INTRODUCTION

The Startup Garage project was implemented by Empower Youth in Technology (EYIT) in partnership with the YALI Alumni Chapter of Uganda Western Cluster among four Universities in western Uganda. This projected targeted university students in their final year of study in order to transform into technology and innovative entrepreneurs for increased employment opportunities for themselves and others after graduation.

This project was implemented using three approaches as follows;

Establishment of innovation clubs: The students with innovative ideas or early-stage startups were enrolled in the clubs and nurtured to become innovative entrepreneurs.
6-month ideas incubation: The students were provided with the EYIT workspace, technical and business skills training, and linkage to mentors needed for idea development, prototyping, business formation, and commercialization. After 6 months of incubation, the students were expected to have commercial innovative products.
The innovations pitch competitions and networking: After 6 months of incubation, the students with ready products were given an opportunity to pitch their innovations to a panel of judges and network with potential investors, partners, seasoned entrepreneurs, and customers, and the best innovations awarded cash prizes.

General objective: To transform University students in the final year of study into technology and innovative entrepreneurs for increased employment opportunities for themselves and others after graduation.

Specific objectives

To stimulate the spirit of innovation among university students through the establishment of innovation clubs in universities.
To facilitate the development of sustainable innovative startups by university students through an idea’s incubation model.
To facilitate stronger linkages between university students, funders, partners, and customers through organizing innovation pitch competitions and networking events