Event Held To Boost Capacities Of Anambra IT Startups

The “Startup Anambra Right Smart”, an event facilitated to help boost capacities of startups in Anambra State, held in Awka on Saturday, with over a hundred young people in attendance. 

Mainly targeting further development of the the existing capacity of IT innovation skills,  driving the growth and commercialization of IT innovation, and training Anambra youth in usable IT skills and startup management, the event held at the De Geogold Hotel in Awka.

Pascal Okeke, the chief organiser of the event, said that the main idea behind the event was to bring young people of similar mindsets together to form a community. 

He further said that after the event there would be weekly and monthly meetups to keep the network awake and also to mentor young people on IT skills.

Addressing the participants, a facilitator, Nonso Okafor, said that, “one needs to have a clear cut vision of what he/she wants to venture into.” 

Mr. Okafor reminded the participants that the mentality of entitlement should be forgotten, and then encouraged them to imbibe the spirit of saving, which he said “is the primary way to startup as an entrepreneur.”

Also, Chukwudi Edoga, a software developer who spoke on how to get support after starting up, stated that for an idea to be marketable it has to be beautifully constructed, so that an entrepreneur can attract funds. 

Mr. Edoga also said that most young people after getting support they begin to feed their ego rather than the business which automatically leads to the fall of such business.

Mr. Chukwura who centred on changing the Anambra story of entrepreneurship said that in as much as the Anambra man is seen as the most enterprising Igbo man, the old business model can no longer serve in this era of technological advancement, hence the need for IT build up, networking and partnership.  

In addition,  he said that the era of hoarding ideas is gone as no idea is unique to one person and young people should learn how to identify and share ideas with potential investors. 

Commenting, a participant, Peace, expressed her happiness. According to her, she had been able to meet like minds and learn first hand on how to start up a business among others all from the event.

Another participant, John Okenwa, said it was a welcome development as it’s going to sensitize and teach the Anambra youth the 21st century business model  which is technology.