Over 100 entrepreneurs from the South East region have received a significant boost in their entrepreneurial journey, gaining skills, capital, knowledge, and capacity to transform their businesses and achieve global competitiveness. The entrepreneurs, selected from Abia, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi states, participated in a four-week intensive Bootcamp organized by 234Finance in collaboration with Voice of the East.
Launched in 2013 by Mrs. Ezinne Nwazulu, 234Finance is a digital ecosystem promoting African entrepreneurship, bridging the gap between investors and investment opportunities in Africa’s emerging market. The platform focuses on capacity building, mentorship, and access to finance to propel the growth of Africa’s entrepreneurship.
At the Bootcamp’s closing ceremony held at Amadeo Event Place in Enugu State, Mrs. Ezinne Nwazulu, Managing Partner of 234Finance, expressed her excitement about the participants’ transformation. “We have surpassed our goal as we witness the birth of future leaders, innovators, and change-makers,” she remarked, highlighting the participants’ remarkable dedication and perseverance throughout the program.
The entrepreneurs underwent training in 13 courses designed to boost their capacity and enable informed business decisions. The Bootcamp aimed to equip them with the tools and insights necessary for their businesses to thrive and compete globally. Mrs. Nwazulu emphasized the importance of the friendships and networks built during the Bootcamp, which would be invaluable resources for the participants’ future entrepreneurial pursuits.
Keynote Speaker Dr. Chima Anyaso, CEO of CAADES Group, delivered an address titled “Building a Collaborative Ecosystem for South East Progress.” He called for more business collaborations to reposition the South East economically, stressing the need for addressing security issues and promoting transparent governance.
The event also featured a pitching competition and a panel discussion on “Driving Sustainable Growth and Innovation in the South East.” Panelists discussed the challenges facing businesses in the region and urged SME operators to treat their businesses as separate entities, change their mindset, and develop a seed mentality rather than a harvest mentality. They emphasized the importance of collaboration and finding the right partners for business growth.
Highpoints of the event included the presentation of certificates to successful participants and the announcement of winners of the pitching competition. Jelapetra Farms Ltd., an agro company in Anambra State, won the competition, while Astrae, a concrete block industry also in Anambra State, was the 1st Runner Up, and Kavita Foods, a food processing and packaging company in Umuahia, Abia State, was the 2nd Runner Up. Winners received dummy cheques, with the 2nd runner-up receiving one million naira, the 1st runner-up one million five hundred thousand naira, and the winner two million naira.
Participants praised the organizers for the initiative, stating that the knowledge and capacity built during the Bootcamp would help their businesses scale up and boost the regional economy of the South East.
