Student-led companies concepts awarded 80m/- Day by day Information

Dar es Salaam:  THE YouthIgnite Student Founders Fellowship has introduced 20 student-led companies as winners, awarding over 80 million Tanzania shillings in a contest concluded on Saturday in Dar es Salaam.

These younger entrepreneurs, representing 10 Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) throughout the nation, demonstrated distinctive creativity and innovation turning into winners in that competitors which concerned 30 student- led companies.

Shakila Mshana, Director and Co-Founder of StartHub Africa Tanzania mentioned StartHub collaborated with UNDP Funguo Innovation Programme and Westerwelle Foundation Tanzania on the implementation of the YouthIgnite Student Founders Fellowship, a transformative initiative that empowers younger scholar innovators and entrepreneurs throughout the nation.

Shakila mentioned StartHub Africa Tanzania’s focus is to nurture the following technology of changemakers, and that the YouthIgnite Student Founders Fellowship aligns completely with their mission to catalyze progress and affect amongst college college students and early-stage startups.

“Over the years, we have built a good track record of working with university students to turn their ideas into impactful ventures. Through our tailored programs like Startup 101 and catalyzer, we have witnessed firsthand the incredible potential within young minds when they are equipped with the right tools, mentorship, and resources. These experiences have enabled us to develop a unique, practical approach to supporting early-stage startups that ensures they are not only innovative but also scalable and sustainable,” she added.

Throughout the programme, individuals attended workshops, coaching classes, and networking occasions that guided them in growing, refining, and scaling their concepts and companies into sustainable, impactful ventures.

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Joseph Manirakiza, Programme Manager of UNDP Funguo Innovation Programme says that Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) in Tanzania are vibrant sources of modern enterprise concepts, nurtured by each college students and college.

“Strengthening the innovation and student entrepreneurship support system at Tanzanian Higher Learning Institutions will go a long way in producing more graduate job creators instead of job seekers with limited job prospects ahead of them out of the University gates,” mentioned Manirakiza.

He added the initiative  is one in every of many UNDP Tanzania’s interventions to drive sustainable growth via modern approaches additionally supported by the UK Government and European Union.

To complement the success, Isaack Shayo, Country Director of Westerwelle Foundation Tanzania inspired the coed entrepreneurs, notably those that are taking part within the programme and all different entrepreneurs throughout the nation to not be afraid attempting and competing.

“Together with StartHub Africa Tanzania and UNDP Funguo we are aiming to make the environment at universities more supportive so that we can have more university innovators build successful business,” says Shayo.

20 winners later acquired funding and ongoing help to assist scale their companies, together with knowledgeable recommendation.

Scolla Jonathan, a scholar from Tengeru Institute of neighborhood Development and the founding father of Skyverse options mentioned of the 1,000 plus rivals, she was fortunate to be chosen among the many 30 college students who

“I am grateful for the opportunity because it turned out very positive. Throughout the programme, I managed to acquire skills and prompts for business growth. And I am pretty sure in the next five months all our businesses will have made big steps,” she mentioned.

The closing week featured an intensive Bootcamp in Dar es Salaam, the place the 30 college students collaborated carefully with mentors, coaches and trade specialists the place individuals have been provided a possibility to current their companies to potential traders, companions, and prospects.

Beyond supporting particular person founders, #YouthIgnite strengthens university-based innovation ecosystems by offering expertise growth and publicity for college hub managers in an effort to construct stronger entrepreneurship hubs at universities.

Dr Irene Isibika, Mzumbe University’s innovation coordinator mentioned that her establishment was dedicated in nurturing expertise and fostering a tradition of innovation.

“This YouthIgnite programme fitted perfectly in this mission. We are grateful to the Funguo program of UNDP, Starthub Africa Tanzania, and Westerwell Foundation for this incredible opportunity, and we look forward to seeing the ideas evolve into impactful solutions,” mentioned Dr Irene.

The YouthIgnite Student Founders Fellowship gives a dynamic combine of monetary and capacity-building help to younger entrepreneurs in growing an ecosystem the place innovation begins with youth and thrives with the significant collaboration of all gamers.

The Fellowship is designed to encourage college students in HLIs throughout Tanzania to view entrepreneurship as a viable profession choice.