09/09/2026
BEFORE THE FIRST HARVEST: Building an Aeroponics Venture in Rwanda
What does it really take to build an agritech venture - before you grow your first crop?
At the 7th Urban Agri World Summit 2026, Kenny Rubaduka, Founder of Upgrow Rwanda, will share the real journey of building an aeroponic vertical farming venture in Kigali.
His session, “Before the First Harvest: Building an Aeroponics Venture in Rwanda,” goes beyond technology and crops to explore the foundations that entrepreneurs need to build before the first seed is planted.
Drawing on his experience developing Upgrow Rwanda, Kenny will share practical lessons on:
• Building government alignment and institutional support
• Validating real buyer demand before production begins
• Securing buyer commitments - even before having a product sample
• Building a committed team around an early-stage venture
• Designing pilots that allow start-ups to test, learn and fail cheaply
• Why credibility can be one of an agritech start-up's most valuable assets
A particularly fascinating part of the story? A self-funded start-up that secured engagement with Rwanda's agricultural ecosystem and obtained 12 buyer letters of intent before launching production.
Because sometimes the most important work in agriculture happens before the first harvest.
This is a practical session for agripreneurs, start-ups, investors, financiers, policymakers and anyone interested in building Africa's next generation of agricultural ventures.
Join us in Ballito, KZN this November at UAW 2026!
[email protected]
Enterprise iLembe KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development KZN Agriculture MEC Madlopha-Mthethwa South African Sugarcane Research Institute African Association of Agricultural Economists Association for Vertical Farming KZN Tourism & Film - Visit KZN
