Young entrepreneurs are invited to participate in the program by applying through the Kickstart online portalhttps://bit.ly/2023kickstartapplicationwhich opened on Monday, June 26, 2023.
The brainchild of the International Breweries Foundation (IBF), the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of IBPLC, Kickstart Initiative has been instrumental in empowering numerous budding entrepreneurs through training, mentoring, and the award of grants to fuel their businesses. This impactful program has been running successfully for the past seven years.
The initiative primarily focuses on fostering enterprise growth among young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35. International Breweries Foundation has joined forces with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan Atlantic University to train 400 youths across various business sectors, equip them with essential skills, and enhance their leadership capabilities.
After the application phase, successful applicants will proceed to the pitch fest segment, where a panel of judges will assess the submitted proposals and select the final winners. The winners of the pitch fest will be awarded grants during a prestigious awards ceremony to be held in Lagos.
Temitope Oguntokun, the Legal and Corporate Affairs Director of International Breweries Plc, shared exciting insights about the initiative, stating, “Kickstart is a transformative social investment initiative aimed at empowering entrepreneurs in key sectors such as Agriculture, Retailing, Circular Packaging (Recycling), Technology, and Renewable Energy. Successful applicants will receive comprehensive mentorship and training from experienced entrepreneurs during a two-day boot camp, equipping them with essential skills to excel in the entrepreneurial realm. It’s a remarkable three-in-one opportunity for applicants.”
She said, “This initiative not only promotes entrepreneurship but also contributes to Nigerian employment figures, fostering economic growth and empowering individuals to create sustainable businesses in vital sectors of the economy.”
Kickstart exemplifies International Breweries Plc’s commitment to realizing its vision of ‘Creating a Future with More Cheers.’ What began as an entrepreneurship development program has now evolved into a nationally acclaimed initiative, gaining widespread acceptance across Nigeria.
Now it its 8th year, Kickstart is marked by an impressive total investment sum exceeding NGN620 million. Since its inception, Kickstart has made a significant impact by providing comprehensive support to young entrepreneurs through training, mentoring, and seed capital ranging from 250,000 to N3 million each.
With a track record of empowering 375 direct young entrepreneurs and benefiting an additional 1,700 individuals indirectly, Kickstart continues to play a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and sustainable development. Furthermore, the initiative has successfully generated over 500 job opportunities, contributing to the overall prosperity of local communities.
Looking ahead to 2023, Kickstart envisions even greater achievements. By projecting the creation of 4,872 new jobs, the initiative is committed to enabling a greater number of individuals to achieve financial independence. These forthcoming opportunities will lay the foundation for a more inclusive and prosperous society, where aspiring entrepreneurs can flourish and contribute to the Nigeria’s economic progress.
