Outbox in a 2 year Partnership with Garage48

Outbox and Garage48 have entered into a 2 year partnership that will involve volunteers from Garage48 assisting out with regards to Outbox programs and strategy.

Garage48 is a 48 hour event with the goal of building technological products in just two days and nights.

The event is organised by the Garage48 foundation, launched in 2010 by six startup entrepreneurs who met thanks to the Estonian Startup Leaders Club.

Garage48 events provide an opportunity for people with different skills to pitch ideas, gather teams and build a working prototype during the weekend.

So far, 33 events have taken place in 12 countries, from South Africa to Finland, with 2,500 participants, more than 800 ideas pitched and nearly 400 prototypes built.

In 2011, Garage48 held it’s first event in Uganda supported by Google and MTN Uganda. 11 prototypes were built from that event of which one, Mafutago (an app to help motorists find the nearest fuel station with low prices) went on to become the 2nd runner-up during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Uganda’s startup scene is slowly growing, and we have decided to move the needle with Garage48 by having them contribute volunteers to assist in our programs some of which include the Women Passion Program, Outbox edu (educational platform for entrepreneurs) among others and assist Outbox in the area of strategy and business development which would include business modelling, fundraising, program development etc.

The two year project is funded by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign affairs.

As part of the project, we shall be holding a Garage48 hackathon later this year supported by the US Mission, which will contribute professionals sharing their motivations on how to motivate women in the technology sector.