Are you a young tech innovator interested in scaling up your solution? Apply for the Africa Impact Challenge
Are you a young tech innovator interested in scaling up your solution? Apply for the Africa Impact Challenge
Africa Impact Initiative, a Canada-based organization committed to supporting young innovators, invites applicants for their Africa Impact Challenge. The goal of the Challenge is to enable young tech innovators from Africa to build market-creating innovations that tackle their country’s challenges with technology.
Successful participants will be offered the capital of up to RWF 20,486,915, resources, and a paid incubation period at the University of Toronto to build viable solutions. Interested participants should have comprehensive tech-enabled solutions that address an identified problem/challenge in their respective countries. Preference will be given to scalable, innovative business models with solutions that target non-consumption by increasing adoption, accessibility, or affordability.
Interested participants must fulfill the following to apply
- Be African under 39 years of age living in the countries of the given year’s Challenge
- Have a desire to pursue impact-focused entrepreneurship as a means of livelihood
- Have a desire to solve critical problems with technology
- Have full-time commitment from the team building the ventures
- Stream 1: Ventures based in Rwanda from any sector
- Stream 2: Ventures based across Africa that enable positive health outcomes
To apply for this Challenge, visit: Submit Application
Meet three incredible women entrepreneurs as we celebrate women this March.
Meet three incredible women entrepreneurs as we celebrate women this March.
This March, join us as we reflect on and celebrate the vital role women play in our communities and the tremendous contribution they make to our economy. The SME Response Clinic spoke to three women entrepreneurs to understand what women’s month means to them s, what motivated them to start their own businesses, and get their advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs.
Here is what they had to say!
Featured:
Marie Josee Umutesi
Co-founder, CTO Larna Limited
Contact: +250 783 450 169
Aline Uwase
Founder of HappyNes
Contact: +250 784 069 067
Irene Masezerano
Co-founder Vertable Limited
Contact: +250 787 755 717
Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs this March with the SME Response Clinic – Insights from Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders
Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs this March with the SME Response Clinic – Insights from Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders
As we continue to celebrate March, the women’s history month, the SME Response Clinic is pleased to share with you a recap of some of the highlights from our engagements with women entrepreneurs and leaders in Rwanda over the past two years. Women entrepreneurs play a vital role in developing Rwanda’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and make a tremendous contribution to the nation’s economy. Join us in celebrating women entrepreneurs this month and throughout the year!
Here are some of the highlights:
Webinar on “Practical Solutions for Improving the Wellbeing of Women Entrepreneurs”
On 8 December 2021, the SME Response Clinic, in partnership with Geruka Healing Center, held a webinar featuring women entrepreneurs at the Kigali Public Library as part of the Building Back Healthier series. The webinar’s objective was to inform, inspire and share knowledge and skills that businesswomen can use to better their wellbeing as they deal with their day-to-day business activities while managing other responsibilities. The webinar featured a mental health expert, Adelite Mukamana and two businesswomen, Scovia Umutoni and Amina Umuhoza.
Interview with Her Excellency Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, former Deputy Governor of National Bank of Rwanda and current Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission
In July 2020, the SME Response Clinic interviewed Her Excellency Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa to understand the barriers women face in accessing information to help them better manage their businesses. During the interview, H.E. Dr. Monique emphasized the importance of not just making information available online but also mobilizing women to access that knowledge with a personal touch.
Watch the video to learn more
Learn about AMI’s Business Survival Bootcamp from Justine Ntaganda, owner of La Cornicle Hotel Rubavu and Nyabihu
Justine Ntanganda, a businesswoman who co-owns La Cornicle Hotel operating in Rubavu and Nyabihu districts, attended a Business Survival Bootcamp training organized by the SME Response Clinic in partnership with the African Management Institute. Ms. Ntanganda shared with the SME Response Clinic more about what she learned.
Watch the video to learn more
To learn more about AMI training offers in Rwanda, visit: Africa Management Institute
Celebrating Women's Entrepreneurship in Rwanda
Celebrating Women’s Entrepreneurship in Rwanda
Women entrepreneurs represent the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurs globally, and Rwanda is no exception. According to the 2020 FinScope Gender Report, women lead about 52% of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Rwanda (or about 420,0000 businesses). Through these businesses, women entrepreneurs are significant contributors to GDP growth and create jobs critical to people’s livelihoods in their communities and the country at large.
At the SME Response Clinic, we value women entrepreneurs’ role in Rwanda’s economic and social development. Since our launch in May 2020, we have developed content, hosted webinars, and conducted targeted marketing activities to better reach women entrepreneurs and support them in business growth despite tough times.
This month, we will focus our efforts on celebrating the role played by women entrepreneurs in developing the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Rwanda. We will highlight some of the exceptional women entrepreneurs we have encountered so you can learn from their experiences or maybe find a new business to try out!
Join us this month as we celebrate – and reach out to us to share the name of a women-led business you know and love at musa.kacheche@consumercentrix.ch!
Kwishimira ibikorwa bya ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore mu Rwanda
Ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore bagize igice kinini cya ba rwiyemezamirimo kizamuka vuba ku isi hose, kandi no mu Rwanda ni ko bimeze. Nk’uko bikubiye muri Raporo ya FinScope Gender 2020, abagore bayobora 52% by’ibigo by’ubucuruzi bito cyane, ibito n’ibiciriritse (MSME) mu Rwanda (cyangwa ibigo by’ubucuruzi byenda kugera kuri 420.0000). Binyuze muri ibi bikorwa by’ubucuruzi, ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore bagira uruhare runini mu izamuka ry’umusaruro mbumbe w’igihugu bagahanga n’imirimo ifite akamaro gakomeye mu mibereho y’abaturanyi babo no mu gihugu muri rusange.
Muri SME Response Clinic, duha agaciro gakomeye uruhare ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore bagira mu iterambere ry’ubukungu n’iry’imibereho myiza mu Rwanda. Kuva twatangira muri Gicurasi 2020, twagiye dutegura ubutumwa, twakira ibiganiro twifashishije ikoranabuhanga, kandi dukora ibikorwa by’iyamamaza bigambiriwe bigamije kugera neza kuri ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore no kubafasha guteza imbere ubucuruzi bwabo n’ubwo byari mu bihe bikomeye.
Muri uku kwezi, tuzibanda ku bikorwa byo kwishimira uruhare ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore bagira mu guteza imbere urwego rwa ba rwiyemezamirimo mu Rwanda. Tuzibanda cyane kuri bamwe muri ba rwiyemezamirimo b’abagore badasanzwe twahuye nabo ku buryo mwabigiraho cyangwa mukaba mwabona ubundi bwoko bw’ubucuruzi mwagerageza!
Ngwino hamwe natwe muri uku kwezi ubwo tuzaba turi mu byishimo – Dusange kuri aderesi musa.kacheche@consumercentrix.ch maze utubwire ikigo cy’ubucuruzi kiyobowe n’umugore uzi kandi ukunda!
Are you an African startup interested in taking your company to the next level? Apply for the SBC Virtual Accelerator Program
Are you an African startup interested in taking your company to the next level? Apply for the SBC Virtual Accelerator Program
Startupbootcamp Afritech (SBC) invites African startups for a virtual acceleration program powered by Enrich in Africa, a project funded by the European Commission. The aim of the program is to encourage and facilitate the mobility of startup entrepreneurs from African or European countries. The program promotes skills development and transfer and the globalization of innovative solutions. Ten successful applicants will benefit from virtual acceleration sessions with lifetime access to the Accelerator Squared Platform to learn from dozens of modules.
Interested applicants must fulfil the following to apply for the program:
- Company must be at least 2 years old
- Turnover of at least $15,000 in 2021
- At least 2 employees and/or co-founders
- Headquarters based in an African/European country
To apply for the program, visit SBC Virtual Accelerator Application
Apply for the Survive to Thrive Programme
Are you a member of KCB Bank Rwanda Biashara Club or a client of Bank Populaire Rwanda? Apply for the Survive to Thrive Programme
KCB Bank Rwanda, in partnership with ConsumerCentriX and the African Management Institute, invite their SME clients to participate in an exciting 4-month entrepreneurial journey with online courses, virtual learning labs, and practical tools.
The Survive to Thrive Programme will allow an entrepreneur and one (1) senior staff from their business the opportunity to learn how to set SMART growth goals and implement new business habits and tools to support business growth. Upon completing the programme, participants will have access to AMI’s Growth Network, an exclusive community of ambitious African entrepreneurs who have successfully graduated from AMI programmes. Participants will gain access to premium services such as AMI’s Finance Link for funding opportunities, mentoring and coaching networks, exclusive networking events, and continued access to AMI’s world-class business tools, courses, and resources.
Apply here: https://bit.ly/AMI-CCX-Entrepreneurship
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur? Apply for the year-long MEST Africa entrepreneurial training program to build your skills!
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur? Apply for the year-long MEST Africa entrepreneurial training program to build your skills!
The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology offers 12-month graduate level training to aspiring entrepreneurs from Africa. MEST is an African-wide tech entrepreneur training program, seed fund and network of hubs offering incubation for tech startups in Africa. The MEST program is a fully sponsored opportunity.
Through MEST, successful applicants will receive tech and entrepreneurship skills training and gain experiences to build globally successful tech companies. Additionally, participants of the program will stand a chance to access funding, business incubation and access to a global network of tech entrepreneurs.
Interested applicants must fulfil the following to be eligible to enrol:
- Have a degree from a university or technical college or equivalent experience with at least 2 years of corporate and startup experience
- Have excellent skills in either communications, business or software development, enthusiasm for tech entrepreneurship and knowledge of how to use tech to achieve business results
- Demonstrate a willingness to commit to a complete residential program for a whole year
- Be a disciplined self-starter that can work and deliver assignments and projects
- Have the ability to work well in teams with proven academic or professional excellence
- Demonstrate leadership abilities
Interested applicants should apply before 20th April 2022.
To apply, visit MEST Application
Are you an early-stage entrepreneur looking to scale up your business? Apply for the ALX Young Entrepreneurs Programme before 28 February 2022
Are you an early-stage entrepreneur looking to scale up your business? Apply for the ALX Young Entrepreneurs Programme before 28 February 2022
ALX, a career accelerator for young professionals under the African Leadership Group, seeks to support African entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses through the ALX Young Entrepreneurs Programme (YEP). YEP is a four-week programme sponsored by Mastercard Foundation and partners. Successful applicants will benefit from mentorship and skills transfer from expert entrepreneurs. The programme is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs who have demonstrated commitment to building their enterprises but require tools and accountability to scale up and increase their customer base.
Participants will go through key five programme modules, including:
- Launch: Set the goals and learn best practices to launch a successful plan.
- Traction: Experiment with different strategies to attract prospective customers.
- Sales Skills: Get the frameworks and practice to close customers and generate revenue.
- Show & Sell: Wrap up your programme in a demo day-styled event where you can present your progress.
Interested applicants must fulfil the following programme requirements to apply
- Be a founder or co-founder of a business in Africa
- Be ready to commit to 4 weeks, 10 hours/week
- Be between 18-35 years of age
- Have a product or service ready to go to market within a month
- Have proficiency in English.
Upon completing the programme, participants will be invited to join The ROOM community, where they will access a global network of resources and support to grow their business.
To apply, visit: YEP Application
Apply for the Business Professionals Network Entrepreneurship Development Program before 28 February 2022
Apply for the Business Professionals Network Entrepreneurship Development Program before 28 February 2022
Business Professionals Network (BPN), a Swiss non-profit organization with operations in Rwanda, seeks applicants for the Entrepreneurship Development Program. The annual program seeks 30 entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses. Successful applicants will be offered skills in business administration, leadership, time and financial management, and marketing. Additionally, participants will have access to executive coaching, advanced hands-on training, access to finance and an opportunity to network and work with fellow entrepreneurs through the Business Owners Association.
Entrepreneurs interested in joining the BPN’s entrepreneurship development program must fulfil the following criteria:
- Have a legally registered business operating for a minimum of 2 years (RDB certificate to be attached to the application)
- Have a minimum of 4 permanent staff (including the business owner)
- Have a Rwandan nationality
- Be between the ages of 18 and 50 years old
- Seek to create sustainable and impactful business
- Have a business that provides added value to its products/services
- Be motivated to expand the business
- Have the ability to pay a subsidized program contribution fee
To apply for this program, visit BPN Entrepreneurship Development Program
Are you a startup with a tech solution? Apply for the Oracle for Startups program
Are you a startup with a tech solution? Apply for the Oracle for Startups program
Oracle, a multinational cloud computing company, seeks to support African tech startups to drive business growth across different industries through the Oracle for Startups program. African tech startups will benefit from USD 10,000 of cloud credits to improve the essential tasks of their early operations, such as running a simulation and creating a rendering. Additionally, selected participants will receive hands-on technical support, executive mentoring, access to go-to-market resources, and new customer engagements.
Interested applicants must fulfil the following to qualify for the program:
- Have a registered startup business in Africa
- Have been founded within the last ten years and have a functioning website or public profile and LinkedIn profile
- Be associated with one or more of the following: accelerators, seed/ventures capital firms, and startup enabling organizations/initiatives
- The following are not eligible for the Oracle for Startups program:
- Previous graduates of Oracle for Startups program
- Public companies
- Oracle customers (including their subsidiaries)
- Oracle partner network members
The Oracle for Startups is a two-year program after the enrollment date. To apply for this program, visit: