Center for Law and Innovation

🚀Starup Residency Program Testimonials🚀 We are thrilled to share this testimonial video featuring some of the incredible founders from Loopa, Fixa, Ambucycle and MediXR we have had the privilege of supporting through our Startup empowerment program. Their journeys showcase how access to legal services has helped them overcome certain challenges, seize opportunities and scale their ventures. At Certa Foundation, we take pride in contributing to the success of startups by providing tailored legal guidance that enables innovation and growth. Each story is a testament to the resilience of these startups and how their achievements are paving the way for a stronger, more sustainable future. Tune in to hear their incredible stories and discover how these ventures are driving innovation and shaping Rwanda’s future, one startup at a time. #StartupSuccess #Empowerment #Innovation #LegalSupport #StartupGrowth #Resilience #SustainableFuture #CertaFoundation #RwandaInnovation #StartupJourney #BusinessGrowth #LegalGuidance #TransformingLives

🚀Celebrating the Second Cohort of Our Startup Residency Incubator✨ On 13th, December 2024, with a mix of emotion and pride, we bid farewell to the second cohort of startups from our Startup Residency Incubator. Watching these incredible founders grow over the past months has been truly inspiring. Through our pro bono legal services, we have not only supported them in navigating legal challenges but also equipped them with key documentation, including contracts and governance frameworks, resources designed to help them formalize business and governance decisions, empowering them to make informed choices, build sustainable businesses and thrive in competitive markets. As they take the next steps in their journeys, we are confident they are leaving better prepared to create lasting impact. Loopa, Igafri, EXTRA TECHNOLOGIES, Rethread Africa, MediXR, Right Lamp Shine Group Ltd, IREBE BIOTECH Ltd, Innovahyper Technologies #Startups #Innovation #BuildingTheFuture #Entrepreneurship #StartupSuccess #EmpoweringFounders #SustainableBusiness #LegalSupport #BusinessGrowth #StartupJourney

🚀 Re-Introducing the Startup Tools The Startup Tools are here to help you formalize your business transactions and structures, ensuring investor confidence and long-term success. 🔑 Why it matters: As shared during the tech cafe, formalizing business operations is vital for building trust and creating sustainable growth. These tools are your go-to resource for future-proofing your business across Africa. 📌 Check it out here: startuptools.org/rw A huge thank you to our partners, Norrsken East Africa and StartupTools for collaborating on this initiative and empowering entrepreneurs in Rwanda. #StartupToos #CertaFoundation #Startups

🚨Deadline Extension Alert!🚨 We are excited to announce that the application deadline for the Startup Bluebook Program has been extended! This is your chance to apply for an opportunity to receive free legal services. If selected, you will gain access to expert guidance on corporate governance, preparing for investment and navigating legal challenges tailored to your startup’s needs. 📅 New Deadline: January 13th, 2025 🔗 Apply Now: https://lnkd.in/dH9g-7ba Don’t miss this shot to potentially secure a spot in the program and scale your startup with the right legal foundation! #StartupBluebook #LegalSupport #TechStartups #Entrepreneurship #Innovation

Last week, Doreen Umulisa, Project Lead at the Center for Law and Innovation at Certa Foundation, represented us at the 5th Edition of the All Africa IP Summit held from 28th to 30th November. This year’s theme, “Intellectual Property Rights: The Catalyst for Sustainable Development Goals in Africa,” set the stage for transformative discussions about leveraging IP for Africa's growth. How IP Can Drive Industrial Growth and Support SMEs: Doreen emphasized the critical role of strong IP frameworks in empowering SMEs to innovate, protect their ideas and scale their businesses. She highlighted the need to simplify IP processes for small businesses, making it easier for them to protect their intellectual property and attract investment. She stressed the importance of cultivating a culture of IP protection from an early stage. By educating young entrepreneurs about the benefits of registering their businesses and protecting their ideas as it empowers them to build sustainable and scalable ventures. Advancing Agriculture and Food Security Through IP: She emphasized the transformative potential of Geographical Indications and innovative technologies in agriculture. She highlighted how protecting GIs preserves the unique identity of local products, boosting their market value while empowering rural communities. Additionally, Doreen underscored the critical role of IP in driving mass food production through accessible technologies. By making agricultural machinery publicly available and affordable, more farmers can adopt advanced practices, enhancing productivity and food security across the continent. This approach not only sustains agricultural innovation but ensures inclusive growth, where the benefits of IP extend to all, from small-scale farmers to larger agribusinesses. Her contributions to these discussions highlights Certa Foundation's commitment to leveraging Intellectual Property as a tool for social and economic development in Africa. #IntellectualProperty #IPRights #SustainableDevelopment #AfricaGrowth

💭Reflecting on an Inspiring DPOs Hangout in Kigali Relive the energy and insights from the DPOs Hangout 2024! Hosted at Digital Transformation Center Rwanda, the event brought together professionals and thought leaders to discuss the future of data protection in Rwanda. We had fun bantering, games, fascinating discussions, and more. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible partners Certa Foundation, African Law & Tech Network, Tech Hive Advisory and Digital Transformation Center Rwanda for making this event a success. We are also deeply grateful to all the attendees who shared their time, expertise, and passion for advancing data protection. Here’s a glimpse of the key moments, conversations, and connections that made it unforgettable. 🎥✨ #DPOsHangout2024 #DataProtection #DigitalTransformation

On November 27, 2024, Certa Foundation in partnership with Norrsken East Africa, hosted the inaugural edition of the Tech Café, a new quarterly event bringing together startup founders and key ecosystem stakeholders. The forum aims to address ecosystem challenges, explore innovative solutions, and spotlight relevant topics shaping the startup landscape. The first edition marked a significant milestone with the official launch of Startup Tools, a toolkit featuring templates for essential business documents such as Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Articles of Association, and Employment and Consulting Contracts. Designed to support startups in formalizing their business structures and transactions, the toolkit is available for download at startuptools.org/rw. Isobel Acquah, Executive Director of Certa Foundation, and Raymond Nnenowu engaged in a fireside chat discussing the “Trends shaping Africa’s startup ecosystem”. Their discussion underscored the importance of consistency in foundational actions and the courage to push boundaries and build confidence in investors and themselves. Raymond further urged entrepreneurs to stay grounded, focusing on solving real-world problems rather than chasing fleeting trends. He encouraged founders to document and share their challenges, fostering collective knowledge and potentially unlocking solutions or funding opportunities through collaboration. A panel discussion, moderated by Arnold Kabatsi, Program Associate at Certa Foundation, featured Doreen Umulisa, Project Lead of the Startup Bluebook Residency Program at Certa Foundation, and Abraham Augustine, Communications and Project Lead at Norrsken East Africa. The panel highlighted the critical role of formalizing business transactions and structures in building investor confidence and ensuring long-term sustainability. They emphasized how Startup Tools could act as a pivotal resource for future-proofing businesses across Africa. #StartupTools #TechCafé #StartupSolutions #TechStartups #CertaFoundation #CLI #NorrskenEA

📢 Reminder: DPOs Hangout is tomorrow 🚀 Are you ready, Kigali? 🌍 The DPOs Hangout is just hours away, and you don’t want to miss it! 💬 Why You Should Be There: 🔹Network with top Data Protection Officers and privacy enthusiasts. 🔸Dive into the latest trends in data protection and privacy. 🔹Share experiences and insights in a fun, laid-back atmosphere. 🗓️ Date: Tomorrow, November 29th, 2024 🕦 3 PM - 6 PM CAT 📍 Digital Transformation Center, Kigali Register now to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/dyDGe9BU With successful events in Lagos and Abuja, we’re bringing this vibrant gathering to Kigali, powered by Certa Foundation, Tech Hive Advisory, African Law & Tech Network, and GIZ Rwanda. Don’t be the one hearing about it later. Let’s connect. Let’s grow. Let’s shape the future of data protection together. #DPOsHangout #PrivacyMatters #DataProtection #NetworkingEvent

🚀 Today’s the day! Join us for the first edition of the Tech Café in collaboration with Norrsken East Africa Join us for an evening celebrating entrepreneurship, and the official launch of the Startup Tools; a toolkit of template contracts and agreements designed to formalize your business structure and transactions. 🕦 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 📍 Norrsken House Kigali 👉 Register now: https: https://lnkd.in/dyc6JfXY #TechCafeLaunch #StartupTools #InnovationInAfrica

🎯Empowering the Next Generation of Negotiators On 25th November, 2024, the Center for Law and Innovation hosted The Art of Negotiation: Training the Next Generation of Lawyers, a transformative two-day workshop bringing together 30+ law students from universities across Rwanda. This interactive training equipped participants with essential negotiation skills through a blend of theory, strategy, and hands-on simulations. Students honed their abilities in communication, problem-solving, and real-world negotiation techniques, preparing them to excel in today’s dynamic legal landscape. Ridwan Oloyede, Director of the Center for Law and Innovation, highlighted the critical role of negotiation and ADR in shaping adaptable and future-ready legal professionals, urging participants to embrace these skills to address modern legal challenges effectively. A special thanks to the 1st Edition National Negotiation Competition winners for their invaluable support, and to the universities and students whose enthusiastic participation enriched the training experience. We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming Internal Negotiation Competition, where students will compete for a chance to represent their schools at the 2nd Edition of the National Negotiation Competition. Stay tuned for more updates! Ministry of Justice, The Republic of Rwanda, KIAC Rwanda, Rwanda Bar Association #LegalEducation #NegotiationSkills #FutureLawyers #Rwanda