26 Apr 2018

Launch It Coaching has brought Project 124 back; a third installment of the entrepreneurship development programme.

    And this year they are targeting a total of 10 000 participants from 200 last year.

Aimed at assisting aspiring entrepreneurs to innovate sustainable and globally competitive business ventures, Project 124 gives its participants a chance to enroll with business ideas and graduate with an established company within five weeks.

Speaking at a press briefing in Gaborone on April 25 about their upcoming programme, managing director of Launch It, Mr Goitsemang Khutsafalo said their entrepreneurship development programme would be attracting more participants this year around.

Hoping to register 10 000 entrepreneurs from different industries and all over the country, Mr Khutsafalo said the main objective of the programme was to make it easier for upcoming businesspersons to build a long lasting company that could give back to the economy.

Highlighting the stages the participants go through to the P100 000 final prize, Mr Khutsafalo said each one of the seven stages put in place to select the winner would leave all participants with skills and developments for a successful business.

“The seven stages towards the winner include the recruitment stage where the application would be open for six months from February 5 to July 7; to the induction seminar, business pitch, startup nights, final business idea pitches, market validation to the Africa finals where the winner will be selected,” he explained.

 The entrepreneurship development programme will this year also target aspiring business starters not only from Gaborone, but extend its services to Jwaneng, Palapye, Serowe, Francistown to Maun due to the influx of applications from such places the previous year.

Also speaking at the press briefing, Project 124 Alumni 2017, Mr Ponego Sebobi shared his experiences since his enrollment in the programme after being one of the top 10 finalists.

Currently the founder of ICT company, Oven Tech which was established in June 2017, Mr Sebobi explained that the programme had grown his entrepreneurship skills and confidence and said his business was born; thanks to the programme.

 He encouraged all aspiring entrepreneurs to enroll in the programme, but also not expect to be spoon-fed as owning a business took guts, hard work and perseverance.

 The programme is said to last for close to five months with its programme duration starting on July 14 to November 20, 2018. Interested applicants may register online using the address project124@gmail.com. ENDS