World Bank Group Innovation Bridge Portal for Entrepreneurs In Southern Africa 2022

The Innovation Bridge Portal, in partnership with the World Bank Group, Department of Science & Innovation, Department of Small Business Development and Thinkroom is offering 100 Entrepreneurs in each of the 5 SACU countries (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia & South Africa) an opportunity to enhance their business development through a digital incubation program, Thinkubate. This Innovation Bridge Startup Community initiative will be a hybrid digital and in-person program targeting underserved entrepreneurs who normally will not have access to such world-class opportunities that are tailored to their specific needs.

This Innovation Bridge Startup Community initiative will be a hybrid digital and in-person program targeting underserved entrepreneurs who normally will not have access to such world-class opportunities that are tailored to their specific needs.

FULL DESCRIPTION

The digital incubation program, Thinkubate powered by Thinkroom is an Incubator|Accelerator-as-a-Platform (IAaaP) that covers various components of starting and growing a business, including life stage assessments, an online learner management system, tools and templates. It will benefit entrepreneurs who are at various life stages of their entrepreneurial journey (from ideation to post minimum viable product/service, revenue-generating and growth). The objective of this IBP 500 program is to provide bespoke solutions to help with a young entrepreneur’s business development. Those that graduate from the program will be provided mentorship and coaching support for market access and investment readiness and will be provided opportunities to be connected to both private and public investors

About World Bank

With 189 member countries, staff from more than 170 countries, and offices in over 130 locations, the World Bank Group is a unique global partnership: five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries. Together, IBRD and IDA form the World Bank, which provides financing, policy advice, and technical assistance to governments of developing countries. IDA focuses on the world�s poorest countries, while IBRD assists middle-income and creditworthy poorer countries. While our five institutions have their own country m...... read more

Innovation Bridge Portal

Aim and Benefits of Innovation Bridge Portal

The objective of this IBP 500 program is to provide bespoke solutions to help with a young entrepreneur’s business development. Those that graduate from the program will be provided mentorship and coaching support for market access and investment readiness and will be provided opportunities to be connected to both private and public investors.

Requirements for Innovation Bridge Portal Qualification

Young entrepreneurs in different business stages from any of the 5 SACU countries below.

Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia & South Africa

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit the website.