The Intafact Hero’s Foundation’s has announced the commencement of the second edition of its Kick start programme. Application for participation in the programme will commence on the 20th of March to 28th of April 2017.
This year, the scope for participation has been expanded to eight states unlike last year which comprised only the five states from the South Eastern Zone. Therefore, the second edition will welcome business proposals from youths living or presently doing business in Abia, Anambra, Benue, Delta, Edo, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.
Addressing members of the press in a briefing in Onitsha, Anambra State, Godwin Oche, General manager of Intafact Beverages, said, adequate preparations have been put in place to ensure a successful second edition, assuring that the logistics had been designed to ensure that the second edition is bigger and better than the previous edition.
“The Intafact Hero’s Foundation Kickstart is a CSR initiative uniquely focused on helping the youths to build their future. Our plan is to continue to tackle obstacles to entrepreneurship such as ambitious measures to facilitate start-ups and new businesses, improve access to finance, and give the incentives to inspire niche business ideas from young people”, said Oche.
“Applications are received and screened rigorously by experts. The successful applicants are trained on business rudiments and then given seed capital to either start up their proposed business ventures or expand existing ones.
For prudent business management and good returns, the new beneficiaries are closely mentored and coached over the next one year. The end product is the reward for applicants who submitted outstanding and implementable business proposals”, Oche added.
Last year, the sum of N50 million was awarded to 24 successful applicants for their business expansion programmes at the Intafact Hero’s Foundation Award Ceremony. Charles Obinwugo of Anambra State emerged the star winner. He got the sum of N5.50 million while Alisi Francis from Imo State followed with a grant of N3m.
Speaking on the idea behind the inclusion of Edo, Delta and Benue States, Otunba Daramola, the Country Corporate Affairs and Strategy Director said, “We are gradually widening our coasts so as to have entrepreneurs scattered around our country, rather than an unbalanced concentration in one area. We aim to achieve balanced regional development”.
The Intafact Hero’s Foundation Kickstart programme is an annual activity aimed at helping to secure the future of youths between 18-35 years of age with ingenious business ideas.
FRANK UZUEGBUNAM
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