Better Late: The July Buzz

On 9 July, Hive Colab partnered with Startup Uganda to host The Founder's Budget Brief, a live panel that translated Uganda's 2026/27 National Budget into practical guidance for founders, investors, and the wider innovation ecosystem. Moderated by Raymond Mujuni and Simon Kasyate of the Grab A Coffee podcast, the conversation moved from the figures to what they actually signal for people building and backing ventures in Uganda, across tax and compliance, the digital economy, and the founder's playbook. Our thanks to Startup Uganda and every partner who made the convening possible.

In our latest fellow story, the founder of Mindset Coders shares the belief that became a venture: that if young people are to shape the future economy, they must move beyond using technology to building with it. From a curious learner to building Uganda's next generation of innovators, it is an honest look at the journey behind one of our Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, Cohort 1 ventures.

Every great innovation begins with a problem too many people have learned to live with. This month we welcomed Cynthia Baakira and Esther Kakihoza, co-founders of Cleanette, for a conversation moderated by Felly Amanda Baisuka. Their guiding question was disarmingly simple. If condom dispensers can exist in public spaces, why not sanitary pad dispensers? The solution became Cleanette, a manually operated, electricity-free dispenser that keeps pads within reach even where power is unreliable.

Over at our Mbarara office, this month's Founders Day Cafe brought together founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators for an honest, practical conversation on investor readiness, what it really takes to build businesses that are prepared for investment and ready to grow. A special thank you to keynote speaker Martin Tumwine for insights drawn from years of building, investing in, and supporting startups, and to everyone who showed up, asked questions, and made connections. You are the reason this community keeps growing. See you at the next one.

Many early-stage founders believe effective marketing requires a big budget. In reality, some of the world's most successful startups grew because they deeply understood their customers, told compelling stories, and consistently delivered value, not because they outspent the competition.