Stanbic partners with Angel network to support startups
Stanbic Bank Botswana has partnered with Angel Network Botswana to empower youth entrepreneurs and startups in accessing funds for their businesses.
In a virtual workshop, Stanbic Bank Botswana head of AcceleR8 program, Larona Makgoeng said the bank wants to be facilitators of increased youth employability and support government’s ambitions of creating knowledge- based economy. “This virtual workshop is the first of many engagements dedicated to uplifting entrepreneurs within our communities. As the Bank, we want to be facilitators of increased youth employability and we cannot do this alone but believe that our fellow private sector entities can support Government’s ambitions here as part of realizing the road towards a knowledge- based economy and a truly prosperous Botswana, in line with our National Vision 2036,” said Makgoeng.
The initiative seeks to workshop current and prospective business angels on the decisionmaking process required for investing into startups and also helps entrepreneurs better appreciate the requirements for seeking angel investment into their businesses. This is part of the Bank’s wider ambition of making a true impact on the country’s entrepreneurship and employability agenda. Makgoeng said they are excited to have started the year strongly with this partnership. He said as a Bank, they remain committed to making a more substantive contribution towards changing the youth employability narrative in Botswana.
“The Stanbic AcceleR8 is a shared learning and growth space, enabling efficacy, dialogue, and practical guidance, with a clear purpose towards progress. This partnership is yet another demonstration of our undying commitment to Botswana’s future leaders.” Angel Network Botswana is a network of business angels seeking to invest their personal funds into growth- oriented businesses or start- ups with exciting products and services in Botswana.
On his note, Angel Network Botswana Chairperson, Ananth Ram said Botswana has an active and growing entrepreneurship scene, and as such, through funding, mentorship and access to networks from business angels, local start- ups can compete continentally and globally. “This will help to drive the economic growth and diversification needed to take our country to the next level. This workshop aims to capacitate local angel investors and help entrepreneurs better understand what is expected of them as they seek angel funding.”