We are thrilled to announce the launch of "Innovation Sahara," a transformative two-month incubator program designed to ignite entrepreneurial spirit and foster innovation across six municipalities in southern Libya. This initiative promises to be a pivotal step in supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and driving economic development in the region.
What is "Innovation Sahara"?
"Innovation Sahara" brings together 20 participants from each of the six municipalities—Bint Baya, Shargiya, Gurda, Sebha, Ubari, and Ghat. Participants will embark on an intensive 11-day training program, starting with a thorough business diagnosis to evaluate their ideas, identify strengths, and uncover areas for improvement. Think of it as a business check-up—no stethoscopes required, but plenty of bright ideas!
Comprehensive Business Development Training
Following the initial assessment, participants will delve into business development training. This phase covers essential skills such as marketing and sales strategies, navigating the Libyan legal landscape—including taxes, labor laws, contracts, and business registration—and mastering the art of pitching to investors and judges.
The Pitch Contest
After completing their training, participants will compete in a grand pitch contest. The top 10 startups from each municipality—totaling 60—will advance to the grant and mentoring phase. During this phase, these startups will collaborate with mentors to set strategic goals and will receive grant funding in two installments, contingent on meeting their key performance indicators (KPIs). It’s like Shark Tank, but with less bite and more support.
Cultivating Innovation: From Seeds to Growth
At the heart of "Innovation Sahara" lies our "Innovation Garden" concept, where we nurture entrepreneurial seeds into thriving businesses. Participants are like seeds planted in fertile soil, receiving the nourishment and care needed to sprout and grow. Through our comprehensive training and mentorship, these budding entrepreneurs will transform into robust startups, ready to flourish in the competitive market.
Join Us on This Journey
"Innovation Sahara" is set to be an exciting journey of growth and development. We invite you to follow our progress and witness the transformation of these entrepreneurs as they turn their visions into viable businesses. This initiative is part of the Deraya Entrepreneurship Initiative, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Local Governance and the United Nations Development Programme. It is funded by the European Union, the African Development Bank, the United Kingdom, Norway, and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.
Our Partners and Supporters
The success of "Innovation Sahara" is made possible by the implementation by Tadawul Financial Group via their "Innovation Garden" Unit. We extend our gratitude to our donors—the UN Peacebuilding Fund, the EU, and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs—who support this initiative through the Ministry of Local Government and UNDP. Additionally, we acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our key partners: Flat6Labs, Tatweer Research, MAZAM, Ernst & Young (EY), Tadawul Financial Services, and Moomken ACTED.
We look forward to your support and engagement as we embark on this remarkable journey to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs in southern Libya. Stay connected with us to follow the progress of "Innovation Sahara" and celebrate the successes of these innovative startups.
Don't miss your chance to be a part of this transformative program. Register here before the deadline on June 28th.
Stay tuned and be inspired for more updates—there’s plenty of growth to come! 🌱
