10 Fijian green enterprises graduate from Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program while 6 enterprises win US$5000 each in seed grants
SUVA, FIJI, Thursday, March 17th 2022 – A milestone was achieved today whereby 10 green enterprises graduated at the Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) Graduation Ceremony for its first cohort of the Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program.
Funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and implemented by Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the program aims to support green and inclusive job growth by supporting ‘Greenpreneurs’ design their green and sustainable business models to contribute to country climate and sustainable development goals. The inaugural Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program ran from October 2021 to February 2022, with 20 early-stage green enterprises from Fiji participating in local workshops, regional training, mentoring, coaching, and networking.
The Graduation Ceremony took place as a blended event, in which the in-person event was held at Greenhouse Coworking with participants attending in-person and virtually from around Fiji and other parts of the Pacific region and beyond. The Ceremony showcased and celebrated the achievements and growth of Fijian incubator program participants, coaches, mentors and others involved in the program.
The Guest of Honour at the ceremony was Mr. Faizal Khan of Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport who gave remarks and congratulated the graduates and mentors while handing out certificates and awards.
“Graduates put to good use what you have learnt and help others with the knowledge you have gained from the program, be proud of yourself, this is not the end but the beginning”. said Mr Khan.
GGGI Country Representative for Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga and Vanuatu, Mr. Daniel Muñoz-Smith, in his opening remarks, congratulated the graduates and expressed the graduation as a significant milestone while acknowledging the program funding donor.
One of the main highlights of the graduation ceremony was the announcement and awarding of seed grant funding of USD 5,000 each to 6 Fijian winners of the business plan competition (for a total of USD 30,000 or approximately FJD 62,000 in awards) to invest in growing their businesses. The winners were also given Certificates of Award. The winners are Aliki Lisione of GenOrganics, Anita Lata of Hydro-Greens, Beatrice Nast of MeSovu (Fiji) Pte Ltd, Cynthia Cebujano of Style Maya/Eight Finity Advertising, Joji Tamani of Adventure Race Fiji and Sadhana Sandhya of Pink & Grace.
The graduation event concluded with business showcases, networking and connections between green entrepreneurs and guests from Suva and beyond.
The Incubator program is part of the Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN), a 3-year regional program funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and implemented by GGGI. The Network aims to support green and inclusive job growth by supporting entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) develop their green and sustainable businesses whose business models include solutions aimed at contributing to their country’s climate and sustainable development goals in six Pacific Island countries – Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. The inaugural Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program ran from October 2021 to January 2022, with 19 early-stage green enterprises from Fiji participating in regional training, mentoring, coaching, and networking. The program culminated in a Business Plan Competition, with green enterprises vying for seed grant funding.
Fijian Greenpreneurs graduates are part of the regional Pacific Greenpreneurs alumni, comprised of 39 early-stage green enterprises who have completed the program in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu. GGGI acknowledges the support of the Qatar Fund for Development and GGGI staff and consultants for implementation and coordination in this regional project.
Applications for the 2022 Incubator and Accelerator programs will be open in coming months. For more information on the program, visit www.pacificgreenpreneurs.com