DAY 2
Theme: INCLUSION
The event began with a welcome address from the host, Ms. Lamarana Bah, the Communications Lead at Innovation SL. Ms. Bah announced the collaboration between Innovation SL and National Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Fair (NYEEF) through the Freetown Pitch Night, hosted by Innovation SL. She provided background information on Innovation SL and its role as the national host for GEW (Global Entrepreneurship Week) in Sierra Leone. Ms. Bah emphasized the importance of entrepreneurial and innovative ideas, stating that pitch events are where dreams become reality.
The Managing Director of Innovation SL and Global Entrepreneurship Network Sierra Leone, Mr. Francis Stevens George, was then introduced by Ms. Bah. He expressed gratitude to Mr. El Hadj Saliou Diallo, CEO of Sonoco Company, for his valuable contribution to the entrepreneurial society. Mr. George highlighted various opportunities and Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs) available to young entrepreneurs. He emphasized the significance of pitch events and advised pitchers to clearly communicate their ideas and solutions.
Mr. Mark Pritchard, the General Manager of Sonoco, acknowledged the presence of young people at the event and recognized them as the future of Sierra Leone. He announced the launch of Bred Avenue, a training program for youth, and emphasized Sonoco's commitment to supporting entrepreneurs through mentorship.
The Minister of Higher Education, Madam Haja Ramatulai Wurie, who also served as a judge, thanked the organizers for the invitation and spoke about the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in a country. Madam Danetta Younge, General Secretary of Orange SL and Project Lead for the Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP), also introduced herself as a judge and expressed her enthusiasm for the program.
Mr. David Lansana, CEO of Agtech SL, introduced himself and his business, which focuses on delivering logistics for farmers to the market using technology. Mr. Albert Sheku, a lecturer at Ipam, congratulated the pitchers for their efforts and expressed his belief in the potential for greatness in their nation.
Pitch Event and Judges Feedback:
The first pitcher, Mr. Alusine Kargbo, owner of Cornpacks Agro Ventures, aims to address the limited availability of agricultural food processing companies in Makeni. He plans to engage with local farmers to cultivate maize and produce corn flour, cornbread, and poultry feed. Mr. Kargbo highlighted the eco-friendly nature of his approach. He shared that his business has already sold 1 thousand tons of flour and generated NLE 145,00 in just 3 months.
After his pitch, Madam Haja Ramatulai Wurie asked Mr. Kargbo about his business sustainability plan, and he explained his partnerships and plans for expansion. Another judge asked about his plans to expand farmland cultivation and his need for financial support.
The second pitcher, Musa Bangura, founder of Agric Dream Empire, aims to address malnutrition by cultivating vital foods and producing nutritious flour, bread, and baby food. He emphasized the organic and nutritious nature of their products. Judges raised concerns about his presentation style and asked about safety measures, the need for 200 people on the farms, and competition. Musa mentioned working with a nutritionist, the need for large-scale production, and having only one competitor currently.
Adnan Timbo, the third pitcher, presented his idea to provide cinematography training and address copyright infringements in the film industry. Judges raised the issue of gender inclusivity in his team, and Adnan explained that it is currently a voluntary effort with two female board members.
Mary Massah Jenkins, the fourth pitcher, aims to improve access to quality corn flour for lactating mothers. She explained that her pricing is based on the earning capacity of her customers in the village. When questioned about the cost and business revenue, Mary mentioned plans for expansion and a fixed price in other provinces.
The final pitcher, Augustine Tamba Alieu, focuses on cinematography, inclusivity, and changing narratives about disabilities. He plans to provide cinematography skills to disabled individuals and create employment opportunities. Judges applauded his initiative and asked about business sustainability, to which Augustine explained revenue allocation and partnerships with photo studios.
Mr. Francis Stevens George then provided insights to the audience on pitching ideas and businesses. He emphasized the importance of identifying the problem to solve, understanding the target customers, and the difficulty of addressing nutritional problems. He also mentioned various platforms and institutions that support entrepreneurship and innovation.
Announcement of Winners:
Madam Haja Ramatulai Wurie commended all the pitchers and stated that they were all winners. Mary Massah Jenkins was announced as the second runner-up, Augustine Tamba Alieu as the first runner-up, and Alusine Kargbo as the winner. They received seed capital prizes of $1000, $1500, and $2500 respectively. Photos were taken, and the ultimate winner was interviewed by the media teams.