IFE OGUNFUWA writes on some initiatives that people can participate in to advance their businesses and career
It is no longer adequate to do business in order to make money alone. Most businesses exist to solve social problems and they are being recognised globally for their impact.
The opportunities you have been looking for to grow your social business, launch a new business idea and advance your career are here. Take advantage of them.
Win up to N3m in Building Entrepreneurs Today contest
In order to boost interest in entrepreneurship, the Building Entrepreneurs Today, an initiative of Diamond Bank, is ready to build the capacity of start-ups through its business education initiative.
According to information on its website, the programme in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre, has trained thousands of entrepreneurs, contributing immensely to the pool of skilled Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise owners in Nigeria and ultimately, encouraging wealth creation across the populace.
It says about 50 budding entrepreneurs selected from different sectors of the economy will be engaged in a six-month intensive business training, after which the top five successful entrepreneurs are awarded a grant of N3m each.
“The top five entrepreneurs at the end of each season are awarded financial grants of N3,000,000 each as seed capital to take their business to the next level. Giving support to over 150 businesses and awarding grants to over 20 entrepreneurs, the BET has positioned itself as a forerunner in the MSME led initiative in Nigeria gaining both local and international recognition,” The BET said.
It explains that the theme of the programme which is in its 7th season, ‘Innovation and Social Impact’, adding that it is open to entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in all sectors.
Whether you’re a start-up, a business man/woman, a student or just an individual with a distinctive and innovative idea, B.E.T is the platform you need to hone your entrepreneurial skills and drive your business/idea to its peak.
The organisers call on applicants to create a 60-second video with clear audio about their business using a video camera or a phone and upload the pitch video.
Aspen Institute’s New Voices Fellowship
Aspen Institute is seeking development experts from developing countries to benefit from its one-year media skills, communication and leadership programme called the New Voices Fellowship.
Information its website says that candidates are expected to have proven record of professional achievement and a desire to share their views on global development with a broader international audience.
The fellowship, which is open by nomination only, will require participants to write opinion pieces, participate in interviews, and speak at international conferences.
“While the fellowship is non-resident and not full-time, it does require a significant and sustained time commitment as fellows write opinion articles, participate in interviews with local and international media, and speak at international conferences. All expenses related to the fellowship are paid, including certain media-related travel costs,” the organiser says.
It adds, “Please note, this is not a fellowship for journalists or others trained and working in communications. Ask someone to nominate you. This person could be a mentor, supervisor or professor. We ask that this person knows you and your work well.”
The organiser explains that each nomination will be reviewed and shortlisted applicants will be contacted to submit an application that involves two essays and a series of questions.
Afterwards, the applications will be reviewed by the New Voices team, and the group of finalists will participate in an interview via Skype or phone, and subsequently, the final class of Fellows will be selected.
Union Bank’s Start-up Connect
The Union Bank is set to help start-ups in the technology sector to expand their operations as part of its Start-up Connect initiative.
The initiative, sponsored by Union Bank and executed by Co-Creation Hub Nigeria, is dedicated to matching technology-enabled start-ups all over Nigeria with the Union Bank brand for mutually-beneficial collaboration.
The bank says, “Start-up Connect is an opportunity for Nigerian companies creating the next generation technology solutions for the African market to partner with Union Bank to aid their rapid growth.
“Through Start-up Connect, creative talents and smart businesses can access the bank’s 350 sales/service centres and over 3.7 million customers across Nigeria to scale their solutions.”
It says the ideas should be innovative, technologically-driven idea and address critical social and business challenges in the country.
According to the organiser, the start-ups should have gained traction in the number of customers/users, turnover or geographical spread.
It explains that the programme will be delivered through a three-staged approach, adding that in the first stage, shortlisted start-ups will be invited to a pitch event.
At the develop or accelerate stage, the bank says selected start-ups will work with Co-creation HUB and the bank’s members of staff over a period of 13 weeks, to create a usable proof-of-concept prototype that serves a segment of the bank’s customers or clients.
It adds, “At the end of the 13 week period, the results will be presented to the appropriate business units of the bank for deployment. Both parties will decide to either share revenue or explore equity investment.”
Entries will close on September 1, 2017, the organiser says.
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