Sanlam awards young innovators

Sanlam and the Namibia Business Innovation Institute (NBII) have announced the winner of the Sanlam Innovation Works Project which was launched last year. OMIG Technology scooped the award as the winner of the first edition of the Sanlam Innovation Works Project. OMIG Technology combines strategic thinking and emerging technologies to provide innovative solutions that consistently break new ground. On September 16, 2014 Sanlam and NBII gave a chance to young entrepreneurs to make their dreams become a reality by calling for entries to take part in the Sanlam Innovation Works Project. The importance of assisting pure talent that only needs a kick-start with a little finance was important and mentorship has been provided for a year. Sanlam Marketing and Communications Consultant Ilke Platt Akwenye shared her joy at seeing the project reach its final stage. “Today, after a year of bonding and mentoring, we are so proud to see how our Top 5 entrepreneurs have matured and developed greatly. We believe with this initiative, we not only helped to start up businesses, but also helped to develop new technologies and equip workers with the skills, competencies and ability to master different techniques,” she said. Sanlam Innovation Works provided a public platform and funding for small-scale projects at the early-stage developments that address key issues in innovation. Many submissions were received and five were selected - Education Consultancy, M&O Décor, Tses Healthy Herbs, OMIG Technologies and Level 27. All the companies were well received at Sanlam’s Open Day at the Polytechnic of Namibia last month. Each Top 5 team received N$20 000 start-up capital and an additional N$20 000 was awarded to the final winner, OMIG technology. The Special Advisor to the Rector, Professor Errol Tyobeka, thanked all involved in the initiative. “The launch of Sanlam’s Innovation Works project provided a great moment for all of us, and I believe we should be fully aware of what it stands for. Namibia Business Innovation institute is well embedded in Namibia's Vision 2030 and with its subsequent national development plans; we have so far provided the necessary training through competent staff that specialise in the identified fields. “With these two main components our working relationship has seen fruits after a whole year of ups, downs but most importantly skills learnt in the process,” he said. Platt-Akwenye said Sanlam and NBII will invite entries for the second edition of Sanlam Innovation Works this year and urged entrepreneurs who missed out last year to take part and allow themselves the opportunity provided by both institutions. Upcoming entrepreneurs who struggle to write their business proposals are also encouraged to join a workshop that will be facilitated by NBII. Mentors of the Top five entrepreneurs Bernice Karuhumba and Julius Andima thanked all of the participants for their dedication, commitment and perseverance throughout the first trial project. “This was not an easy path for us as mentors and them as participants. We will continue to monitor these vibrant go-getters and check on them next year this time when we announce the next winner of the Sanlam Innovation Works Project,” Karuhumba said when handing over the award to this year’s winners. Aitkens Mainga and Ivan Limbo of OMIG Technology thanked Sanlam, Polytechnic of Namibia and NBII for their support, and promised that their drive would not end after the project. “We will continue to grow our business as young entrepreneurs and allow ourselves to learn from every challenge. We had a few failures but we managed to get back up and become wiser through this process,” they said. GORDON JOSEPH