Botswana Development Corporation (BDC), the government’s investment arm, will continue to provide the necessary environment for youth-owned businesses to thrive, as this will ultimately lead to strong economic growth. This is the message which came clearly from the group’s Managing Director, Cross Kgosidille, who was speaking at the recent award ceremony for this year’s Business Den 2.0, whose main objective is to foster entrepreneurial talent among the youth. “Supporting youth-led businesses can bring fresh perspectives, cutting-edge solutions, and a fearless approach to challenges." He further highlighted that this venture injects vitality into industries and drive economic growth, while inspiring their peers to reach for the stars. “We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success of the project that will emerge from the grant awards. Our nation's youth are the driving force of change, and through their endeavours, we are confident that they will contribute positively to our society and economy," said Kgosidiile. The Business Den 2.0 competition award, which comes with a whopping P500 000.00 was won by UniPay - a tech company that seeks to introduce cashless payments in public transport, promoted by Onalethata Tautona. The Business Den 2.0 received a total of 93 proposals which underwent an initial compliance screening and rigorous evaluation by an independent consultant. UniPay, the winning project, will be housed under the Business Den for eighteen months, nurtured through continuous monitoring, evaluation, and mentorship. This period of growth and maturation will pave the way for its ultimate graduation from the program. Proposals are welcome across sectors, including but not limited to Technology, Energy, manufacturing, services, tourism, and industry.
For her part, BDC’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Boitshwarelo Lebang-Kgetse stated that, "the Business Den is more than a competition; it is a symbol of hope for the next generation of visionary entrepreneurs. This initiative is also a true testament to the Corporation's unwavering commitment to sculpting dreams, moulding ambitions, and supercharging entrepreneurial success.," Lebang-Kgetse told the gathering that they received numerous proposals through the Business Den. “Their rich diversity is a significant sign of the creativity of our young people who are solution-oriented and commercially driven. Furthermore, the display of innovation is that it brings together two sides of a coin: offering solutions to help overcome current difficulties in our society, while at the same time creating new jobs and opportunities, through the activities that they will be generating,” she said. Meanwhile, the Business Den Chief Judge and Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Hellen Chilisa encouraged youth and other entrepreneurs to be deliberate about their participation in competitions. “The various innovative and interesting ideas showcased in growing sectors such as technology, manufacturing, energy, and services reaffirm my belief that such platforms as Business Den remain important to foster an environment that encourages innovation and growth," said Chilisa. As Botswana Government’s investment agency, BDC, is mandated to pursue commercially viable projects that are aligned to unlocking value in priority sectors, to contribute to a sustainable and diversified Botswana economy. The Business Den initiative intends to support the youth by cultivating entrepreneurship, providing an enabling environment and exploring opportunities for scalable businesses. Furthermore, this initiative is a reflection of BDC’s commitment to giving back to society, while cultivating entrepreneurial talent among the youth.
For her part, BDC’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Boitshwarelo Lebang-Kgetse stated that, "the Business Den is more than a competition; it is a symbol of hope for the next generation of visionary entrepreneurs. This initiative is also a true testament to the Corporation's unwavering commitment to sculpting dreams, moulding ambitions, and supercharging entrepreneurial success.," Lebang-Kgetse told the gathering that they received numerous proposals through the Business Den. “Their rich diversity is a significant sign of the creativity of our young people who are solution-oriented and commercially driven. Furthermore, the display of innovation is that it brings together two sides of a coin: offering solutions to help overcome current difficulties in our society, while at the same time creating new jobs and opportunities, through the activities that they will be generating,” she said. Meanwhile, the Business Den Chief Judge and Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Hellen Chilisa encouraged youth and other entrepreneurs to be deliberate about their participation in competitions. “The various innovative and interesting ideas showcased in growing sectors such as technology, manufacturing, energy, and services reaffirm my belief that such platforms as Business Den remain important to foster an environment that encourages innovation and growth," said Chilisa. As Botswana Government’s investment agency, BDC, is mandated to pursue commercially viable projects that are aligned to unlocking value in priority sectors, to contribute to a sustainable and diversified Botswana economy. The Business Den initiative intends to support the youth by cultivating entrepreneurship, providing an enabling environment and exploring opportunities for scalable businesses. Furthermore, this initiative is a reflection of BDC’s commitment to giving back to society, while cultivating entrepreneurial talent among the youth.
