POWER demo-day for 12 young women entrepreneurs
On Wednesday 15th February, 2023, we marked the kickoff of the POWER demo day event, which saw five startups out of the 12 women entrepreneurs pitch and showcase to the broad audience of influencers to attract public interest, prospective investors and partners.
Guests during the POWER demo day event.
The demo day held at Bonita Centre, Action 4 Health in Lubowa marked the completion of the 9 months POWER Project Accelerator Program for the 12 young women entrepreneurs dealing in businesses related to SRHR/FP.
The opening remarks were given by Mr. Shane O’Halloran, Digital Transformation & Business Development at Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung (DSW)who emphasized that they continue to support and invest in women-led entrepreneurship in Uganda. Not only providing financial and technical assistance, but also working to address the systemic barriers that women face in accessing markets and networks.
Mr. Shane O’Halloran, Digital Transformation & Business Development at Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung (DSW) giving the opening remarks.
A project documentary was also run at the event displaying the profiles of the women entrepreneurs and their success stories and journey during the accelerator program.
During the demo day event, the women entrepreneurs were awarded certificates of completion of the project and monetary prizes to enable them accelerate their businesses. The best and Overall winner of the POWER Accelerator program 2023 was Ms. Sumayyah Nakimuli Sengendo, CEO & founder Totler. Ms. Angel Babirye, Co-founder Us for Girls and Ms. Fatumah Imanet, founder Lady Mariam Eduactional Centre were also announced as 1st and 2nd runner up respectively.
Ms. Sumayyah Sengendo, CEO Totler receives an award for being the overall winner of the POWER Project Accelerator Program 2022.
Mr.Shane O’Halloran also launched the POWER Project Alumni Network which will continue to support and monitor the progress of these enterprises.
The event concluded with closing remarks which were given by Dr. Dinah Nakiganda, Assistant Commissioner of Adolescent & Infant Health, Ministry of Health who advised the young women to keep a keen eye on the changes in Ministry Of Health working guidelines to ensure smooth running of their businesses.
A special thanks to the invited distinguished guests Mr. Michael Wamibu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade Industry & Co-operatives, Dr. Dinah Nakiganda, Assistant Commissioner of Adolescent & Infant Health, Ministry of Health, Ms. Akumu Christine representing the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development, Mr. Aggrey Kibenge, Mr. Okettayot Vincent Okema, MBA, MSMES Business Development (MOTIC), Dr Joyce Tamale (FCCA), CEO of Capital Solutions Capital Solutions Ltd, Ms. Sarah Kintu, CEO at Action 4 Health Uganda and among others, our funders, implementing partners, mentors for honoring our invitations to be part of this event and supporting the young women entrepreneurs to scale up their startups in SRHR/FP.
The young women entrepreneurs during the cake cutting moment.
POWER( The ‘Providing Opportunities for Women in Entrepreneurship and Reproductive Health) project is a pilot project developed by Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung (DSW) and has been implemented by Capital Solutions Limited as a partner and experts in Social Entrepreneurship along side Action for Health Uganda (A4HU) to nurture SRHR/FP start-up ideas to fruition and educational sessions in business management, mobilization of capital, leadership and use of modern ICT in business for 12 young women entrepreneurs.
The young women had practical hands on training , coaching and mentor-ship from experienced trainers and partners in Uganda, as well as international networks to support their business ideation.