Benjamin's Impact story on the Start-Up Academy implemented in Kampala, Uganda
Lumu Benjamin is an Aidu-Talent pursuing a Bachelors Degree for Industrial and Fine Arts at Makerere University Kampala. He is an an artist owning an arts and clothing brand known as Telo Arts. Benjamin is also a hardworking young farmer, who is currently doing agriculture on 10 acres up country. Benjamin was one of the fourty participants at the Swiss Re Start-Up Academy implemented in Kampala, Uganda, in December 2021. Special appreciation to the partnership between JA (Junior Achievement) Uganda and Aiducation International, and the Swiss Re Foundation. Today we tap into his experience.
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" A rare but beautiful African smile appeared on me; it was yet another good day for me. I had received an invite to the Swiss-Re Start Up academy. How happy enough would a young man be?
I am Lumu Benjamin, aged 19, an art enthusiast, with a particular inclusion of music. Taking part in the Swiss-Re Start Up academy was backed by my early participation in the Junior Achievement company of the year program, 2019. So, I followed closely for upcoming events and there i applied for as soon as I landed on the opportunity. I was blessed to be invited.
On the sunny Sunday 28th, I arrived at Nob View Hotel Ntinda, in the company of a friend with whom I had applied. “Beautiful Scenery,” he pointed as I nodded my head in agreement. New faces everywhere. We decided to take a walk around and appreciate the magnificent scenery. There then arose different thoughts of what the program would be like. “Start Up Academy !!?” I thought, “How will this be!” I kept an arising desire to learn more about business. It has always been. I was set to spend the next 5 days within.
As the sun rose that Monday, the excitement also arose. Top of the morning was a heavy breakfast that left everyone contented. “Yes!!!”, with such breakfast, I guarantee the knowledge landed on healthy brains.
After the welcoming message from Kera McDonald, sessions started with ice breakers and I’ll admit, I got to know some people there. The Ice breakers were a chance to open to our colleagues, who we were to spend the week with. These ice breakers made me realize that our mentors were more interactive than I thought they would be. We then listened to a Keynote speech from Stuart Jason Mwesigwa of the Roofing company before we then received an introduction to GYLA by the National Coordinator, Joseph Nuwasiima. I already looked forward to being part of the GYLA family
After our lunch break,we were taught how to pitch our start-up ideas, build blocks of a business, and last learnt about Swiss Re. We captured the moment as coffee went down the throats of the listeners. We had our leisure moments with the new friends we had made and after the dinner, we rested in the comfortable rooms.
Day 2 kicked off with understanding the Customer Need Solution and the Unique Selling Proposition. We also learned how to develop a business model. For each session, the groups we had created were each helped by a mentor who coached them.
Day 3 came with the Basics of bookkeeping and Financial Statements. We also had one on one mentorships with our favourite mentors. I continued to appreciate the good meals and make more friends.
On Day 4, we learned about Marketing and Sales. It was amazing how group members had gotten to know each other more. We became family and each team fought to be the winning team. Even at midnight, a one renown team kept working. This scared many of us.
Day 5 was the day to pitch our projects. Adrenaline swept through people’s veins. Shivers as some felt less prepared for the final presentations. Standing in-front of the audience, facing the serious judges. What a moment to remember! Each team presented their best and I must say, we all deserved to be winners. But we needed to know the best winner
As the judges did their math, we had an excursion which was memorable to everyone. The long-awaited dinner came, and we were all eager to hear who the best winner was since we were all winners. Moment after another, as the speeches were made, the tension grew stronger. I’ll say that I didn’t hear the results for the good of the winning team. Regardless, we all received gifts for being winners and everyone was so happy.
As a young entrepreneur, this program thrilled me to even better my small T-shirt business. Generally, my entire view on certain things totally changed. It was a whole new perspective. I’ll be unfair not to extend my thanks to Swiss Re, Aiducation, Junior Achievement Uganda and all our mentors. If there’s any reason I should be proud of my financial knowledge today, it’s them. "
Written by Benjamin - AiduTalent, Uganda.