Financial hurdles can hinder start-up growth. To equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance needed to secure funding, 250 STARTUPS offers customized incubation, acceleration, and mentorship programs in Rwanda.

250STARTUPS, a Rwandan incubation and acceleration center led by Managing Director Charles Shyaka, provides technology startups with the resources to develop a proof of concept and become investment-ready through a customized program. The center accelerates startups for six months per cohort, offering financial, legal, technical, and mentoring support to help them transition from incubation to expansion.

The center also runs a capacity-building program for young graduates in information and communication technology (ICT), finance, and law, who collaborate closely with entrepreneurs under expert guidance. Each month, the center hosts Capital Talks, where incubatees showcase their progress to potential partners, investors, and other startups. The center currently supports 160 beneficiaries, 40 companies, and 80 associates.

Among the startups backed by 250 STARTUPS are Nyereka Tech, an e-commerce platform selling IoT sensors and experiential learning tools, and AFIA Pharma, a pharmaceutical e-commerce platform. Another notable startup is Safe Sana, which has developed a safety device that detects gas leaks, automatically shuts down the gas cylinder, triggers an alarm, and sends SMS alerts and calls to a mobile phone.

Melchior Koba