Next Innovation with Japan (NINJA) Response to COVID-19 Effects in Uganda
As part of the NINJA initiative launched in 2021 in Uganda, JICA provided support to startups through the NINJA Accelerator Program and Business Plan Competition. Findings highlighted challenges like low innovation levels and inadequate resources hindering sustainable business growth. The program had a positive impact, with investment opportunities identified and lessons learned regarding the need for tailored advisory services and improved access to capital. Future strategies aim to address gaps in supporting growth stage startups with a focus on capacity building and enhancing government involvement.
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Next Innovation with Japan (NINJA) Response to effects of COVID19 Africa wide initiative Launched in 2021 in Uganda
JICA Uganda Support to Startups NINJA Accelerator Uganda Program (Growth stage startups) NINJA Business Plan Competition (COVID-19 response) Survey on Startup Ecosystem Strengthening in Uganda 104 total applicants 426 total applicants Findings: Failure to grow into sustainable/impactful businesses due to: Low innovation levels Insufficient financial resources/investment opportunities Inadequate mentorship inadequate legal/regulatory/policy framework 5 winners 3 winners $18k POC funding, mentorship & business matching for min $0.5m investment $30k and POC acceleration support Consulting Task Force Consulting accelerator
Impact and Lessons NINJA Accelerator Uganda Program Growth stage startups NINJA Business Plan Competition (COVID-19 response) Impact: Investment Opportunities $300k closed from Nordic Fund. Prospects for others Japan market access thru FGSC Impact: Investment Opportunity from UDB $55,000 convertible note (follow-on up to $1m) Japan market access thru FGSC Lessons: Need for tailored and/or advanced business development advisory Low capacity of accelerator hubs to offer support to Growth stage startups inadequate legal/regulatory framework Limited capital opportunities appropriate for growth stage startups Lessons: Seed startups have plenty of grant opportunities Inadequate capital downstream (Angel, VC) killing the urge to grow 3
The Future Target: More focus on growth stage startups where needs are more but there is limited participation by partners. Issues to address: Capacity of accelerator hubs to offer appropriate support to growth state startups Access to the capital appropriate for growth stage startups Access to technical support appropriate for growth stage startups Government involvement (legal/regulatory/policy framework) Approaches: NINJA contests-NINJA-3? (POC funding, linkages to appropriate capital, advisory) Advisor project type to the relevant Government Ministry (legal/regulatory/policy support, next phases of NINJA contests, capacity building to accelerator hubs) Continuous linkages to relevant partners and integration in on-going projects 4
