The competition, organized by Global Entrepreneurship Network Uganda in partnership with Enterprise Uganda, attracted more than 100 applications from entrepreneurs across the country before being narrowed down to 10 finalists pitching innovative business solutions addressing social, environmental and economic challenges.
After intense deliberations by a four-member jury, Helton Traders Limited, a startup transforming plastic waste into sewing thread and fabric, was announced the overall winner.
The company walked away with Shs2 million and the opportunity to officially represent Uganda at the continental entrepreneurship showcase scheduled for September 16–17, 2026 in Cape Town.
Kyuka Ventures Innovation Hub, which operates in the energy sector, emerged first runner-up and received Shs1.5 million, while Dada Innovations (Simply Hers), a health-tech startup, secured second runner-up position and received Shs1 million.
Beyond the cash prizes, the competition offers startups international exposure, investor access, networking opportunities and entry into one of Africa’s largest entrepreneurship ecosystems.
The winning startup will now join entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and ecosystem builders from across the continent at the GEC+ Africa Conference, where more than 2,000 delegates are expected to discuss innovation, investment and entrepreneurship-led growth.
Speaking during the event, Mary Odongo, Managing Director of GEN Uganda, described the competition as a launchpad for entrepreneurs seeking to scale beyond Uganda’s borders.
“Today’s event is more than a competition. It is a platform of vision, courage and innovation. Behind every pitch is an entrepreneur who has chosen to step forward, take risks and work towards building solutions that can transform lives, communities and economies,” Odongo said.
She said the initiative is designed not only to identify winners but also to strengthen Uganda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through mentorship, networking and growth support.
“This is not only about securing support but also about building networks, gaining mentorship and creating opportunities for growth. We thank all our mentors and partners who continue to strengthen Uganda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” she added.
Odongo said participation in the continental competition would allow Ugandan entrepreneurs to connect with innovators from across Africa, exchange ideas and explore new markets.
“It is a good initiative that will connect young African entrepreneurs and allow them to share business ideas that will help them develop their enterprises and explore more opportunities,” she said.
For the winning team, the journey is only beginning.
As Uganda’s representative, Helton Traders will also be featured in a continental deal book that will be shared with investors attending the conference, boosting its prospects for partnerships, funding and market expansion.
Representing GEN South Africa, Carmen Rudd, who also served as one of the judges, said the GEC+ Africa platform was established to strengthen collaboration among African entrepreneurs and accelerate business growth across the continent.
She noted that the inaugural GEC+ Africa Congress in 2024 attracted more than 3,500 delegates from 38 African countries, including 16 ministers, helping to build stronger innovation and entrepreneurship networks.
“The importance of this Congress lies in the knowledge economy and how entrepreneurs can learn from somebody else’s experiences in order to grow and scale their businesses,” Rudd said.
According to Rudd, this year’s conference will focus on sustainable and inclusive growth, climate innovation, digital transformation, access to finance and policy development.
Entrepreneurs attending the event will participate in investor matchmaking sessions, startup exhibitions, policy roundtables and networking engagements aimed at unlocking business opportunities across Africa.
Rudd added that winners from countries including Uganda, Botswana, Namibia, Algeria and Egypt will compete for continental recognition and investment opportunities during the Cape Town gathering.
One of the judges, Samuel Yiga Zinunula, praised the quality of ideas presented during the competition and encouraged young innovators to continue building businesses capable of creating jobs and transforming communities.
Among the finalists was Paytota Universal Payment Gateway, which is developing solutions aimed at addressing interoperability challenges in Africa’s digital payments ecosystem.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Erasmus Okurut, said fragmented payment systems remain one of the biggest barriers to e-commerce growth on the continent.
“Africa is ready for digital payments. We are focused on building solutions that make money move seamlessly across borders while helping businesses access larger markets,” Okurut said.
For Enterprise Uganda, the competition reflects a broader commitment to supporting entrepreneurship beyond the pitching stage.
Ronald Mukasa Senkubuge, the organization’s Chief Operating Officer, said Enterprise Uganda remains focused on helping entrepreneurs access mentorship, markets, business development services and growth opportunities.
“We want to celebrate young entrepreneurs who are innovative, creating impact in their communities and generating jobs. This competition gives them an audience and a platform to showcase their business ideas,” he said.
He added that while only one startup would represent Uganda in Cape Town, the competition had already achieved one of its key objectives by identifying and supporting a new generation of entrepreneurs with scalable ideas.
“Today we have seen many young entrepreneurs exhibiting remarkable ideas. Through this initiative, we are supporting them and creating pathways to markets and opportunities for their products,” Senkubuge added.
For Munyasa Hellen, the victory represents validation that solutions developed in Uganda can compete at a continental level.
“This is a really big opportunity for us. It will give us access to global connections, wider markets for our products and encourage many other young entrepreneurs who have great ideas but lack support,” she said.
As celebrations concluded in Kampala, focus immediately shifted to the next challenge — representing Uganda before investors, policymakers and entrepreneurs from across Africa in Cape Town this September.
For Helton Traders and the other finalists, the pitching competition may have ended in Kampala, but the journey toward continental visibility, partnerships and business growth is only beginning.