Organized through a strategic collaboration between Makerere University Business School Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Incubation Centre (MUBS-EIIC) and Stanford University (USA), the event showcased innovative refugee-led startups.
Five innovative startups were awarded today at the Pitch Day of the Refugee Entrepreneurship Programme, a transformative initiative implemented through a collaboration between Makerere University Business School Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Incubation Centre (MUBS-EIIC) and Stanford University (USA).
Held at the MUBS-EIIC Innovation Theatre, the event brought together entrepreneurs, mentors, academics, investors, and ecosystem partners to celebrate refugee-led innovation and enterprise. The Pitch Day ran from 9:00am to 1:30pm, culminating in the recognition and awarding of five standout startups that demonstrated strong innovation, market potential, and social impact.
The Refugee Entrepreneurship Programme is designed to empower refugee entrepreneurs with practical skills, mentorship, and global exposure, enabling them to build sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to local and regional economies. Through this partnership, participants benefit from world-class entrepreneurial training, cross-border knowledge exchange, and access to a broader innovation network.
During the event, participating startups presented their business ideas to a panel of judges, highlighting solutions across various sectors aimed at addressing real-world challenges. The awarded startups received recognition and support intended to help them scale their ventures and deepen their impact.
Speaking at the event, representatives from MUBS-EIIC emphasized the importance of inclusive innovation, noting that refugee entrepreneurs bring resilience, creativity, and unique perspectives to the startup ecosystem. The Stanford University collaboration was also highlighted as a key pillar in strengthening programme quality and global relevance.
The Pitch Day marked an important milestone for the 2026 cohort and reaffirmed MUBS-EIIC’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship as a pathway to dignity, self-reliance, and economic transformation.
Event Details:
Event: Pitch Day – Refugee Entrepreneurship Programme
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
Time: 9:00am – 1:30pm
Venue: MUBS-EIIC Innovation TheatrE.
About MUBS-EIIC
The Makerere University Business School Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Incubation Centre (MUBS-EIIC) supports the development of innovative, scalable enterprises through training, incubation, and ecosystem partnerships.
About Stanford University Collaboration
Through its collaboration with MUBS-EIIC, Stanford University contributes global expertise, mentorship, and entrepreneurial best practices to support inclusive and high-impact innovation.
