BIH stimulates female entreprenership

Winners of the FemBioBiz – Female in Bio-technology Businesses Programme Competition will get an opportunity to compete in the SA Innovation Summit start-up competition in Cape Town for a trip to Silicon Valley where they will stand a chance to win $1 million. The four, Bame Rammala and Kamogelo Mmereki brains behind Antimicrobial Toilet Seat, Tlotlo Phuduhudu of Healthy Delights, Tuduetso Tebape of Nubian Seed and Bonolo Monthe of Maungo Craft, were selected from 10 finalists from the 47 applications across Botswana. FemBioBiz, a programme by the Southern Africa Network for Biosciences (SANBio) exist in eight SADC countries; Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Innovation and Technology Director at BIH, Dr Budzanani Tacheba said the 2018 FemBioBiz Awards recognises women entrepreneurs who have developed or initiated innovations and inventions; women entrepreneurs who are growth oriented; women entrepreneurs who have early or mature innovations and have demonstrated social impact and; women postgraduate students who have viable innovative and entrepreneurial projects or initiatives. According to Dr Tacheba, the awards were a culmination of tailor-made acceleration programme with a series of boot-camps, workshops and coaching sessions for finalists to assist them to scale up their business ventures and increase their value as leaders and role models in the community. BIH serves as a strategic partner for the implementation of the FemBioBiz Season Two Acceleration Programme Competition. Dr Tacheba further added that in addition to being hosted by the BIH Entrepreneurship Programme, winners would have access to the Hub’s three stages of Pre-incubation, Incubation and Acceleration. “There are opportunities to proceed to further participate at a global start-up festival called SLUSH in Helsinki, Finland in November 2018.”The FemBioBiz programme also creates a platform for women to network and access regional and international markets, obtain business development skills and access financing. Since inception, the Programme has received over 600 applications from 10 SADC member states and trained over 200 women with businesses that address the health and nutrition challenges of the SADC region. Partners Bame Rrammala and Kamogelo Mmereki are excited about the opportunity to meet potential investors and a chance to network with other women in bio businesses. The duo, Biological Science and Bio Technology students at BUIST are developing antimicrobial toilet seats that will prevent contamination of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites on toilet seats. Tlotlo Phuduhudu of Health Delights is grateful for the opportunity to represent Botswana at the Cape Town regional competition.“This is a great opportunity to raise awareness about our company and what we do,” she said. Healthy Delights produce animal feeds, and other animal products. BIH’s Brand and Communications Manager, Kemiso Ben said, “By recognising the FemBioBiz winners, BIH remains committed to supporting women entrepreneurs leading Bio technology innovations that are financially sustainable and socially responsible. FemBioBiz competition continues to contribute to the local and regional economy, by seeking out courageous female entrepreneurs who continuously innovate sustainable solutions for present and future generations.”