SAVE THE DATE - Land Accelerator Africa Demo Day 20th October in Lilongwe
World Resources Institute Land Accelerator Africa Demo Day 2023 will offer an opportunity for mentorship and networking on restoration initiatives to build start-ups story telling and pitching skills
LILONGWE, Malawi (Planet Defence) - Malawian enterprises involved in restoration innovation will have a grand opportunity for an epic showcase during the Land Accelerator Africa Demo Day 2023 slated for Sunbird Capital Hotel 20th October, 2023 from 1400hrs – 1900hrs.
Powered by the Washington based World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research think-tank the move supports AFR100 Initiative’s goal of restoring 100 million hectares of land by 2030.
Land Accelerator provides entrepreneurs across Africa with mentorship and networking opportunities, technical training and workshops to build up their story-telling and pitching skills.
Participants leave the program more empowered to connect with potential investors so that they can take their business to the next stage of growth.
So far, the program has attracted nearly 3,400 applicants in Africa since 2018, and its 196 alumni from 45 countries report that they have created 9,000 jobs, worked with 250,000 farmers and restored 201,000 hectares.
Amanda Gant, Senior Manager, The Land Accelerator, Global Restoration Initiative at the World Resources Institute told Planet Defence entrepreneurs should brace themselves for an ally of restoration innovation
“Land Accelerator Africa Demo Day is an exciting event happening in person at the Sunbird Capital Hotel, Chilembwe, Lilongwe, Malawi. Join us for an afternoon filled with innovation, collaboration, and inspiration! This event brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders in the land restoration and agriculture sectors,” Gant explained in an interview on Thursday from Nairobi, Kenya.
According to Gant, the event is welcoming 15 entrepreneurs from around Africa and 15 from Malawi as such it has an international exposure.
Malawians should get ready to witness ground breaking pitches from restoration enterprise start-ups working towards sustainable land use and restoration.
He urged those willing to understand the initiative, not to miss out on this incredible opportunity and encouraged investors and banks to register to have a seat as only 100 people will be accommodated.
The Land Accelerator Demo Day comes fast on the heels of President Lazarus Chakwera chiefs call to action signed in their bid to improve governance to protect and restore lands and natural resources and to promote best practices for sustainable agriculture and livelihoods.
This is good news for initiatives like those of Culture and Environmental Youth Initiative Volunteers led by one George Mussa. With nurseries across the country, Mussa produces seedlings and encourages restoration initiatives to dress degraded landscapes in schools, health facilities and community areas.
Our aim is to establish 28 tree nurseries in each and very district should have tree seedlings nursery so communities and all targets’ groups will able to collect free seedlings near their districts, Mussa explained in an interview.
“We are arranging to establish tree planting along Chikwawa road from Kamuzu bridge about 4kms coming back Blantyre Road. With are aiming at restoring areas where floods often wreck home and hoping the victim's will able to use these trees at some point to help address their needs. Therefore, we are looking partners for this campaign all trees and transportation we will arrange ourselves. What we need its partners like NGOs, companies who is willing to establish various environmental conservation activities,” Mussa who partly supported the National Tree Planting by supplying seedlings from Ntcheu and Salima nurseries said in an interview.
What does the program look like?
Since 2021, WRI and our partners at AFR100 and Fledge have invited a cohort of 100 top land restoration entrepreneurs from across the continent to join us for a virtual business accelerator. Restoration entrepreneurs are invited to apply from all sub-Saharan African countries, free of charge.
The Top 100 will benefit from:
• 3 months of exclusive weekly trainings from experts.
• 3 months of access to Fledge’s online lessons for start-ups.
• Templates to create content to help your business thrive.
• Weekly office hours with mentors who will lend their expertise.
• Weekly networking sessions to speak with and learn from other entrepreneurs in your cohort.
• Those who meet all program attendance requirements will receive a $5000 innovation grant.
By the end of the program, entrepreneurs will have access to trainings and tools to complete:
• A compelling one-minute pitch to hook investors, customers and potential partners.
• A 10 to 12 slide pitch deck targeted toward investors.
• An environmental indicator measurement, management and marketing plan.
• A three- to five-year financial model to visualize their growth projections and to identify capital needs.
• Increased confidence in their business’s mission and operations.
The top 100 entrepreneurs who complete the virtual training are invited to apply for a Land Accelerator investment pack, which will be awarded to the Top 15 entrepreneurs.
Recipients of the investment packs will benefit from:
• An innovation grant of at least $5,000 each.
• A coaching meeting with a Land Accelerator organizer to develop an investment and innovation grant plan.
• A 90-minute group session with members of the Land Accelerator mentor network, who provided tailored feedback.
• A one-on-one call with a Land Accelerator mentor to provide feedback and a thorough review of all the materials submitted throughout the program.
• The opportunity to present a three-minute business pitch at the virtual or in-person Land Accelerator Demo Day, that brings together the awardees and investors from across the continent.
• The opportunity to meet fellow entrepreneurs in-person at the Land Accelerator Impact Days in Malawi to be held Oct 20, 2023 to learn from both leading entrepreneurs and trainers.
The partner institutions in this initiative included the World Resources Institute, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and Fledge.
To register click on this url below :
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/land-accelerator-africa-demo-day-2023-tickets-727604694227