About 700 small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) have participated in the first edition of the Ibadan SME Bootcamp.
The Ibadan SME bootcamp is a fall out of the Lagos SME Bootcamp Initiative.
Participants who attended the Ibadan event included student entrepreneurs and MSMEs from multiple sectors in Oyo State and its environs.
“We could not believe our eyes when we saw the turn up of Ibadan entrepreneurs, this is the biggest event we’ve ever hosted,” said Ayo Bankole Akintujoye, convener of the Ibadan SME Bootcamp.
The bootcamp had an array of speakers from both the public and private sectors including Hon. Akin Alabi, Founder of Nairabet and author of the bestselling books, Small Business, Big money and How to Sell to Nigerians who gave business nuggets to the participants.
Seun Fakorede, a former Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Oyo State spoke on how MSMEs can leverage opportunities that are available in Oyo State.
Pamilerin Adegoke, a digital brand influencer taught on how to leverage digital content to engage customers and grow business.
Tolulope Olorundero, founder, Mosron Communications & #NGRwomeninPR told participants about effective and affordable branding tools and techniques for MSMEs.
Others who spoke were Gbenga Totoyi, Group Head, HR, CHI Plc, who spoke on how MSMEs can effectively manage people for greater efficiency; Temitope Runsewe, MD/CEO, Dutum Group who gave insights on how to build and leverage networks to grow your business; and Dr Adeolu Dele, founder & CEO, Sprinte Media, who spoke on his business story from his University of Ibadan days and lessons for young entrepreneurs.
Edememe Oladiji-Wusu, Senior Manager, Tax Advisory Services, KPMG gave a detailed presentation on how SMEs can effectively manage their accounts and taxes; and Ayo Bankole Akintujoye taught participants on effective business planning tips for SMEs.
The bootcamp ended with a business pitch competition where eight shortlisted candidates who met the pre-qualification criteria were each allotted five minutes to pitch their business ideas to a panel of business experts. Three of the pre-qualified eight emerged as the winners of the business pitch competition.
The winners are first place: TJL Signatures who won N120,000.
Second place was Safebelle Foods who won N80,000 and third place was Limta Farms winning N50,000
Feedback about the bootcamp has been good with numerous participants sharing their experiences and learnings on social media. The organisers have announced that they will be hosting the fourth Lagos SME Bootcamp in November.
The Lagos SME Bootcamp initiative is an annual networking event that aims to empower young budding entrepreneurs in Nigeria by inviting business/industry experts and thought leaders to speak on how MSMEs can develop capacity to achieve sustainability and scale their businesses. It supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 8, which is the provision of decent work and economic growth.
The initiative was founded in 2018 by Ayo Bankole Akintujoye and Oluwaseun Durojaiye.
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