iRise Hub management participated in a week-long Innovation Support Organizations Bootcamp organized by Growth Africa in Nairobi from 20th to 4th November 2023. The program’s primary objective was to facilitate interaction and knowledge sharing among ISOs across Africa, enabling them to refine their strategies and vision. The sessions, led by international experts, were both flexible and productive.

A vital program component involved a far-side chat session, where participants engaged with Investors and Fund Managers to explore the challenges and opportunities African entrepreneurs face. The discussions aimed at fostering collaboration between investors and ISOs to address challenges, bridge gaps, and highlight opportunities. Additionally, two site visits to prominent Nairobi-based Accelerators/ISOs, namely Antler and GearBox, provided valuable insights into their operations. The program concluded with participants presenting their strategies and action points for implementation upon their return to their respective institutions

In our Academy for Women Entrepreneurship, we’ve been busy diving into the art of creating impactful business plans, fostering innovation, and igniting the flame of aspirations. Our focus has been on empowering women with the tools to translate their business dreams into reality. Through interactive sessions and practical guidance, we’ve cultivated a supportive environment for honing entrepreneurial skills and nurturing innovation. We’re excited to witness the growth and success of the inspiring ventures that are taking shape within our community. Stay tuned for more updates on the remarkable journeys unfolding in our Academy for Women Entrepreneurship.

We are thrilled to have participated in the recent event organized by the US Embassy in Mogadishu, spotlighting the commendable progress of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurship (AWE) program. This initiative, with its dedicated focus on empowering and investing in Somali women with early-stage business ideas, stands as a beacon of economic empowerment.

The event provided valuable insights into the program’s milestones, highlighting its transformative impact on the entrepreneurial landscape for women in Somalia. We eagerly anticipate the continued success of the AWE program and the positive changes it brings to the forefront of women’s entrepreneurship.

The second cohort of the EILO project, funded by FCA, has successfully completed a comprehensive training program focused on full-stack development. Over the course of six months, the participants have gained the necessary skills to succeed in the job market, particularly in the area of mobile and web application development.

In addition to the full-stack developer bootcamp, the cohort has also undertaken courses in Freelancing, Multimedia, and Entrepreneurship. These additional courses provide valuable knowledge and skills that can enhance their career prospects and enable them to explore various professional avenues.

By completing the full-stack developer bootcamp, the participants are equipped with a broad understanding of both front-end and back-end development. They have learned how to create interactive and functional websites and applications, utilizing technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and various frameworks and libraries. This comprehensive skill set prepares them to take on diverse development projects and contribute effectively to the software development industry.

On November 27th and 28th, iRise Hub hosted the Business Sales Pitch for the BIC Somali Cohort #1 project. During these two days, 20 businesses presented their ideas to a jury comprising four members from diverse stakeholders: the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Federal Government of Somalia, UNIDO Somalia, Independent Business Expert, and iRise Hub. Each business, led by male and female entrepreneurs, had approximately 30 minutes to showcase their ideas and respond to queries from the jury regarding their presentations. The businesses were exclusively focused on agro-businesses, the creative industry, and climate change, aligning with the project’s specific emphasis on these three sectors.

Initially, were 23 businesses at the onset of a 3-month-long incubation program, where they acquired essential business development skills. Subsequently, 21 businesses advanced to the next phase, involving one month of individualized business counseling sessions. Eventually, the 20 firms successfully navigated through all phases, culminating in presenting their business ideas during the pitch sessions.