Innovate Ventures

A recap of the MDC networking session in Kigali, Rwanda. October, 2023

It was our pleasure to participate in a networking session in Kigali, Rwanda, organized by VC4A.

The evening fireside chat was hosted by the Mentorship and Academy Lead at VC4A, Barbara Onyejose, and the panelists Muna Ahmed Omer, Country and Programs Lead at Innovate Ventures (IV), Damilola Akinloye Oluwadamilola A, Programs Lead at She Leads Africa, and Ahmed Bastawy, MD & Founder, Icealex.

The panelists discussed the impact the MDC program has made so far. The Mentor Driven Capital program (MDC) was developed as capacity-building training that aims to equip professionals and experienced business owners with the knowledge and skills to become effective mentors to up-and-coming business owners. MDC has been implemented in Egypt, Nigeria, and Somaliland.

Read the full article of the event from here: https://vc4a.com/blog/2023/10/25/mentor-driven-capital-fireside-chat-demonstrating-impact-in-africa/

We are at AfriLabs annual gathering in Kigali, Rwanda. On a fireside chat, we are joined by other venture leaders to discuss the impact of the Mentor Driven Capital Program by VC4A.

We are partnering with VC4A in delivering a Mentor Driven Capital Training for mentors in Somaliland.

This training will help aspiring mentors to receive expert guidance and hands-on expert sessions on mentorship.

Congratulations to all our Women Business Accelerator 2023 winners!

Thanks to our esteemed donors and guests.

"I want to thank Innovate ventures, their partners and everyone that supported 2023 women’s business accelerator program of we are all here tonight for their commencement".

Mr. Mohamed Somali
General Director,
Ministry of investment & Industrial.

"I want to congratulate the winners of the Women’s business accelerator, everyone is a winner but there’s one advice that I want to share with you all; be patient and have courage".

Adnan Muse
E-kalkaal
IV Alumni

"I encouraged you to continue your efforts and have a patience in order to succeed a business".

Deka H. Abdi
Heartbeat Health Center
IV Alumni

"Each one of you presented impressive business ideas and we wished that everyone could get awarded for their wonderful work, but due to limited budget we had to select a few of you".

Mr. Ismael Meecaad
Jury

"Everyone who contested is officially a winner! I want to congratulate you all for having the courage to complete the trainings and compete to succeed your startups.
Dr. Jama to the winners: “you may have convinced 4 Jury members but the real work starts from tonight, you have to work hard to convince the 4 million population in Somaliland".

Dr. Jama Muse Jama
Director of Hargeysa Cultural Center

"Innovate venture is among the leading ventures in Somaliland that trained, mentored and supported both women and men to succeed in their startups. Khadar encourages the participants to continue building their capacities - specially the business incubation opportunities in East Africa".

Khadar Idle
Save the Children

"Telesom Group foundation is the only local foundation that invested the Women business accelerator. We are proud to partner with Innovate Ventures to support and equip women with both capacity building and financial support for their startups".

Abdiwahab Maah
CEO, Telesom Group Foundation

"There is a huge need to invest this women-only business accelerator; that meets to empower business startups led by Women".

Muna Ahmed Omar
Country Programme Manager
Innovate Ventures

Demo Day of 2023 (Women Business Accelerator) is a wrap!

Ahlam’s legal firm aims to bridge counseling gap in Somaliland through Lataash.

Ifrah’s grocery wants to change grocery market of Somaliland through hygiene and health improvement.

Rahma’s business is aiming to digitalize Somaliland’s dental sector.

Amina founded Algazala to train women teachers and facilitators in Borama.

Khadra is innovating body creams made from whipped butters and olive oils.

Hani’s Saxarla Designs wants to revive Somali culture through artistic designs.

Samira’s women clothing factory aims to produce affordable Women Clothes.

Arish wishes to establish Somaliland’s first Tomato Paste Factory.

Umalkhayr’s Quality solution medical center wants to improve the quality of medicines.

Hoodo’s Smart Plus company wants to develop marketing strategies for businesses .

Najaah suggesting to create save environment for children through training women only bus drivers for kindergarten children.

Farah wants to reduce the dependency of ceremonial flowers and gifts from outside.

As an already existing Day Care: the first of its kind in Somaliland, Zaira Day Care takes care of the children by the working mothers.

This startup is all about promoting local food products: specifically unions.