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AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda

Compete for a chance to win a share of UGX70,000,000 in grant prize funding.

Apply Now!

About the Challenge

AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda is Uganda's most ambitious agriculture competition. We identify agricultural and innovative tech ideas with the potential to address the challenges of smallholder farmers in Uganda, such as strengthening food security and improving production, income, resilience and access to finance.

The annual AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda will award cash grants to Uganda's most promising young agri-tech innovators.

Our support doesn't end there. We will also deploy a team of expert advisers — accomplished business veterans — to support AYuTe National Champions in Uganda to succeed in agricultural value chains and impact the lives of smallholder farmers in Uganda.

The second edition of the AYuTe Africa Challenge Ugand is brought to you by Heifer International Uganda in partnership with RSM East Africa, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, EzyAgric, Famunera, and NAGRC&DB.

    1. Be based in Uganda.

    2. Be an innovator between the ages of 18 and 35.

    3. Be a startup OR have been in business for the past three years.

    4. Have the potential to translate innovations into meaningful impact for smallholder farmers across the country.  

    5. Demonstrate that you are providing a truly innovative product or service with potential for growth and a viable market, and show that you are not duplicating something that exists in other markets.

    6. Show that there is demand among smallholder farmers for what you are providing and that your solution is affordable.

  • To enter, click Apply Now button and follow the steps below.

     Step 1. Record a two-minute video introducing yourself and demonstrating how your innovation works, the problem it seeks to solve, how it can potentially translate into a meaningful impact for smallholder farmers across the country and how much money you would need to bring it to life.

    Ensure that the video is not longer than two minutes, has clear audio and is in MP4 format.

    Step 2. Upload your video at the link above, OR send it to this WhatsApp number: +256 781 608488.

    Step 3. Compete for a share of UGX70,000,000 up for grabs, among other prizes and development support.

     · The winner takes UGX35,000,000

    · First runner-up takes UGX25,000,000

    · Second runner-up takes UGX10,000,000

  • The 2023 call for participation in the AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda will run from July 26 to August 25, 2023.

  • PROMOTER

    • Heifer International Uganda, having its address at Plot 1 Yusuf Lule Rd, Kampala (hereinafter the “Promoter”) organizes, in partnership with select sponsors and partners, The AYuTe Africa Challenge Uganda (the “Competition”).

    • The Competition is managed on behalf of the Promoter by Liveworks Incorporated, having its address at Kaduyu road, Kampala, Uganda (the “Agency”)
       

    ELIGIBILITY

    • The Competition is open to;

      • Ugandans aged 18 – 35 years who are innovators

      • Owners of start-up OR a business for the past three years

    • They must have the potential to translate innovations into meaningful impact for small holder farmers across the country. 

    • He/she should demonstrate that you are providing a truly innovative product or service with potential for growth, viable market and not merely duplicating something that exists in many other markets.

    • You must show that there is demand among smallholder farmers for what you are providing and that it's affordable.


    COMPETITION PERIOD

    • The term of the Competition is from July 26 to August 25, 2023, both days inclusive (the "Competition Period").

    COMPETITION PARTICIPATION                                                            

    • The Competition is open to Eligible Innovators that meet the criteria as specified in Section (2), during the Competition Period.

    • COMPETITION MECHANICS AND PRIZES

      • Record a video introducing yourself and demonstrating how the proposed innovation works, what problem it seeks to solve, how it can potentially translate into a meaningful impact for smallholder farmers across the country and how much money you need to bring it to life.

      • The video submitted must not be longer than 2 minutes. It must have clear audio and must be shared in MP4 Format. 

      • Participants must submit their videos via the link OR send it to the WhatsApp number +256 781 608488 

      • The most eligible submissions (25) will be shortlisted to participate in an Incubation experience leading to a pitching event that will run online.

      • 10 Eligible Innovators who qualify will be entered into a final verification exercise managed by a panel of judges.

      • The overall winner will be awarded a cash prize of UGX 35,000,000. The 1st runner-up will win UGX 25,000,000, and the 2nd runner-up will win UGX 10,000,000.

      • All 25 Agritech innovators will receive premium access to Ezyagric & Famunera Digital Export Marketplace for 12 months. 

      • The Prizes will be handed out at a Gala Awards Ceremony on September 28 2023.

      • If a Prize is not claimed within ninety (30) days from the winner's announcement (s) and notification, the winner will be deemed to have forfeited the Prize.

       

      GENERAL RULES

      • The Eligible Participant may be required to participate in publicity related to the Competition, including having their photograph or video taken and their name, nationality and country of residence disclosed.

      • The Eligible Participant will be required to participate in filmed sessions between July 26 and September 28, 2023, both inclusive dates.

      • All participants will retain intellectual property rights to their innovation and sign consent forms for all involvement.

      • Any pictures depicting the Prizes in the press media, such as advertisements, posters or TV commercials, are illustrative, and the actual Prizes may vary from the depictions. The Competition does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of the products or services being offered as Prizes.

      • The Promoter disclaims any warranty or representation in relation to the Prizes and shall not be responsible for the proper functioning of the Prizes or any defect, loss or injury resulting from their use.

      • By entering the Competition, all Eligible Participants will be deemed to have accepted and be bound by these terms and conditions, which the Promoter shall interpret at their sole discretion. Decisions made by the Promoter in all matters concerning the Competition are final, and no correspondence will be entered into. 

      • The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions or cancel, alter or amend the Competition at any stage if deemed necessary in its opinion or circumstances arise outside of its control. These terms and conditions shall be subject to the laws of Uganda.

  • Read the press release for the 2022 AYuTe Uganda Champions here:

    Watch video coverage of the 2022 AYuTe Uganda Champions here:

    • 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.” - Monday Shaduraka