AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda
SWITCH IT UP: Take your agritech innovation to the next level. The AYuTe Africa Challenge awards cash grants to support promising young agritech innovators across Africa who are using technology to reimagine farming and food production across the continent. Compete for a share of UGX 112,000,000 in Agritech Grants
About the Challenge
AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda – 2024
The AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda is back and bigger than ever! This year, we’re taking innovation to new heights. Introducing the AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda Season 3, a platform for young Agri-tech minds to showcase their innovative, groundbreaking solutions aimed at transforming agriculture and uplifting smallholder farmers across Africa.
We aim to identify and support tech-driven agricultural ideas that can tackle the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, such as food security, production efficiency, income stability, resilience, and access to finance.
This season, the AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda Season 3 is offering even more opportunities for young Agri-tech innovators. Participants will compete for a share of a grand prize of over UGX 112 million shillings, a significant increase from previous editions.
This year, all the selected Top 15 finalists will be rewarded with the breakdown below:
Grand Prize: UGX 50,000,000
First Runner-Up: UGX 25,000,000
Second Runner-Up: UGX 10,000,000
Special Category for Women in Agribusiness: UGX 3,500,000
Special Category for Women in Tech: UGX 3,500,000
Top 10 AYuTe Africa Challenge Incubation Finalist Participants: UGX 2,000,000 each
The grand awards gala ceremony will be held on September 26, 2024.
In addition to the cash prize, they will have access to networking opportunities and mentorship from industry experts, providing invaluable support and guidance to help bring their innovative ideas to life and drive meaningful change in the agricultural sector.
Join us in this exciting journey to revolutionize agriculture and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across the continent.
Throughout the rigorous competition and relentless pursuit of excellence in the 2023 season, Samuel Peter Okoci emerged as one of the top five finalists. His impressive Agri-tech innovation, Smart Poultry Farming, captivated our judges, earning him UGX 35,000,000 to elevate his startup to the next level.
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How to participate in AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda
Stay tuned by following us on social media @heiferinternationaluganda
To apply for the AYuTe Africa Challenge in Uganda, simply follow the application instructions provided below:
Record a video:
Create a two-minute video introducing yourself and explaining your innovation. Show what problem it solves, its potential impact on smallholder farmers, and how much funding you need to bring it to life.
Make sure your video is clear, audible, and in MP4 format.
Submit Your Video:
Upload your video using the provided link or send it via WhatsApp to +256 781 608 488.
Compete for Amazing Prizes:
Go head-to-head for a share of UGX 112,000,000 and other fantastic prizes and support opportunities! This Year all the selected Top 15 finalists will be rewarded with the breakdown below:
Grand Prize: UGX 50,000,000
First Runner-Up: UGX 25,000,000
Second Runner-Up: UGX 10,000,000
Special Category for Women in Agribusiness: UGX 3,500,000
Special Category for Women in Tech: UGX 3,500,000
Top 10 AYuTe Africa Challenge Incubation Finalist Participants: UGX 2,000,000 each
Quote:
"With our digital farming system, a farmer is able to not only have records but is guided through alerts and warnings. we already have farmers contacting us."
- Brian Byaruhanga Digitalized Herd Monitoring System
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The eligibility criteria for the AYuTe Africa Challenge in Uganda require participants to take note of the following:
Must be a Ugandan, based in Uganda, between 18- 35 years.
Must clearly show ownership of the innovation/idea either as an individual or as a team of two.
Must demonstrate that you are providing a truly innovative product or service, not merely duplicating something that exists in many other markets.
Must have the potential to translate and scale up the innovation into meaningful impact for smallholder farmers across the country.
Show that there is demand among smallholder farmers for what you are providing and that it's affordable.
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Key Dates
Launch: Thursday, 11th July
Close Submissions: - Thursday, 8th August
Elimination Round 1 (Announce top 25): Friday, 9th August
Due Diligence: Friday, 9th August – Monday, 12th August
Incubation: Monday, 12th August – Monday, 19th August
Elimination round 2 (announce Top 10): Monday, 19th August
Awards: Thursday, 22nd August
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1 - Publicity
The Eligible Participant agrees to participate in publicity related to the Competition, including the use of their photograph, video, name, nationality, and country of residence for promotional purposes.
2 - Filmed Sessions
The Eligible Participant must participate in filmed sessions scheduled between July 11th and August 19th, 2024. Failure to participate may result in disqualification from the Competition.
3 - Intellectual Property
Participants retain all intellectual property rights to their innovations. The Promoter may require participants to sign consent forms allowing the use of their intellectual property for promotional purposes related to the Competition.
4 - Representation of Prizes
Any depictions of prizes in media are illustrative. The actual prizes may differ from the representations. The Competition does not endorse or recommend any products or services offered as prizes.
5 - Disclaimer of Warranty
The Promoter disclaims any warranties or representations related to the prizes. The Promoter is not liable for any defects, losses, or injuries resulting from the use or malfunction of the prizes.
6 - Acceptance of Terms
By entering the Competition, all Eligible Participants accept and agree to abide by these terms and conditions. The Promoter reserves the right to interpret these terms and conditions at their sole discretion. Decisions made by the Promoter are final and binding, and no correspondence will be entered into.
7 - Changes and Cancellations
The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions, cancel, alter, or amend the Competition at any stage if deemed necessary or if circumstances arise beyond its control.
8 - Governing Law
These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of Uganda.
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Monday Shaduraka, Innovation – Electric Tractor Innovation – UGX 50,000,000 ($13,427)
1st Runner-up: John Charles Nuwagaba, Innovation – Solar Water Pump – UGX 30,000,000 ($8,000)
2nd Runner-up: Mike Ssalissegawa, Innovation – Grafting Tomato Technology – UGX15,000,000 ($4,000)
Other winners: Brian Byaruhanga, Innovation – Digitized Herd Monitoring System, and Brian Natwijuka, Innovation – Silage production & E-Commerce for Beef, each received UGX2,500,000 ($537)
“I am very excited and honored to be awarded as the winner of the AYuTe Africa Challenge in Uganda by Heifer International. Together with my team, our participation in the challenge was driven by the opportunity to contribute to improving the productivity and livelihoods of smallholder farmers across Uganda. With this money, I plan to expand our production to be able to make 3 units per week which is 12units per month and 120 units a year, hence reaching at least 120 poultry farmers a year across Uganda” - Monday Shaduraka
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1st Prize Winner: Simon Peter Okoci | Smart Kuku Brooder Innovation.
Details: It uses an automated temperature and light regulation system in brooders (UGX 35,000,000).
1st runner-up: Willy Katumwa | Fish Feeding Technology
Details: It automates fish feeding based on fish needs (UGX 25,000,000)
2nd runner-up: Samantha Ainembabazi | FREZA Nano Technology
Details: It's a fruit preservative technology that preserves fruits for up to 30 days (UGX 10,000,000)
“This initiative by Heifer Uganda is a very good one because it supports the many youth who are so talented but lack funding opportunities to further their initiatives. For two years, I looked for funding for my project with no success but Heifer did it for me" - Samuel Peter Okoci
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Cultivating Youth for Agri-Tech
Explore the inspiring journey of Uganda’s young innovators in Season 2 of the AYuTe Africa Challenge 2023. The gallery below is a highlight of the challenge, showcasing the rigorous selection process that determined our winners and finalists.
Each stage reveals the commitment and excellence of participants as they progressed through this prestigious competition.
Launch Event
We kicked off with an exclusive event, heralding the start of an exhilarating innovation challenge. This launch brought together visionaries, agricultural enthusiasts, and industry experts from across the nation, setting the stage for an exciting journey in Agri-tech innovation.
Incubation - Contestants
Filled with anticipation and excitement, innovators took on the stage to showcase their Agri-tech innovations. Each participant passionately presented their ideas, defending their functionality and how applicable they are to smallholder farmers in Uganda.
Award Ceremony
The event was a grand celebration of the remarkable accomplishments of the top three finalists. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as we honoured their vision, dedication, and ingenuity throughout the challenge.
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We embarked on a national quest to find Uganda’s best Agri-tech innovator. Here’s what some of the stakeholders had to say about the Challenge:
William Matovu - Country Director Uganda, Heifer International
“The AYuTe Africa challenge aims to identify and support young Agri-tech innovators to scale their ambitions and make a meaningful impact in Uganda. Initiatives like these attract young people in the agriculture landscape by giving them continued support “
Hon. Bwino Fred Kyakulaga - State Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
“More than just an incubation hub for Agri-tech startups, the AYuTe Africa Challenge brings together a variety of industry experts, investors and stakeholders to drive action and implement these innovations to cause transformation in the Agricultural sector “
Ms Adesuwa Ifedi - Senior Vice President, Africa Programs, Heifer International
“This challenge offers African youth an opportunity to create jobs yet still empower smallholder farmers with innovative solutions that address long-standing challenges. It also encourages a new generation of innovators to explore and embrace opportunities in the industry”
“More than just an incubation hub for Agri-tech startups, the AYuTe Africa Challenge brings together a variety of industry experts, investors and stakeholders to drive action and implement these innovations to cause transformation in the Agricultural sector."
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Do you want to Compete for a chance to Win? Apply today by clicking - Enter Challenge
CONTACT US:
Heifer International Uganda - +256 414231828
Flavia Nalubega, Communications Manager, Heifer Uganda - +256 781608488, Flavia.nalubega@heifer.org
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