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Support a unique startup initiative in Africa

9367 miles away from Silicon Valley this Ugandan community is redefining innovation

Support a unique startup initiative in Africa

9367 miles away from Silicon Valley this Ugandan community is redefining innovation

1 Campaign |

London, United Kingdom

$22,639 USD by 551 backers

$21,369 USD by 523 backers on Sep 11, 2016

Story

FAQ

Updates 6

Comments 5

Overview

A small rural valley in East Uganda is learning from the start-up world how to get funding for their projects. Through pitching their business ideas such as Chicken, the 3D Egg Printer and Chair, the human charging station, the entrepreneurs of Bulambuli Valley are sending a message to the world: don’t just back Silicon Valley, #backourvalley too.

Why they need your help

There are dozens of projects under way in Bulambuli: from pig-rearing to banana growing, clothes tailoring to basket-making. They may not be the technological innovations we so often see filling the pages of Indiegogo. But just like other entrepreneurs, the people of Bulambuli need your support to make their ideas a reality. If we reach our goal we will be able to fund 5 start-ups in "The Valley".

Who are the entrepreneurs of Bulambuli Valley

In a rural community in East Uganda, Bulambuli Valley, everyone is an entrepreneur, risking everything to bring their projects to life. And with new business ideas such as Chicken, the 3D Egg Printer, or Chair, the human charging station, they are sending a message to the startup world:

Don’t just back Silicon Valley, back our valley too.

Why back our campaign

If you back our campaign, we can provide the entrepreneurs of Bulambuli with the skills, training and support they need to develop successful businesses and build thriving communities. Everything, from the first dollar donated, will be invested in Bulambuli. And the more you pledge, the more you help.

What will we do with the money

With $15,000 Communities for Development will be able to support 5 more small businesses. But with $25,000, we can support 5 more, with $50,000, we can open an entrepreneur school, and with $100,000, a permanent innovation hub in East Uganda to support entrepreneurs in Bulambuli and beyond. Let's aim for the stars!

What do you get if you pledge

Aside from endless love and affection, you will also be showered with scrumptious perks in appreciation for your generosity - and to provide you with a lasting souvenir of your support to the entrepreneurs of Bulambuli. Get pledging before they run out!

Check out the latest designs you have to choose from when you opt for an entrepreneur t-shirt:

Help us spread the word

We also want the voices of our entrepreneurs to be heard by the most influential innovators our our time - Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Richard Branson to name but a few - and with your help we hope they will be. So join us in our mission to tell the world about the entrepreneurs of Bulambuli - share, like, tweet, blog, basically spread the word about their story in any way you can. It costs you zero but can have a big impact on our Valley!

Who are Communities for Development

Communities for Development is an NGO working to support entrepreneurs in rural Uganda. Through setting up saving groups, providing business training and support, we help the people of Bulambuli Valley save money, develop businesses and build thriving communities.

By leveraging their skills and savings, our entrepreneurs can unlock new forms of economic participation to build a better future for themselves and their families.

What have we done so far

With our help, 240 entrepreneurs are receiving training, saving money each week and developing business ideas, 80% of them women. 60 of these are already starting businesses and earning their own income. With your support, we can help more entrepreneurs create successful businesses and be able to support their families and communities. Check out our website or contact us for more info.

The team

Since the creation of its first saving group, the dedicated C4D team has grown to bring together a diverse bunch of people, passions and skills from Uganda and beyond. Though rarely all in the same timezone, we work together to achieve a common goal – to support and let the world know about the entrepreneurs of Bulambuli. Check out who we all are and what we do below:

Frequently Asked Questions

How are you going to invest the donations?

Communities for Development works with entrepreneurs in rural Uganda to help them save money and develop small businesses to generate their own income. After being provided with training on saving and basic business skills, entrepreneurs propose business projects they wish to develop. C4D then provides advice to ensure their proposals are sustainable and an initial financial injection to get their businesses, and their investments, off to the best possible start. With this crucial kick-start and ongoing support, plus some motivation and hard work, C4D helps to ensure their entrepreneurs reach their goals.

Will the Chicken, Tomato and Chair business ideas in the video be funded?

The business proposals in the campaign video are representative of the types of project our Bulambuli entrepreneurs have proposed. The actual projects that are launched will always depend on the feasibility and sustainability of the proposals and the level of funding available.

How can I see what happens with the money raised?

Communities for Development will be keeping backers updated throughout and beyond the campaign so you can see exactly where your money goes. C4D monitors projects and developments day-to-day from the field and will be providing these regular updates plus special campaign updates via social media and our blog - make sure you sign up to follow our entrepreneurs on their journey to economic freedom.

If you do not hit the 20K target, what will you do with the funds raised?

Even if we don't quite make the target (but we're staying positive here!) we will continue to invest funds in the Bulambuli Valley community so they can receive training in basic accounting and business skills in order to help them build a vibrant future for themselves.

How can I know more about Communities for Development?

If you want to know more about the work C4D does and how it does it, please don’t hesitate to visit the website, connect with us on social media or drop us a line on the links provided.

More questions?

Get in touch! We'd be happy to discuss any questions you have whether about C4D projects, the campaign, or life in general.

Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ

Let us know if you think this campaign contains prohibited content.

Choose your Perk

featured

Entrepreneur t-shirt 2.0

$45 USD

What a generous spirit. As a final phase backer you will be treated with one of our exclusive new designs: Chair - the human charging station. Or Tomato - the 100% solar powered food revolution. Or perhaps you'd like to keep it classic with Chicken - the 3D Egg Printer. The choice, as they say, is yours...

10 out of 50 of claimed

Ships worldwide.

Thank you!

$5 USD

Thank you for your support! Look forward to hearing all about the progress of our entrepreneurs and how your money helped.

64 out of 500 of claimed

Personalised thank you video

$20 USD

Aren't you kind? A thank you video direct from the entrepreneur community in Bulambuli will be on its way to you soon. Now don't you feel special.

42 out of 300 of claimed

Fabric bag

$35 USD

Great stuff thanks! On its way to you after the campaign will be a fabric bag featuring one of Bulambuli's groundbreaking start-ups: Tomato, the 100% solar powered food. You'll be the envy of your friends.

71 out of 200 of claimed

Campaign closing t-shirt sale

$70 USD

Who doesn't love a deal? As we reach campaign close we're practically giving these soon-to-be-collectibles away - your choice of two of our fashion-blazing entrepreneur t-shirts with a donation of just €70. Well that's Christmas shopping sorted...

8 out of 50 of claimed

Ships worldwide.

Donate and name a "Chicken"

$100 USD

Wow, thanks so much! For all that cash you will have the honour of naming one of our high-tech 3D Egg Printers. You will even get a video featuring the moment of the naming. Ginger? Rocky? Better get thinking...

16 out of 50 of claimed

Donate and name a cow

$300 USD

Gee-whizz, you really went all out. With your help we can launch "Cow, the smart milk dispenser." Not only will you bring a cow to the community you can name it too! We will even send you a video of the naming ceremony. Cowie McCowface? Sure!

6 out of 15 of claimed

Sponsor a business

$1,000 USD

With this level of support your can sponsor a business. You can help it get set up, follow its progress and watch it flourish. Lord Sugar eat your heart out. Though no firing people, that isn't the point.

1 out of 10 of claimed

Create a start-up incubator

$10,000 USD

Generosity of this kind will leave a lasting mark on this community. By sponsoring a start-up incubator, you can ensure any budding entrepreneur in Bulambuli can get the help and support they need to make their business a success. Who knows what weird and wonderful ideas will be born...

0 out of 1 of claimed

sold out