NBSSI GWES Pitch Competition: 3 Entrepreneurs emerge winners

The National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) organized a Pitch Competition as part of its maiden Ghana Women Entrepreneurship Summit (GWES-2018) for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The objective of the competition was to bring together women entrepreneurs to share innovative ideas and expose their businesses to potential investors.

The Competition also aimed at building their confidence as well as broaden their horizon.

Prior to the Event, the participants who were clients of NBSSI were taken through a 3-day mentoring and coaching session to acquaint themselves on the rudiments of Pitching by a Team of Experts from the Hatchery.

Five (5) enterprises out of the twenty-five (25) shortlisted, namely Gyam Engineering and Construction works, Myda Foods, Del Chris Africa Ltd, Qualitrace and Achie Pee Farms were selected to compete for the grand prize.

During the Summit the selected Enterprises were given a maximum of 10 minutes to give a presentation on their businesses after which they were grilled by a panel of four (4) judges based on their deliveries.

After an intense gruelling session with the judges, Del Chris Africa Limited, producers of Local Candy popularly known as “Adakoa” was adjudged winner of the Pitch Competition. The company took home a cash prize of Ten Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH? 10,000.00). In addition to the cash prize, Del Chris Africa Limited will access free Business Development Services (BDS) from NBSSI for a period of six (6) months and embark on study tours to successful enterprises in Ghana.

Myda Foods came in second with a sum of six thousand Ghana Cedis (GH? 6,000.00), Qualitrace also placed third with an amount of four thousand Ghana Cedis (GH? 4,000.00).

In addition to the cash prizes, the first, second and third winners each received a tablet and internet services from Vodafone Ghana.

All participants including Achie Pee Farms and Gyam Engineering and Construction works which took the fourth and fifth position respectively also were given access to free Business Development Services (BDS) from NBSSI for a period of six (6) months, will be supported on study tours to successful enterprises in Ghana as well as access to registration on various marketing platforms.

All twenty-five (25) participants were awarded certificates of participation. Ms. Kosi Yankey, Executive Director, NBSSI in her closing remarks congratulated the participants especially the winners and sponsors of the Pitch Competition. She urged the winners not to hesitate to contact NBSSI on how to manage their funds for the intended purpose. She mentioned that this was in line with the Government’s agenda of strengthening MSMESs and women-owned businesses to grow and create jobs for the citizens.

Ms. Yankey further reiterated NBSSI’s mandate of promoting and developing the MSME sector in Ghana which is in alignment with the current Government’s vision.