Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (15 March 2023)
The Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MinT) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are shaking things up with their latest initiative to boost the country’s economy. The Next Innovation With Japan (NINJA) Acceleration Program is set to support innovative startups and their potential to solve sectorial problems using emerging technologies.
Following the program’s launch in 2022, nearly 100 Ethiopian startups submitted applications to compete in a multi-stage, multi-month acceleration competition. Six startups were ultimately selected to participate in the program, with the potential to drive sectors such as agriculture, tourism, logistics, and digitalization and ICT.
The NINJA Acceleration Program, in collaboration with implementing partner Renew Capital, will provide the selected startups with a four-month intensive training program, coaching and mentorship, and a disbursement of ETB 500K. The startups will also receive a trip to Japan for further training and networking.
The program will officially kick off on April 7, 2023, with a panel discussion by key stakeholders and final business pitches from the selected startups. The Kickoff Conference will also provide a platform for the startups to be widely publicized to local and international stakeholders, including enabling bodies, entrepreneurial support organizations, capital providers, and potential customers.
Source: Renew Capital
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