June 16, 2018
For the second year running, Ashesi’s Business Department welcomed members of the general Ghanaian public to the Ashesi Business Exhibition.
Supported by the Ashesi Enterprise Fund, the annual exhibition forms part of the department’s efforts to expose students and alumni startups to the general entrepreneurial ecosystem in Ghana. Other partners included the Ashesi Venture Accelerator, the Ashesi Design Lab, Land Tours,IPMC, Camelot securities, Stanbic Bank Ghana, Premium Bank and GOIL.
“The exhibition gave students and alumni exhibitors the opportunity to pitch their ventures and business concepts to various players within the ecosystem, including investors, incubators and accelerators, for feedback and opportunities for collaboration,” said Dr. Sena Agyepong, Senior Lecturer in the Business Administration Department. “For some of the guests, it also served as a window to what is happening at Ashesi, and also a reliable pipeline of ventures for their incubators and accelerators.”
Overall, 11 startups covering a mix of industries, including agri-processing, manufacturing, social enterprises and home-automation technologies, engaged with the nearly 90 industry experts, professionals and entrepreneurs in attendance. The exhibition also provided the exhibitors the opportunity to connect with potential clients, partners and investors.
“The exhibition helped me realize the viability of my business idea,” said Kingsley Yankson, who is keen on growing his home-automation concept into a venture. “It also put me in touch with key players within the industry, who can potentially help guide my idea into an actual revolutionary business in Ghana.”
“The entrepreneurial landscape at Ashesi is growing massively, and outlets like the exhibition provide students with not just opportunities to partner with others in the ecosystem, but also reminds them that their ideas, business concepts and start-ups should not end with their four years at Ashesi,” said William Annoh, Business Administration Coordinator.
“Activities like the exhibition go a long way to piece into the bigger picture, in championing Ashesi’s mission of grooming ethical and entrepreneurial leaders. Through the exhibition, all our stakeholders are reminded about the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation, and how this can go a long way to boost economic growth in the country as a whole.”
As part of the exhibition, start-ups were awarded for their presentation, viability, market-readiness and outlook.
“Awards given at the exhibition were predominantly mentorship and incubation opportunities,” shared Dr. Agyepong. “These are key to helping the exhibitors position themselves better to take advantage of the opportunities within the ecosystem. For most of them, the endorsement from the public or a vote of confidence from major players in the ecosystem, is a major boost to their confidence, to help them know they are on that right track.”
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