GCIC to train 19 young entrepreneurs
Ashesi University’s Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC) has organized an orientation for 19 entrepreneurs who make up Cohort six of its business incubator programme.
The new cohort also marks a new phase for GCIC with Global Affairs Canada as funders.
The entrepreneurs who have been selected for the nine-month-long incubation programme are SMEs whose work and innovations are either aimed at climate change mitigation and adaptation or SMEs exploring the adoption of more climate-smart and sustainable models in their operations.
As part of the orientation, the Executive Director of GCIC, Ms Ruka Sanusi, took the entrepreneurs through an overview of the strategic implementation pillars of the Centre’s work, while also sharing results from the previous business incubation of five cohorts.
“GCIC has an established track record of success. Since June 2017, we have incubated a total of 101 businesses across Ghana – 31 of these are women-owned or women-led enterprises.
“Between June 2017 and 2020, we have supported entrepreneurs with US$2.06m, created 733 new jobs, raised additional early and growth stage financing in excess of USD2m, and sequestered CO2 emissions of 14,500MT,” she stated.
She said GCIC’s robust business incubation program and interventions support entrepreneurs to develop and or enhance the needed mindset, skillset and toolset to go the long-haul with their climate innovation by better understanding the factors that determine long-term business success and performance.
Nurturing business plan
As has been done with previous cohorts, GCIC provided and presented each entrepreneur with an asparagus fern potted plant.
Aligned and parallel to the process of nurturing their green business, entrepreneurs are encouraged to intentionally nurture the gifted plant as a daily reminder of the dedication they will also need to demonstrate in for growing their businesses during and after the business incubation period.
During her presentation at the Orientation, Entrepreneurship Consultant, Ms Leticia Browne announced the partnership between GCIC and Coursera, the U.S.-based open online course provider founded in 2012 by Stanford University professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller.
The partnership will allow GCIC entrepreneurs and their teams to access a range of selected Coursera certified courses.
“We have carefully curated a catalogue of courses that you will be able to complete throughout the incubation period on Coursera,” she said.
Product development
Partnerships, Entrepreneurship, and Investment Director at GCIC, Mr Dramani Bukari, also took the young entrepreneurs through GCIC’s Technical and Product Development workstream and articulated how entrepreneurs could improve upon their products and innovation to meet global standards.
“We will provide the support that contributes to improving technologies and products, stimulating climate risk mitigation and management practices, and advancing the growth of climate-resilient businesses like yours.
“There is a specific process by which you can apply for and receive a grant. And we will require you to submit evidence of efficient and effective utilization of the disbursed funds”, he explained.