Uganda's Premier Accelerator

Architecting the Future of Global Innovation.

YSAU is a high-performance accelerator system designed to bridge the gap between visionary startups and industry-wide innovation. We provide the capital, mentorship, and network required to scale at unprecedented speed.

YSAU Innovation Hub

“Building the foundation for the innovators of the next century.”

Our Mission

Our mission is to foster a sustainable and leading innovation economy by identifying, funding, and accelerating the most ambitious founders and startups across Uganda. We build a thriving, inclusive startup ecosystem that empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs to scale to unparalleled levels.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be the definitive launchpad for world-class innovation that drives sustainable economic growth. We envision a future where Ugandan-built companies compete at the highest levels globally, led by visionaries with access to world-class resources, mentorship, and capital networks that make global impact possible.

Our Story

Legacy of Growth

19
2019

The Beginning

YSAU was founded with a vision to transform Uganda's startup ecosystem. Our first cohort of 12 startups received seed funding and mentorship from industry leaders.

21
2021

Rapid Scale

Expanded operations to include SaaS and Agritech tracks. Deployed over $2M in capital to 80+ startups, with 3 companies reaching Series A funding.

26
2026

The Global Mission

YSAU has become East Africa's most active accelerator. With $12.5M+ deployed, 450+ funded startups, and partnerships with Microsoft, UNDP, and MTN Uganda.

YSAU Legacy Building

Leadership

Executive Board

World-class investors and a history of high-profile, billion-dollar innovation.

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Dr. Mark Watson

Dr. Mark Watson

Chief Executive Officer

Former Goldman Sachs director with 20+ years building emerging market capital structures.

Sarah K. Ochen

Sarah K. Ochen

Chief Operations Officer

Operations strategist with deep expertise in scaling tech companies across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Marcus Owusu

Marcus Owusu

Chief Investment Officer

Venture capital veteran managing $50M+ fund with a portfolio spanning 6 countries.

Dalida Aqyad

Dalida Aqyad

VP of Ecosystem

Global partnerships expert connecting founders to Microsoft, UNDP, and 200+ institutional investors.

What We Stand For

Core Values

The principles that guide every program, investment, and interaction within the YSAU ecosystem.

Unwavering Integrity

Every decision we make is guided by the highest ethical standards. We hold ourselves accountable to our founders, investors, and the broader community.

Collaborative Power

We believe the best outcomes emerge from diverse, inclusive collaboration. Our network amplifies the individual strengths of every founder we work with.

Radical Velocity

We move fast without sacrificing quality. Speed of execution combined with strategic clarity is how we help founders outpace the competition.

Founder-First Mindset

Founders are at the center of everything we do. Our programs, resources, and community are engineered to serve founder success above all else.

Join the Movement

Ready to Scale Your Impact?

Join the elite network of founders and partners building the next generation of industry leaders. Applications are now open for the 2026 Fall Cohort.