Freetown, Sierra Leone – ’Freetown Markit’, a startup that aim to create an e-commerce platform suitable for businesses to be able to showcase their product whether from B2B or B2C in Sierra Leone and the international market, captured first prize at the national finals of the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) competition held recently in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
"...For the fact that you are here, makes you a winner and even a bigger and a better one than you could ever know,” said Madam Naasu G. Fofanah.
‘Freetown Markit’ is a startup whose vision is to create a platform for businesses in Sierra Leone to showcase their products in both local and international markets, improving accessibility and market reach for customers in the sub-region. The platform aims to address the lack of necessary tools for local businesses, limited market reach hindering SME growth, and the issues of street trading and hawking affecting the economy.
Other finalists in the EWC Sierra Leone National Finals included:
‘Salgro’ (Salone Agro Market) from Freetown, is a startup that aims to solve issues like food security, post-harvest losses, lack of market access, and inefficient traditional markets while empowering farmers in Sierra Leone through a digital platform that connects them directly with buyers, input suppliers, and agricultural experts to achieve sustainable agricultural growth and improve livelihoods.
‘Kam Rent Ya’ from Freetown, a startup that envisions seeing where one doesn’t have to/be: Struggling to locate available rental housing and no agency fees before one has access to rentals to create a platform that links Renters/Buyers to House Owners.
‘Ecoplastic Recyclers’ from Freetown, a startup that whose vision is to eradicate plastic waste from landfills and beaches by recycling it into affordable construction materials, achieved by purchasing and collecting plastic waste from the community, which is then processed into durable interlocking bricks, pavers, poles, and roofing sheets.
‘Richmond Agro Business’ from Freetown, is a startup that aims to transform Sierra Leone's agriculture by introducing aquaponics to set new benchmarks in sustainable farming, address resource scarcity and land degradation, and promote economic growth through a symbiotic system where fish and plants benefit each other.
Advanced to the “EWC 250” - the next round of the global competition against applicants from 200 countries. All founders advancing to the next round will participate in a Bootcamp which features virtual training and mentoring sessions targeted to their company’s current stage and growth trajectory. This is a key step to qualify for the EWC Global Finals.
The top 100 finalists globally will advance to pitch live for a share of USD 1 million in cash prizes at the EWC Global Finals held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in Fall 2024. Global finalists also gain automatic entry into the GEN Starters Club, an invitation-only community of talented founders from around the world.
Judges for the national competition were:
- Madam Naasu G. fofanah, Chief Executive Officer, Susu Women’s Finance
- Mr. Collin Ogoo, Founder, Christex Foundation
- Madam Joyce A. Coulson-Olowu, Entrepreneur/Educator, Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM)
- Madam Ajara Marie Bomah, Social Entrepreneur & Business Development Expert; Founder & Creative Director, at Women Mean Business
The EWC Sierra Leone National Finals were organized by GEN SL in partnership with Innovation SL, and Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM). Promoted by The Freetown Pitch Night, the Freetown Innovation Week, Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) and sponsored by Innovation SL.