Ugandan Innovators Invited to Apply for UCC Incubation Support Initiative

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has opened applications for the 2017 incubation support initiative, a mechanism through which promising and emerging ICT businesses will be financed.

Happening for the first time, the initiative also aims at supporting high impact innovations in advancing communication services in the country.

Participating entities will stand a chance to win up to USD$15,000 (Roughly UGX 54,045,000) in seed funding to develop, validate prototype, commercialise or scale-up a creative concept that is related to the development of broadcasting, postal, or telecommunications services.

Another fund of up to USD45,000 will be given under the Incubation Promotion subsidy to facilitate the provision of incubation services by an existing incubator in the country.

According to a document from UCC which PC Tech Magazine has obtained, the promotion subsidy will be given to the areas of Plant and equipment for use by incubates, Development of laboratories and other testing facilities, Specialist resources required by multiple incubates, and Training facilities and resources.

ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY

Innovators
For an innovator to be eligible, they need to have an innovative concept that seeks to develop broadcasting, postal or telecommunications services and which they wish to develop or scale up.

The concept must be with respect to Communication and must be innovative in nature.

It must be intended to address any existing challenge or problem within the communications sector and or intended to improve on existing solutions, products or services.

The innovator shall be expected to demonstrate availability or access to additional finances required, and; working with a group or a team with diverse skills, competences and experience.

Incubators
For an incubator to be eligible, they must be a registered legal entity in Uganda as per the Companies Act; a registered higher or further education institution; a licensed or registered company, licensed by a relevant authority (ies) in Uganda.

They must be operating in Uganda and the applicant’s initiatives must be directly relevant to the UCC’s mandate.

The incubator must demonstrate value for money in utilizing the Commission resources in advancing high quality incubation services in the sector, and must be already operational in terms of already providing incubation services.[related-posts]

How to Apply
Interested innovators and incubators will be required to complete the Application form (available via http://ucc.co.ug/incubation/) which they will place in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Application for UCC Incubation Support Initiative grant”.

Successful applicants shall be selected based on the merit of the institution or company in promoting or providing ICT incubation services for the incubation promotion subsidy and on the maturity, richness and innovativeness of the innovation, concept.

The evaluation and final selection of applications shall be done by the Commission’s appointed committee and successful applicants shall be contacted within not more than 45 working days.

Deadline for application is on Monday July 24.