Call for entrepreneurs Uganda 2027

The eligibility requirements for the SusTech4Africa Grow Program focus on triple bottom line sustainability, which considers the impact on people, planet, and profit. This means that proposed solutions should benefit society, protect the environment, and be economically viable. 

Technology plays a crucial role as an enabler for sustainable development in Africa. It can help address various environmental and social challenges by providing innovative solutions. For instance, technology can improve access to clean water, healthcare, education, and renewable energy. It can also enhance agricultural practices, promote conservation efforts, and support efficient resource management. By leveraging technology effectively, Africa can achieve sustainable development goals while creating opportunities for economic growth and social progress. 

Financial Performance

• The company operates primarily in Africa and is majority-owned by Africans. 
• It has been officially registered as a legal entity with the Uganda Registration Bureau for at least three years. 
• The company must have generated revenue of at least EU 30,000 (UGX 135 million) in one of the last three fiscal years. 
• The amount of financing the company needs is between €20,000 and €250,000. 
• It has up-to-date accounts and audited financial accounts for the last three years. 
• It has a functioning accounting and administrative system. 
• It is able to continue operations for one month in the absence of the business owner. 
• Has a minimum of three employees, for whom the contributions required by laws are paid (NSSF, PAYE, etc.).

Social Responsibility

• The business contributes to social impact through the creation of local employment opportunities and the provision of essential goods and services to vulnerable or underserved populations. 
• It upholds equitable and respectful relationships with employees, customers, and suppliers. 

Environmental Sustainability

• The company's value chain embodies, or aims to embody, principles of the circular economy.
• It strives to minimize its environmental and human health impacts, surpassing the standards set by current product or service offerings.

Technological Innovation

• The company plans to use sustainable technologies in the production facilities. 
• These technologies represent a significant advancement towards sustainability compared to similar production units. 
• It has access to a stable internet connection for coaching sessions.

 The company participating in the ST4A programme must demonstrate its potential for economic profitability over the repayment period of the loan applied for. 

-        If selected, the company will need to pay UGX 1.120.00 participation fee. 

-        Two persons per company are required to participate in the Boost Camp. 

Programme :

Candidate selection

The programme begins with the selection of 10 to 15 entrepreneurs invited to take part in a 2 to 3-day Boost Camp. 
The selection is based on the above-mentioned selection criteria; an analysis of the required documents and a due diligence visit to the entrepreneurs.  

Boost Camp (2 - 3 days): 14 – 16 April 2027 in Uganda 

Training and strengthening of links between entrepreneurs and coaches. Introduction and practical exercises of OVO tools and processes. 
The entrepreneurs are supported by OVO coaches who have travelled from Europe for the occasion and local coaches, with whom they are paired for direct discussions and advice. 

Personalised on-site coaching (0,5 - 1 day) 

On-site work with the entrepreneur and their team: the OVO coach and the local coach visit the business to understand the operational context, see the product, meet the team and gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs and challenges, in order to better guide the next stages of the coaching. 

One-to-one coaching (6 months) 

Over a six-month period, entrepreneurs, with the help of their coaches, develop an optimised business model, an ambitious yet realistic business plan, and a detailed financial and investment implementation plan. Weekly online meetings are held between the entrepreneurs and the coaches. The local coach visits the business on a regular basis. 

Access to funding 
At the end of this guidance process, you will present your investment dossier to OVO’s assessment committee. 

If your dossier is approved, you will gain access to various financing options, which may be used separately or simultaneously as part of a co-financing arrangement: 

• The OVO Acceleration Fund, which can provide financing in the form of a loan at an annual interest rate of 10%, with a one-year grace period before repayment of the principal begins; 
• OVO’s network of partner investors, to whom your project may be presented in order to identify investors interested in its impact potential. 

These two mechanisms can be used simultaneously to create a more substantial financing plan that is better aligned with your company’s needs. 

If financing is successfully obtained, a success fee of 5% of the financed amount will be payable. This fee may be included in the amount of financing requested. 

No fee will be charged if no financing is obtained. You will therefore pay this fee only upon achieving a concrete result, namely securing financing through the OVO Acceleration Fund, partner investors, or a combination of both.

Timetable 

Application deadline: 25 October 2026 

Final selection: 15 December 2026 

Visit by the European Business Coaches and Boost Camp: the week of 12 April 2027 

Coaching and preparation for investments: April – October 2027 

To submit your project, submit using this link:

https://esono.tech/candidature/sustech4africa-uganda-program-application-mubi2k51

Applicants must also submit the following documents via the link:

- A brief description of the company, process, product/service, target customers, business strategy, etc.

- A few images of the company's achievements and/or installations

- Amount of financial investment required by OvO's intervention

- Preliminary business plan

- Recent presentation (pitch deck) in a Powerpoint or PDF file

- Deed of incorporation and company registration number

- Articles of association and by-laws of the company if provided for by the corporate form

- Financial statements for the last three years, accompanied by a statement from the chartered accountant at the time of presentation.

Any question? Don't hesitate to contact Karen Peersman, Karen@ovo.be

Please note that without the required documentation, the application will be rejected.