Help 7 social enterprises create value from waste

Introduction 

The Incubation Program continues to be a catalyst for transformative entrepreneurial innovation, empowering startups to address critical environmental challenges. This report outlines the significant progress and milestones achieved during the last quarter of 2024, underscoring the value of our initiatives, the program's tangible impact, and its potential for scaling. We also highlight key activities, including the conclusion of the mentorship program, pitch preparation efforts, and the successful execution of the Mini Demo Day and RUG @10 Summit.

Activities Undertaken

1. Mentorship Program:

 Building Stronger Businesses From September to November 2024, the mentorship program delivered personalized guidance to six participating startups, with four successfully completing the program. Mentors brought extensive expertise in business strategy, market dynamics, and financial planning, enabling entrepreneurs to refine their models and identify actionable growth strategies. Through the mentorship program:

• Participating startups demonstrated improved financial literacy and strategic planning capabilities, positioning them for market readiness and scalability.
• Entrepreneurs received tailored feedback that directly influenced their ability to develop viable, innovative, and sustainable solutions to pressing challenges.

2. Pitch Deck Preparation Workshop: 

Showcasing Potential to prepare startups for investor engagement, a comprehensive two-day pitch deck preparation workshop was held on December 13 and 14, 2024, facilitated by Abdul Kawiyu. The workshop provided participants with:

• In-depth insights into the essential components of compelling pitch decks.
• Hands-on training in crafting professional, visually appealing presentations that articulate the value proposition, scalability, and revenue potential of their businesses.
• Tools to enhance storytelling and narrative-building skills, ensuring entrepreneurs can communicate their vision effectively to stakeholders.

3. Pitch Practice Session:

 Refining the Delivery In anticipation of the Mini Demo Day, a pitch practice session was conducted on December 2, 2024, to help entrepreneurs perfect their presentations. Under the mentorship of Abdul Kawiyu and the Hub Manager:

• Participants practiced and refined their pitch delivery, focusing on clarity, confidence, and engagement.
• Guidance was provided on market size calculations, enabling startups to present accurate data and projections that resonate with potential investors.

4. Mini Demo Day: Fostering Investor Confidence The Mini Demo Day, held on December 3, 2024, at the Hub in Fumesua, served as a pivotal platform for showcasing the startups’ progress. Key highlights include:

• Each startup delivered a five-minute pitch, followed by a ten-minute Q&A session, to an esteemed panel of judges, including Douglas Asiedu and the Executive Director.
• Judges evaluated the pitches on creativity, feasibility, sustainability, and presentation skills, providing targeted feedback to help entrepreneurs strengthen their proposals.
• Entrepreneurs showcased innovative solutions with significant potential for market impact, aligning with investor expectations of scalability and return on investment.

5. RUG @10 Summit:

 Celebrating Impact and Building Networks The RUG @10 Summit, held in December 2024 at the ISSER Auditorium, Legon Campus, Accra, marked a decade of transformative entrepreneurship. This high-profile event attracted stakeholders, partners, and other key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Entrepreneurs presented their innovations to a large audience, highlighting their readiness to scale and demonstrating:

• The program’s measurable impact on fostering sustainable businesses.
• The potential of their solutions to attract partnerships, funding, and support for expansion.

Conclusion

 The last quarter of 2024 was transformative for our entrepreneurs, equipping them with critical skills, tools, and platforms to accelerate their ventures. The mentorship program enhanced strategic and operational capabilities, while the pitch preparation workshops ensured readiness for investor engagement. The Mini Demo Day and RUG @10 Summit further solidified the program’s position as a launchpad for sustainable, impactful businesses.

 We invite investors, partners, and stakeholders to join us in driving sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship. Your support whether through mentorship, funding, or partnerships can amplify the reach and impact of these startups. By aligning with us, you invest not just in businesses but in solutions that address pressing global challenges. Together, let’s create a future where innovation and sustainability thrive. Reach out to explore collaboration opportunities and be part of this transformative journey.