Wanted: African entrepreneurs for SIBC bootcamp in France

The Social & Inclusive Business Camp (SIBC) has begun searching for its sixth cohort of African entrepreneurs. Leaders of developing, high-impact companies on the continent have until 26 June 2022 to apply for a spot on the programme.

In the last six years, the SIBC has become the unmissable event for high-impact African entrepreneurs and will soon be supporting the next generation of project leaders in scaling up their businesses.

Since its inception in 2017, the SIBC has helped nearly 240 entrepreneurs grow through a programme that combines innovative training and networking with other entrepreneurs, mentors and potential investors.

Supported by the FDA campus, the programme vows to boost the growth of high-impact African companies. It is implemented by a consortium of international partners, including I&P Conseil, African Management Institute, ScaleChanger and StartupBRICS.

According to a media release, it has been tailor-made for promoters of ambitious African companies to scale up and lead social and/or inclusive innovations in order to come up with solutions to address shortcomings in society.

These companies’ impact can stem from either their product or service as well as the inclusiveness of their organisation and their value chain (such as suppliers, production, and distribution), specially to benefit vulnerable populations like women, disabled people and refugees.

SIBC bootcamp in France

The SIBC provides its participants with a wide-ranging programme to strengthen their skills by focusing on four main areas: leadership development and team composition; scaling up; investment readiness and impact measurement.

These areas are managed in different approaches with a three-month online training course and individual mentoring from previous participants.

Also, a one-week intensive bootcamp in Marseille, France is presented in partnership with the EMERGING Valley Summit, an event dedicated to emerging innovations between Europe and Africa. At the bootcamp, participants will take a closer look at pressing issues and gain insight from high-level experts and investors.

“The SIBC provided me with training, business management coaching and an unlimited network of people … with whom I could build relationships and partnerships,” remarked Founfonsi Mathe Allah, founder and manager of African Food Nutrition in Burkina Faso.

The SIBC brings together a large network of stakeholders for its participants in addition to the capacity building it provides to entrepreneurs about the main aspects of scaling up.

Since 2017, nearly 240 entrepreneurs have participated in the programme. Every year, this dynamic community of alumni shows its commitment to the newer generations of SIBC entrepreneurs through a personalised mentoring program and collective sessions.

“The SIBC helped me meet entrepreneurs from around the continent from different business sectors and countries who have issues similar to my own,” said Enki Barache, chief executive of Tigoun in Madagascar.

A network of over 80 investors and experts work alongside the programme’s participants.

To apply for the 2022 edition, click on the link for the dedicated platform.

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