On Tuesday October 21, 2025, a new chapter in the Rwandan entrepreneurship ecosystem was opened at Norrsken Kigali.
Kigali – Tangira StartUp TV Contest, Rwanda’s first contest entrepreneurship platform dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and celebrating innovation, unveiled the top 12 entrepreneurs out of 50 who will face the judges and also undergo mentorship.
Tangira proudly recognises the partners whose contributions made the first season a success, and the journey possible. They include Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), IGIHE, 250 Startups Incubator, Rwanda ICT Chamber, Business Professionals Network (BPN Rwanda), Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP), Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE), RG-Consult, AbaVip, BTN TV Rwanda, ATV, Capital FM, Royal FM, Itara Filmz and Nep Filmz.
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Speaking to the media, Remmygious Lubega, CEO of RG-Consult, the curators of the project, explained that the last two months availed a great opportunity to many Rwandans who had been left out on entrepreneurship and mentorship programmes, bringing a smile on their faces.
He explained that Tangira StartUp TV Contest was born out of the need to onboard more entrepreneurs that were not affluent in the English language speaking to have a chance to participate and showcase their entrepreneurship skills and acquire mentorship to allow them to grow.
The main purpose of this project was not only to connect emerging entrepreneurs’ abilities and ideas and benefit from mentorships, but most profoundly, offer these startups exposure and visibility while getting them closer to funding opportunities in order to grow their ideas into impactful and sustainable enterprises.
Furthermore, Tangira was also born out of the need to create entrepreneurship content that any Rwandan across the country can use as a point of reference while they go about building business in a language they can comprehend.
The journey
The contest’s call for submissions was launched on August 18 , 2025, calling in all startups across all sectors with legal registration and led by youths aged 18 to 35 years to submit a 90-second video pitch online. This attracted hundreds of submissions from across the country from key sectors including agriculture, health, tourism and hospitality, creative sector, tech and general business.
Following a competitive shortlisting process, 50 startups were selected to compete in the second phase. Their performance was evaluated through a rigorous process combining 80 per cent as the judges’ scores and 20 per cent from the public votes, resulting in the selection of the top 12 startups that will now advance to the mentorship stage and face the judges with their pitches.
Pierre-Celestin Rwabukumba, CEO of Rwanda Stock Exchange, which is one of the partners of Tangira, and one of the panel judges, said, "Submitting one’s idea to a platform like Tangira is already an act of bravery. Every startup founder deserves to be celebrated for daring to dream and innovate and create. The top 12 is proof that Rwanda’s startup ecosystem can be strong and can grow to create more jobs and wealth for the country and the economy at large and draw more investments.”
The top 12 startups will now embark on a six-week structured mentorship programme designed to refine their business models, strengthen strategies, and prepare them to face the panel of reputable judges as they battle for the category prizes the contest will offer.
Husna Umurerwa from 250 Startups Incubator informed the media that the project managed to secure the best mentors, and that this well-thought-through programme will take place at the UNDP timbuktoo HealthTech Hub from October 28 in Kigali, led by industry professionals, such as Phiona Ingabire (Social Community Impact Coach), Jean de Dieu Habaguhirwa (Marketing, Sales, and Talent Development Coach), and Tadhim Uwazeye (Business Operations and Management Coach).
The project attracted some of the most credible personalities that command respect, and their sense of judgement, coupled with their experience, makes them the best judges this maiden season. They include; Gael Karomba, commonly known as Coach Gael (CEO Kigali Universe), Charles Haba (CEO Century Real Estate Ltd), Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba (CEO Rwanda Stock Exchange), Lys Brenda Umulisa from ESP, and Alex Ntare (CEO Rwanda ICT Chamber) among others.
The programme will have six full episodes of the contest showcasing the mentorship exercise and the live pitches before the judges. Every week, two or one of the entrepreneurs will be eliminated. The sixth episode will be the grand finale, and the winners in categories will be awarded out of the top 12 startups. The categories are Best Women Led Enterprise, Most Promising Enterprise, Best Tech Enterprise, Best Social Impact Enterprise, and Youngest Entrepreneur of the Season.
The winners will be awarded cash prizes and also a chance to join more mentorship programmes from partners, and where applicable, get funding. The total cash award for the first season offered by Rwanda ICT Chamber is Rwf10 million.
Tangira provides a unique platform for young innovators to:
Gain professional business mentorship/coaching and industry exposure.
Build confidence and communication pitching skills for business.
Avail strategic connections to potential investors/ funders and the network ecosystem.
Avail countrywide visibility of their businesses through national media coverage.
Create local entrepreneurship content as a free public resource for job creators.
Charles Haba, CEO of Century Real Estate Ltd, applauded RG-Consult Inc., the organisers of the initiative, and extended his heartfelt appreciation to other panel judges, mentors, and sponsors who believed in this Rwandan initiative and have offered to make their contribution towards the growth of startups and business innovation in general.
Alex Ntare, CEO of ICT Chamber at PSF, also thanked the general public for their unwavering support throughout the competition. Over 10,000 votes came in over a period of two weeks in support of the entrepreneurs as they battled to the phase of the top 12.
Categories and awards
· Most Promising Business (Rwf2,500,000 + Internship Programme)
· Best Women Led Business (Rwf1,500,000 + Internship Programme)
· Youngest Entrepreneur (Rwf1,500,000 + Internship Programme)
· Best Digital Tech Business (Rwf1,500,000 + Internship Programme)
· Best Social Impact Business (Rwf1,500,000)
· Public Choice Business (Rwf1,500,000)
Top 12 entrepreneurs
· Jean Damascene Iradukunda - Afriinox Ltd (Kigali)
· Dieudonne Musabe - Musabe Consultancy Company Ltd (Kigali)
· Omer Niyigena - Eco-Crop Ltd (Huye)
· Joseph Collin Habimana - Logan Investment (Kigali)
· Thiery Patrick Ishimwe - Jordan Pharmacy (Kigali)
· Charles Zirimmwabagabo – One Health Connect (Kigali)
· Venuste Hategekimana - Vekaz Green Tech Ltd (Kigali)
· Herve Ishimwe - Mindtech Innovation Ltd (Kigali)
· Janviere Umuhirwa - Examina Group Ltd (Musanze)
· Aline Uwimpuhwe - Africa Wizzy Safaris Ltd (Rubazu)
· Carine Mutoniwase - Nerica Soap (Muhanga)
· Patrick Niyonkuru - Legacy Tech Hub (Kigali)