By Denis Kasule
Net picture of plastic bottles
Solution based entrepreneurs set to receive 370 million shillings from Accelerator 100+ Program. Priority will be given to those businesses providing solutions in the areas of climate change, gender inequality, biodiversity protection, health and wellness.
The Accelerator 100+ program, is an international competition which is locally implemented by the Nile breweries Limited-NBL on behalf of ABInBev, which is NBL’s mother company. The program encompasses on innovation aimed at offering financial mileage to start ups in the social impact and promoting environmental protection conscience.
The 2023 cohort, is the fifth of its kind since 2018. From the previous cohorts, one of the beneficiary businesses, was first runner up, from Uganda whose idea was turning plastic waste into useful material, particularly roofing tiles.
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Frank Kamugisha, the proprietor of Ecoplastiles Company, and a runner up from the 2020 cohort says his company, has recycled over 500 metric tonnes of plastic waste. He expects to recycle more plastics due to the partnerships he has obtained from the program.
According in to Kamugisha, participating in the competition opened opportunities for him and his company to serve and save society more. “When I was shortlisted for this program, and came for auditions, I received a contract from Coca-Cola company to recycle 150 metric tonnes of plastic waste every month. I have also been able to provide jobs to 180 people as plastic waste pickers, and have increased their pay for $2 to $7 a day,” he said.
He adds that without participating in such a program, he would have gotten to such levels. “I can comfortably say that if it wasn’t this program, I would not have gotten many of the opportunities I have received.”
Adu Rando, the NBL managing director, said that the program aims at solving challenges across a sector and its entire value chain. He added that they support the entrepreneurs under several ways.
“First launched in 2018, the 100+ Accelerator seeks to assist social entrepreneurs with cutting-edge solutions to problems affecting the globe and supply chains. We support the start-ups by providing mentorship, and funding and opportunities to pilot and scale their ideas within our business and value chain anywhere around the world,” Rando said.
Rando said that the program helps organizations serve society well. Accelerator 100+ program is intended to cause transformational social impact. “To us, a future with more cheers is a shared prosperity for our communities. It is growth that is inclusive and value that is shared and wins for the world fuel. These programs help companies reach its sustainability goals for 2025,” Rando said.