Plaqad and StartWeb Plans to Fund African Entrepreneurs

Two Africa software firms have teamed up to assist young African entrepreneurs in growing their businesses. According to them, SMEs across Africa encounter some barriers in their businesses, so they wish to help to accelerate their business.

StartWeb’s co-founder, Thabo Ledimo, says he can identify with the challenges the young African entrepreneurs face in their businesses because he once wore the shoes and understands where it pinches.

He said, “I’ve founded several startups and continue to face one challenge or the other. We are not by any means a super company or on our way to unicorn status yet, but we do not want to wait until we have become successful before we help our community”.

StartWeb’s co-founder Kelvin Orifa says, “African businesses face a lot of challenges, most of which their counterparts in Europe and America cannot relate with. We are starting this programme as a way to not just bring global attention to these issues; but to also play our part, no matter how small, in fixing them and helping as many people as we, and members of our community can”.

In light of this, fifty young African entrepreneurs, who show exceptional passion for their businesses will have access to G-Suite subscriptions, Plaqad software, StartWeb software, free business incorporation, legal services, public relations support free domain names, ISP, and some other benefits.

Plaqad founder, Ayeni Adekunle, says, “We have an opportunity to bring these conversations to the centre stage and to use the resources we have – be it cash, tools, or other resources, in making sure the next African SME, startup, or idea does not fail. It’s a common vision StartWeb and Plaqad share, and I believe we are not alone”.

To ensure fair selection, StartWeb and Plaqad, through a social media campaign, call on young African entrepreneurs to tell the story of the challenges they encounter in their business. 

Also, through the campaign, StartWeb and Plagad call on members of their 50,000+ community to help these entrepreneurs, in addition to providing them with a suite of support or prizes worth over N10m or $20,000.

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