section showcases successful collaborations with valued financiers and investors who share our passion for excellence and have contributed to our growth and innovation. By democratizing startup investments, we are ensuring that investors have access to fresh, high-potential ventures, transforming the landscape of early-stage investment. Join us to expand and build a brighter future together.

    An initiative of

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    Implemented by

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    In partnership with

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