By Ethan Brisby, Chief Visionary Officer, SHIFT Enterprise Academy
In 2023, SHIFT Enterprise Academy launched SHIFT Ventures, a pilot program aimed at equipping and empowering visionary entrepreneurs across Africa. Among our inaugural cohort members, Dr. Albert Rwakimari stands out. A focused and driven entrepreneur, Albert is the Founder and CEO of the NuNu Fund—a groundbreaking initiative combining finance, community, and education in a way that is redefining school fee payments in Uganda.
Albert’s background as a medical doctor and his business acumen have led him to design a unique model that helps parents save as they spend. With every purchase they make at partner stores and retail shops, a percentage is automatically saved and deposited into the NuNu Fund. The Fund manages these savings and helps them grow, allowing school fees to be paid directly to local schools when they come due. Today, the NuNu Fund is covering school fees for over 1,200 students in Kabale, located in Uganda’s far West Region.
A Model of Self-Sustaining Community Investment
Albert’s vision is to address the perennial challenge of school fees in Uganda, where education is a crucial driver of economic progress. Parents in the NuNu community have a reliable system to save without needing to change their everyday spending habits. The NuNu Fund has a growing network of partner stores, where each transaction supports a child's future education, building a community investment cycle that fosters financial literacy and resilience.
Through SHIFT Ventures, Albert had the opportunity to refine his business strategy with the support of experienced mentors, including Bill Lartigue, one of my trusted advisors from Texas. Bill has a wealth of experience and has been a cornerstone for early-stage guidance, helping Albert transform ideas into actionable steps. This mentorship component is core to SHIFT’s approach: we recognize that, regardless of culture, sound business principles and the wisdom of experience transcend borders. The mentor relationship we foster here is one of mutual benefit, often creating a “circular economy of knowledge.”
Training, Community, and Expansion with SHIFT Ventures
Albert joined SHIFT Enterprise Academy in April 2023 as part of our pilot SHIFT Ventures cohort. His dedication was evident from day one; he consistently showed up for every training, engaged in live discussions, and contributed valuable insights during community calls. Through the program, he developed compelling and fundable proposals, securing additional funding for the NuNu Fund to expand with its first village store—further integrating the model within the community.
Our program pillars, SHIFT: Save Your Money, Help Your Family, Imagine
Your Goals, Follow Directions, and Think Accurately, are values we teach to every SHIFT participant. Albert has embodied each of these principles, especially as NuNu Fund scales its presence and explores mobile app options to bring his vision closer to underserved communities. His venture addresses a critical gap in the local education ecosystem and demonstrates the power of aligning financial innovation with community values.
The Future of NuNu Fund and a Vision for SHIFT Ventures
As I reflect on Albert’s journey, I’m reminded that SHIFT Ventures is more than just an accelerator; it’s a testament to the power of training, education, and investment. SHIFT Ventures continues to forge partnerships that will make a lasting impact on ventures like NuNu. Together, we are addressing the challenge of educational accessibility with an approach that transcends traditional charity, focusing instead on building community-led solutions. We’re optimistic that future collaborations could even include integrating a SHIFT Token (SHF), creating an interconnected payment system that amplifies our shared mission to tackle Uganda’s long-standing financial and intellectual challenges.
SHIFT Ventures is rapidly expanding, guided by SHIFT's upward trajectory. Our support for early-stage ventures like NuNu Fund exemplifies our commitment to community-driven growth and sustainable impact. With the upcoming SHIFT Forward Centers, we're creating spaces that foster innovation, mentorship, and resource-sharing for ventures poised to lead in their sectors. These Centers will unlock new investment opportunities for partners seeking to mentor and empower impactful startups in East Africa.
Our story with Albert and NuNu Fund is one of collaboration, mentorship, and innovation—a shared journey toward a future where financial tools empower communities, not burden them. At SHIFT Ventures, we are continually inspired by leaders like Albert who are pushing boundaries and redefining possibilities. And as we look forward, we’re committed to bringing the best of our network, mentors, and resources to bear on Africa’s most pressing challenges, one venture at a time.
Explore the NuNu Fund and join us in creating opportunities that shape a brighter future for Uganda and beyond.
Join Us in Empowering Education and Financial Resilience in Uganda
Albert Rwakimari’s journey with NuNu Fund isn’t just about a business model; it’s about reshaping possibilities for families, students, and entire communities. With SHIFT Ventures, we’re proud to support visionaries like Albert who are pioneering accessible education solutions and pathways to financial security. But there’s more to accomplish, and we believe the potential for positive change in Uganda is boundless.
How You Can Help Build This Movement
Mentorship Opportunities: If you have expertise in technology, finance, education, or community development, consider becoming a SHIFT mentor. Your knowledge could directly support leaders like Albert in scaling impactful initiatives that address critical needs in underserved areas.
Strategic Partnerships: We’re looking for like-minded organizations and impact investors to join us in driving NuNu’s model forward. By partnering with SHIFT, you could play a key role in developing tools, resources, and solutions that empower families to invest in their children’s futures sustainably.
Invest in the Future: Through direct investment, in-kind support, or sponsorship of programs within SHIFT Ventures, you can help scale NuNu Fund’s impact, offering parents and students in Uganda pathways to resilience and opportunity.
Be a Catalyst for Change
At SHIFT, we believe in the power of connected efforts. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities for growth. Join us in building a future where every child can access the education they deserve and every community has the tools for financial resilience. Let’s bridge the gap together.
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