Here is everything you need to know about NSSF’s Hi-Innovator Programme

1. What is the NSSF Hi-Innovator Programme?

The NSSF Hi-Innovator Programme is an Innovations initiative aimed at creating an ecosystem through which small and growing businesses in Uganda can be harnessed and supported to mature into viable businesses.

This ecosystem brings together entrepreneurs, business incubation services, advisory and business development services, and funding partners. It consists of 2 phases:

Phase 1– Pre-Accelerator

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Self-directed online learning via a platform providing foundational business knowledge to entrepreneurs to enable them to address gaps in their businesses. It is geared towards providing foundational business knowledge to entrepreneurs to enable them to address gaps in their businesses.

It also enables entrepreneurs to prepare for the next phase of support known as the accelerator and is thus a prerequisite for participation in the Accelerator Phase (Phase 2).

It is open to individuals interested in starting a business or those who have a small and growing business.

Phase 2 – Accelerator

This is a six-month business support process where entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to receive grant funding, technical assistance, business development and market development support to enable them to scale their businesses.

To qualify, small and growing business owners should have participated in Phase 1 (Pre-Accelerator). Their businesses should also pass certain criteria that includes Ability to Scale, Sustainability, Ability to create employment opportunities 

Related: NSSF and Mastercard Foundation announce Hi-Innovator: A UGX 35B programme to support entrepreneurs

2. Why did NSSF start the programme?

• Youth & Women employment opportunities – the programme targets to create at least 130,000 jobs for youth and women over 5 years
• Create an innovations ecosystem – that consists of entrepreneurs, business incubation, advisory and business development services, and funding partners to assist small and growing businesses grow, attract funding and scale
• Jumpstart funding for start-ups – the programme brings discipline, structure, and opportunities to jump-start funding to the entrepreneurship space of Uganda.
• Provide a business support system – to support Ugandan start-ups and innovators succeed by mobilizing affordable financing partners and providing a robust support system.
• Entrepreneurship training – through access to foundational business knowledge to enable them to address gaps in their operations at no cost

3. Who is eligible to participate?

 Phase 1 Eligibility

• Individuals interested in starting a business or those who have a small and growing business.
• Must be over 18 years of age at the time of the application and fluent in English.
• Individuals who can commit full-time to your business and should be a primary decision maker and have the authority to determine the growth and strategic direction of your business.
• Must be a Ugandan national OR a non-national living and working in Uganda with up-to-date work permits.
• Non-Ugandans should be running a business that includes a Ugandan in an ownership and decision-making role.

Phase 2 Eligibility

• Small and growing business owners
• Should have participated in Phase 1 of the Hi-Innovator Programme (Pre-Accelerator)
• Small and growing businesses should pass the test of sustainability, ability to create employment opportunities, and scalability

4. Who are the funding partners?

The NSSF Hi-Innovator is jointly and equally funded to the tune of UGX 35 billion over 5 years by;

• NSSF Uganda
• Mastercard Foundation – through Young Africa Works initiative

5. Other partners involved in the program?

Throughout the programme, entrepreneurs will be supported by business incubation hubs across the country. These include;

Lead Implementation Partner

• Outbox Uganda

Content and Curriculum Development Partners

• Teesa Business Advisory
• Makerere University Business School

Implementation Support Partner Hubs

• Makerere University Innovation and Incubation Center
• MUBS Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Incubation Centre
• Stanbic Business Incubator
• Startup Uganda
• Inpact
• Amara Hub
• Shona
• Uganda Christian University

6. What is the role of Implementation Partners?

• To provide pipeline, infrastructure & business development support services to entrepreneurs participating in the program.
• Pipeline involves outreach & awareness creation about the programme, providing Hi-Innovator authorised training (pre-accelerator) to its entrepreneurs and recommending qualifying businesses to the Hi-Innovator Accelerator.
• Infrastructure entails office space, internet, shared tools for entrepreneurs and Integration of Hi-Innovator offerings.
• Business Development Services include delivery of Hi-Innovator authorised training to entrepreneurs, acceleration support as a replication partner to SMEs/Startups they are matched with and consulting & shared services

7. How many entrepreneurs/ innovators will benefit at each phase?

• Phase 1 – Pre-Accelerator: 75,000 entrepreneurs
• Phase 2 – Accelerator: 500 businesses

8. Programme duration

The programme will be implemented for a period of 5 years

9. How can one join the program?

Applications are online via the programme website www.nssfug.org/hi-innovator 

10. Programme Contacts

• Website – www.nssfug.org/hi-innovator
• Contact Centre – Outbox, Hi-Innovator Implementation Partner at 4th Floor, Soliz House, Lumumba Avenue, Kampala, Uganda, Tel +256392000152, 0757 000152