Graduate Innovation Program (GIP)

Program Description

The Graduate Innovation Program (GIP) is designed to support university students and faculty in transforming their ideas, research, and final-year projects into commercially viable and scalable ventures.

The program provides participants with comprehensive support including expertise, business coaching, business development support, and funding opportunities to enable successful commercialization and market entry. The program serves as a bridge to the gap between academic research and market- ready solutions.

Program Running August 26th - November 29th, 2025

Hybrid delivery combining physical and virtual components

This is your opportunity to find a new idea for your business!

Program Objectives

To train and build the capacity of 100 high potential participants including students, faculty, graduates, and postgraduates from Makerere University in entrepreneurship and innovation, and to form and support 20 multi-functional teams to advance the most promising ideas into validated business models.
To support the development of at least 10 viable innovations or prototypes addressing real-world challenges in sectors such as food and agriculture, the circular economy, and technology, by transforming academic research and student projects into market-ready solutions with measurable local and regional impact.
To promote inter-disciplinary collaboration and teams between different faculties/colleges/schools within the university.