Turn Your Ideas Into Business
Sign up for UPG Biashara and learn how to kick start your business and also fine-tune potential business ideas with the goal of making the world a better place.
This UPG initiative is supporting entrepreneurs and all those looking to create impact through business.
The Next UPG Biashara Cycle Opens Soon!
Applications Open — Class of 2027
Applications opening date to be announced soon. Stay tuned!
Applications Deadline — Class of 2027
Application deadline to be announced. Watch this space!
ABOUT
UPG Biashara
UPG Biashara is an initiative that supports entrepreneurs in their journey to turn ideas into businesses. This includes growing and strengthening existing enterprises. Biashara is a Kiswahili word for “business” and it emphasizes the fact that with this initiative UPG is supporting entrepreneurs and all those looking to create impact through business.
Biashara UPG Biashara Upcoming Event
Join us as we celebrate the incredible achievements of the UPG Biashara Class of 2026. The Commencement Ceremony marks the official completion of the Learning Journey and the beginning of the Action Journey for UPG Biashara Entrepreneurs.
WATCH BIASHARA COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY LIVE! The ceremony is broadcast live here from 4pm CEST on Friday, 29 May 2025. Before we go live, please watch these video highlights.
Thank you!
Congratulations to The Class of 2026!
The #UPGBiashara Learning Journey is complete for the Class of 2026, and the numbers are impactful.
Thank you to everyone who made this possible — from visionary partners and
collaborators to an inspiring Class of #UPGBiashara Entrepreneurs.
1,750+ UPG Biashara Entrepreneurs trained across all cycles.
Entrepreneurs from 80+ countries and territories across all world regions.
Over 200 mini-training sessions were delivered throughout the program. 5 intensive Learning Journeys completed.
Ongoing support for entrepreneurs with the Action Journey.
Over USD 350,000 in grants disbursed to support entrepreneurs.
UPG Biashara
Experience Amazing Learning Journey
6 weeks of intense learning on several topics such as;
1. Financial Management
2. Managing Your Board
3. Customer Relations
4. Funding
5. Pitch your Business
6. Marketing
7. How Businesses Die
and lots more, taught by experienced instructors from all over the world.
UPG Biashara
Entrepreneurship Grant
#UPG Biashara Commencement Ceremony 2026
29 May 2026 · 4PM CEST
The event will feature:
- Guest speakers
- Entrepreneur spotlight stories
- Recognition awards
- Community celebration
- Networking opportunities
- Inspirational reflections from participants and instructors
This celebration represents the resilience, creativity, and commitment of young entrepreneurs building solutions for their communities.
#Diamonds Do Good Entrepreneurship Grants — Shark Tank Week
Date & Time — To Be Confirmed
Selected entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses before a Jury during the a Shark Tank week
This activity is designed to identify promising entrepreneurs with scalable ideas, strong leadership potential, and community impact. Successful Candidates win up USD 20,000 to support their businesses or business ideas
Participants will:
- Present their business or business ideas
- Receive feedback from The jury
- Compete for grant opportunities
The process reflects UPG Biashara’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs beyond training.
Guest Speakers
UPG Biashara Recurring Events
UPG Biashara events are opportunities to interact with individuals and organisations that care about entrepreneurship. We meet entrepreneurs and people who are passionate about supporting entrepreneurs. Depending on the event, we may also meet Applicants and Candidates to join future classes of UPG Biashara. Finally, at these events we also interact with current and future partners and collaborators. Please join us – and encourage others who may be interested to do the same
#UPGBiashara Random Walk
A Random Walk on Entrepreneurship sessions are for you to join other experienced panelists as they speak about their experiences and challenges on their entrepreneurial journey and interact with them; helping you gain a different outlook on certain things or reinforce what you already know!
#UPGBiashara Information Session
Join the UPG Biashara Information Session. To learn about how the programme will help you gain more knowledge on entrepreneurship or refine potential business idea.
Meet the Entrepreneurs of the UPG Biashara Class of 2026
- The UPG Biashara Class of 2026 brings together passionate entrepreneurs from different African countries, industries, and backgrounds all united by a shared vision of creating impact through entrepreneurship.
- Throughout the Learning Journey, these entrepreneurs demonstrated resilience, innovation, creativity, collaboration, and leadership.
APPLICATION GUIDE
Congratulations!!!
You are step 1 ahead. Please follow steps 2 to 5 as a guide to becoming a UPG Biashara Applicant.
Learn More From
Frequently Asked Questions
UPG Biashara is an initiative that supports entrepreneurs in their journey to turn ideas into businesses. This includes growing and strengthening existing enterprises.
You can apply by clicking this link: upglive.org/UPGBiashara and filling the application form where you will be asked some questions about yourself and you business.
Yes, to make your application much stronger.
* Anyone who is 18 and above.
* Applicants from all region across the globe.
* Applicants who have business ideas.
* Applicants who have established business or businesses.
* Applicants who do not have a business or a business idea but have strong motivation to becoming an entrepreneur.
* Entrepreneurship skills from world class instructors across the globe.
* Network and support from a global community of entrepreneurs.
* Grant prizes support for your business growth ranging from USD 5000 to USD 20000.
* Mentorships from experts in the different business industry.
We expect that all applicants should understand English. As English is the primary language we use in delivering our course structure.
The application/training is FREE. The payment is not compulsory. If you would like to contribute to the good causes UPG carry out through her diverse initiatives like the UPG Biashara and the UPG Sustainability, you are free to make payment.
No, you wouldn’t. As long as you have a business or a business idea and you show strong motivation in your application.
While the program is free, making a voluntary donation to support the program can increase your chances of being selected.
