Unlocking the potential of Ugandan
Entrepreneurs through collaboration
The Hi-Innovator initiative is supporting small and growing businesses by extending catalytic seed funding, building the capacity of entrepreneurship support organizations to provide quality technical assistance, and working with financing institutions to unlock affordable patient capital so that they can become more competitive.
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?
Create 92,400 jobs for women
Train 75,000 entrepreneurs
Support 500 businesses
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: FMCG Access to markets accelerator
Application Deadline: 2026-05-17
View accelerator →
Cohort 3 Accelerator
Closed for Applications
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Hi-Innovator Women Accelerator (WAW IV)
Closed for Applications
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The StepUp Cohort by MUBS EIIC
Closed for Applications
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Frequently asked questions
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.
The initiative will only accept teams of at least 2 founding individuals. A team of one founding individual will not be considered.
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
The Hi-Innovator initiative seeks to fund up to 500 companies over a period of five years.
The participants in the initiative shall own the intellectual property of the solutions in the initiative.
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.
From 200 to 2,500 farmers: How Ubora built a growing specialty coffee enterprise
Ubora Specialty Crops Limited is an agribusiness company in Mbale that has grown into a recognized specialty coffee enterprise supporting more than 2,...
Published
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Product development, compliance and growth: Equator Commercial scaling by improving health
When Florence Kakande started growing pumpkins, her focus was to work with smallholder farmers, especially women, youth and refugees and find a reliab...
Published
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Smart Foods’ mission to nourish Ugandan households with soy-based products
In Uganda, millions of children under the age of five face malnutrition, while non-communicable diseases continue to claim thousands of lives each yea...
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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
Implemented by
In partnership with
