Since its establishment in 2017 as a pilot project in Rwanda, StartupMart has been dedicated to
providing consultancy services and affordable office equipment to empower young entrepreneurs.
Recognizing its impact and success, StartupMart was officially incorporated under the Rwanda
Development Board in 2019. With a focus on comprehensive business incubation consultancy services,
youth policy development and review, and participatory problem diagnosis, StartupMart continues to
make significant contributions in supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In December 2020, Nelisa
Awakening Africa (NAA) was established in Kenya, marking the beginning of its expansion across
multiple countries.
Today, NAA has successfully extended its reach to countries such as Rwanda, Eswatini, Guinea, Sierra
Leone, and Uganda, with plans to expand further into South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and
beyond. Through impactful initiatives such as mindset shifts campaigns, webinars and training
programs on career and talent development, promotion and preservation of authentic cultural
heritages, youth innovative entrepreneurship, and wellness and mental health awareness sessions, NAA
has reached over 100,000 youth, positively impacting thousands of households they represent. Over
the years, StartupMart has made remarkable strides in supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem,
collaborating with various organizations to serve and assist 1,110 young entrepreneurs.
This achievement has solidified StartupMart’s reputation as a trusted partner within the startup
community, known for its expertise and effectiveness in fostering growth. Building upon its
accomplishments, StartupMart has become an integral part of the Nelisa Startup Fund, amplifying its
impact and potential. Since 2022, the seamless integration of StartupMart into the Nelisa Startup
Fund has further strengthened its position as a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth and development.
This strategic milestone showcases the shared commitment to nurturing and supporting startups,
leveraging collective resources and expertise to drive innovation, economic growth, and empowerment.
The fusion of StartupMart and the Nelisa Startup Fund has achieved significant milestones and gained
substantial traction in its mission to enhance the success rates of aspiring entrepreneurs. This
strategic collaboration has yielded impressive results, bolstering overall entrepreneurial endeavors
while focusing on specific areas of advancement, such as female entrepreneurship and the
modernization of youth cooperatives startups.
Notably, the partnership has made remarkable strides in promoting agripreneurship and blue
entrepreneurship, facilitating renewable energy exploitation, and championing environmental
protection. Moreover, the collaborative efforts have successfully fostered the growth of homemade
services and products, effectively contributing to both economic prosperity and sustainability. This
strategic alliance not only saught to boost overall entrepreneurial endeavors but also places
specific emphasis on advancing female entrepreneurship and modernizing youth cooperatives startups.
The focus areas within these startups include agripreneurship and blue entrepreneurship, renewable
energy exploitation, and environmental protection. Additionally, the collaboration aims to promote
homemade services and products, further contributing to economic growth and sustainability.
Together, the youth we serve continue to pave the way for transformative ideas, leveraging their
combined strengths to create an environment conducive to innovation, entrepreneurship, and
sustainable economic progress.
