A launchpad
for kingdom business entrepreneurs & Startups
Next class starts in August 2026!
Starting or growing a Christian Business in East Africa?
You've come to The Right Community!
AVODA Institute of Entrepreneurship’s three programs are designed specifically to help Christian entrepreneurs in East Africa raise revenue and investment to become transformative businesses for Christ.
AVODA was born from painstaking research and interviews into over 300 African startups, accelerator programs, and investor networks. AVODA identified 36 specific challenges that African entrepreneurs face today. AVODA’s programs are made to help address these challenges.
AVODA is East Africa’s first NextGen Startup Hub. We recognize that many entrepreneurs in Uganda, Tanzania, and other East African nations are ready to outgrow the “grant-preneurship” model (i.e. small businesses starting and surviving on small, US$10-50k grants) that has largely defined Africa’s startup ecosystem till now. The “Next Generation” (NextGen) of East Africa’s startups must focus on securing local revenue and international contracts, rather than grants. As a NextGen Startup Hub, AVODA focuses on connecting our students, not only to investors and donors, but to revenue – local and global customers and markets.
AVODA's Kingdom Vision for Africa
With 680 million Christians and counting, Africa is rapidly becoming the “global center of Christianity”. However, Africa’s Christian businesses are not only under-served in customized business education and business funding, they are yet to be made fully aware of their historic opportunity to build the Kingdom of God in and through Africa.
AVODA’s vision is to equip Africa’s Christian businesses with the practical tools, necessary resources, and Kingdom-driven community to make revenue and impact for Christ, both locally and globally.
Located at the very heart of Kampala!
AVODA Blue Programs in Uganda
Alumni & Student Testimonials
Peace
Peace is a community psychologist, a mom, and like many of us — she doubted if business was really “her thing.” But she decided to give it a try… and something changed.
From the leadership classes that helped her see what was already inside her, to the MVP sessions that sparked ideas she didn’t know she had, to the 10K challenge that proved even 10,000 shillings can be the start of something real… Peace’s story is a reminder that sometimes, you don’t need all the answers, You just need a place that helps you start.
At AVODA, she found more than knowledge, she found community, confidence, and clarity.
Steven
Steven is an agriculture consultant who always knew hard work alone wasn’t enough — something was missing in how he approached his business. When he joined AVODA, that missing piece began to fall into place.
A powerful session on value chains with Jun Shiomitsu opened his eyes to where his real potential lay, and guidance from mentor Brian Lee helped him define the unique skill that sets him apart.
What stood out most wasn’t just the teaching, but the warmth, faith, and genuine care of the AVODA community. For Steven, AVODA became more than a program — it became a turning point.
Paula
Paula always dreamed of creating something significant. She wasn’t sure where to start, though, like many of us who are just starting out.
All this changed when she joined the AVODA Blue Program. For the first time, she was surrounded by people who believed in big ideas, weren’t afraid to chase them, had the tools and network with which to do so, and were not shy to share them with her.
One thing that really stuck with her was the day she learned how to the test her idea with real customers. That one small change helped her stop guessing and start growing, and now she’s building.
Robert
Robert, juggles a home-based business alongside another full time job.
He discovered AVODA through his church friend, who saw Robert’s potential and invited him to a session. That first marketing class hooked Robert, and he enrolled in the next AVODA Blue program. What stood out most for him was the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) concept, and that’s when he realized he didn’t need a big investment upfront. He could test small and improve as he goes.
Since then, he’s been applying that mindset to his business, and the results have been fantastic.
