IB PLC Hero’s Foundation Kickstart Entrepreneurship Programme 2018 for young Nigerians

IB PLC Hero’s Foundation Kickstart is International Breweries PLC’s corporate social investment (CSI) initiative run by its subsidiary IB PLC Hero’s Foundation. It is aimed at instilling a culture of entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths by encouraging them to develop their big ideas into sustainable businesses or expand their existing businesses through the provision of material and financial support which include:

• Business development skill training
• Business mentoring and coaching
• Provision of grant for business start-up and or expansion

First launched in South Africa in 1995 as a poverty alleviation initiative, the programme has also been implemented in Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Tanzania.

The IB PLC Hero’s Foundation Kickstart programme is open only to Nigerians between the ages 18 to 35 who live and have their businesses in Abia, Anambra, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states.

The ultimate goal of the programme is helping to build a young prosperous society by helping to create a culture of entrepreneurship thereby reducing youth unemployment in Nigeria.

ELIGIBILITY:

The competition is open to Nigerians between the ages 18 to 35 years who live and have their businesses in the following states: Abia, Anambra, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states.

• Applicants must be at least 18 and at most 35 years with valid identification (e.g National I.D; Drivers License; International Passport; Voters Registration, etc) as at the last day of the application period.
• He or she must be willing to operate the business on a full-time basis.
• Should have an innovative business idea in need of a startup capital.
• Or already have an existing small business needing capital to expand operations.
• Energetic and entrepreneurial in approach.
• Should be able to read and write.

Training programme

• Successful applicants will then undergo an intensive one-week business training. The modules for the training will include:
• Human Resources
• Business Plan Writing
• Book Keeping
• Income Statements

At the end of the training, applicants will be given one month to write the final competing business plan.

Final Selection

• Each judge is given a copy of each submission document for review.
• Judges convene to interview applicants on their business plans.
• Business plan and interviews for each applicant are rated and scores aggregated to determine winners (Kickstarters).
• The outcome of the judges’ decision remains confidential until the day of the award ceremony.
• The decision of the judges is final and cannot be contested.

Kickstart Awards

• This will take a form of a grand event and winners will be announced and presented with their prizes. It will be a high profile event with government functionaries and business persons in attendance.

Mentoring & Monitoring

• The awardees will have access to carefully selected expert assistance through mentorship and coaching for the period of a year. The Kickstarters are under the obligation to observe and implement the advice as tendered by the mentors. There will be monthly update on the progress made and business performance which will be shared with the Foundation and Intafact Management.