Call for Startups: Apply to join the second cohort of the UNICEF Startup Lab
December 23, 2020Ho Node To Host Volta Regional Startup Bill Stakeholder Workshop
February 12, 2021Ho Node Hub trained thirty (30) entrepreneurs in the Hohoe Municipality under the Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) program of National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI). The one-week training program started from February 1 to February 5, 2021, at the Municipal Conference Room.
The trainees consist of tertiary and vocational graduates, small business owners and some selected individuals with innovative business ideas. Mr Xorse Senanu, Innovation Associate and Mr Asase Courage, Managing Director, facilitated the training program.
Mr. Xorse Senanu facilitating business planning module
The Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) programme is one of the three intervention programme designed by the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) in partnership with MasterCard Foundation (MCF) under MasterCard’s Young African Works programme in Ghana.
The ICE programme’s objective is to equip 25,000 unemployed youth to start and run successful business ventures. It aims at graduates from tertiary, vocational institutions and some selected school dropouts with innovative ideas.
The ICE programme was implemented in three phases;
The Bootcamp, Incubation and Prototyping.
The Bootcamp phase focused on Business Ideation. Eighty-six (86) participants were introduced to the basic concepts of entrepreneurship, leadership and generating of business ideas. It was a two-day program, where the participants pitched to a panel of three judges on the second day to get selected for the second phase of the programme. The criteria for selection included: Customer Segmentation, Business Innovation, Unique Selling Proposition, Problem Solving Abilities, Profitability and the Passion and Experience of the Entrepreneurs.
The Incubation Phase
The second phase focused on Business Model Development. This phase equipped participants with the skills and knowledge to develop viable and realistic business models for the ideas. The participants were introduced to the use of the Lean Business Model Canvas and Pitch Canvas. They spent a day on the field, interacting with stakeholders, potential customers to validate their business models. The participants pitched to a panel of three judges for selection into the final phase of the programme. The criteria for selection included: Model Canvas, Technology Use, Market Validation, Finance, Product Service and Marketing.
The Prototype phase
The final phase of the ICE program concluded on February 5, 2021. It focused on Business Plan Implementation. The shortlisted entrepreneurs were introduced to modules such as Development, E-commerce and Business Communication, Kaizen, Financial Management, Business Formalization and Launching.
The ICE programme would continue with mentoring and coaching sessions. The participants would be paired with coaches and mentors to support them bring their products or services to market.
The trainees consist of tertiary and vocational graduates, small business owners and some selected individuals with innovative business ideas. Mr Xorse Senanu, Innovation Associate and Mr Asase Courage, Managing Director, facilitated the training program.
Mr. Xorse Senanu facilitating business planning moduleThe Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) programme is one of the three intervention programme designed by the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) in partnership with MasterCard Foundation (MCF) under MasterCard’s Young African Works programme in Ghana.
The ICE programme’s objective is to equip 25,000 unemployed youth to start and run successful business ventures. It aims at graduates from tertiary, vocational institutions and some selected school dropouts with innovative ideas.
The ICE programme was implemented in three phases;
The Bootcamp, Incubation and Prototyping.
The Bootcamp phase focused on Business Ideation. Eighty-six (86) participants were introduced to the basic concepts of entrepreneurship, leadership and generating of business ideas. It was a two-day program, where the participants pitched to a panel of three judges on the second day to get selected for the second phase of the programme. The criteria for selection included: Customer Segmentation, Business Innovation, Unique Selling Proposition, Problem Solving Abilities, Profitability and the Passion and Experience of the Entrepreneurs.
The Incubation Phase
The second phase focused on Business Model Development. This phase equipped participants with the skills and knowledge to develop viable and realistic business models for the ideas. The participants were introduced to the use of the Lean Business Model Canvas and Pitch Canvas. They spent a day on the field, interacting with stakeholders, potential customers to validate their business models. The participants pitched to a panel of three judges for selection into the final phase of the programme. The criteria for selection included: Model Canvas, Technology Use, Market Validation, Finance, Product Service and Marketing.
The Prototype phase
The final phase of the ICE program concluded on February 5, 2021. It focused on Business Plan Implementation. The shortlisted entrepreneurs were introduced to modules such as Development, E-commerce and Business Communication, Kaizen, Financial Management, Business Formalization and Launching.
The ICE programme would continue with mentoring and coaching sessions. The participants would be paired with coaches and mentors to support them bring their products or services to market.
