S’East Entrepreneurs Receive Boost, As 234Finance Concludes SME Bootcamp 

The entrepreneurs who were selected across the five South Eastern states of Abia, Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi respectively, were put through an intensive four weeks Bootcamp organized by the 234Finance in collaboration with the Voice of the East,to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools and capital to achieve rapid growth and global competitiveness.

Recall that the 234Finance.com which is a digital ecosystem that promotes African entrepreneurship, was launched in 2013, by Mrs Ezinne Nwazulu, to bridge the gap between investors and investment opportunities in Africa’s emerging market,as well,provide the tools for entrepreneurs to make informed business decisions required to transform their businesses from striving to thriving.

The platform is focused on capacity building, mentorship and access to finance to propel growth of Africa’s entrepreneurship.

Delivering her address at the closing ceremony of the Bootcamp, held at Amadeo Event Place, Enugu State, the Managing Partner, 234Finance, Mrs Ezinne Nwazulu, expressed excitement that the four weeks journey of learning,growth and remarkable achievements, officially came to a close with the participants thoroughly transformed to fit into the evolving market.

According to her, 234Finance focuses on the building of capacities of SMEs, who contribute 48% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employ about 84% of the workforce.

She disclosed that for the past six years, 234Finance has been supporting entrepreneurs in other parts of Nigeria, through their annual Mentorship events, business workshops,webinars and disbursed over a hundred thousand dollars in grants and consulting services, but decided to drive the vision back home,so as to transform the economic trajectory of the South East and nation at large.

“Last month, we embarked on this adventure with the vision to equip entrepreneurs in the South East region, with knowledge and tools for growth. The participants went through a four week intensive training and were taken through 13 courses to boost their capacity and to make informed business decisions, required to transform their businesses.

“I look at everyone of you and I say,we have surpassed our goal,as we witness the birth of future leaders, innovators and change makers. Throughout the Bootcamp, we saw incredible transformation. We began with diverse group of individuals across the region with unique backgrounds and aspirations who came together, collaborated, shared ideas and supported one another.

“The friendship and networks you have built here will be an invaluable resource, as you move forward in your entrepreneurial pursuit”.

She commended the participants for showing remarkable dedication and perseverance and as well, for embracing challenges, crossing boundaries and continuously sorting to improve themselves,adding that the exposure and knowledge gathered during the Bootcamp is a testament of hardwork, pointing that the tools and insights gained would serve as a strong foundation in their future endeavors.

Mrs Nwazulu, however, congratulated those shortlisted for the pitching competition, stressing that the competition would give their brand the needed visibility and attracting potential opportunities from their league of investors and financiers.

She encouraged the participants  to carry forward the spirit of curiosity and continuous learning and stay open and adaptable to new opportunities, which is key to success.

“The lessons learnt have prepared you to navigate the complexities of uncertainties of the future with confidence.Do not be afraid to take risk or to innovate and challenge the status quo”,she said.

Meanwhile, she appreciated the facilitators for their guidance, which according to her, has been instrumental in shielding success of the Bootcamp, impacting and inspiring the participants to reach their goal potentials.

She, however, thanked their partners for the unwavering support and believing in the potential of each participant.”Your collective efforts and dedication will propel this great region forward, unlocking growth and opportunities.

The Keynote Speaker, Dr Chima Anyaso, CEO CAADES Group, in his address titled, “Building a Collaborative Ecosystem for South East Progress”, called for more business collaborations, if the South East region must be repositioned economically.

According to him, the region is rich in culture and human capital, but stated that the potentials can only be harnessed to create a thriving and unique ecosystem that fosters progress for all, if the security situation is addressed and the leaders run a transparent and accountable government.

Recounting on some of the challenges impeding economic progress in the region,Dr Anyaso noted that insecurity, lack of partnership/collaboration, education/skill development and infrastructure/technology, have continued to work against the growth of the S’East.

He added that building a collaborative ecosystem for the South East, requires the concerted effort of all stakeholders, political leaders among others, coming together and  sharing resources,fostering an inclusive and innovative environment.

The Keynote Speaker further advised that concrete steps be taken towards realizing the collective goals of the region, building a South East that is not only a beacon of progress but also, a model for sustainable and inclusive development.

The event also featured Pitching competition and a Panel Discussion on the topic, “Driving Sustainable Growth and Innovation in the South East”,where the panelists dealt extensively on the challenges confronting businesses in the South East and urged SME operators to treat their businesses as a separate entity, change their mindset, bridge the gap of knowledge and also develop a seed mentality and not a harvest mentality.

They equally admonished entrepreneurs to kill the culture of individualism and find the right people to partner with, as collaboration and relationship are key to business growth.

Highpoints of the event,were the presentation of certificates to successful participants and the announcement of winners of the pitching competition, with Jelapetra Farms Ltd, an agro company in Anambra State, winning the competition, while Astrae,a concrete block industry in Anambra State, emerged as the 1st Runner Up and Kavita Foods, a food processing and packaging company in Umuahia, Abia State, announced as the 2nd Runner Up.

Dummy cheques were presented to the winners with the 2nd runner up,going home with the sum of  one million naira, while the 1st runner went with one million, five hundred thousand naira and the winner, went home with two million naira.

A cross section of Participants who spoke with us, commended the organizers for the thoughtful initiative to reposition the South East, stating that the knowledge and capacity built during the Bootcamp would help their businesses scale up,thereby boosting the regional economy of the S’East.