Kiribati green businesses join Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator and Accelerator events
[Tarawa, Kiribati – 23 June 2023] The Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) kicked-off its 2023 Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program in Kiribati with nine early-stage enterprises selected for the highly competitive Incubator program. Concurrently, the Accelerator program hosted a Kiribati investor pitch event for featuring three growth-stage enterprises competing in the Accelerator investor pitch event.
The Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) is a three-year regional program implemented in six Pacific Island countries by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) supporting local entrepreneurs with innovative green business ideas that is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The program aims to support green and inclusive job growth by supporting entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) develop their green and sustainable businesses - contributing to their country’s climate and sustainable development goals.
The PGEN program is funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD). Mr. Fahad Al-Dehaimi, Head of International Organizations, Qatar Fund for Development stated in his recorded remarks, “The Qatar Fund for Development believes deeply in the power of entrepreneurship and innovation as catalysts for growth and prosperity.”
The 2023 cohort is the third cohort of the program and will benefit from incubator workshop through interactive sessions, engaging discussions with coaches, facilitators and mentors from the Pacific, and practical exercises provided valuable insights into sustainable business practices, fostering innovation, and creating positive environmental impact over four months.
Ms. Ruth M. Cross, the country Program Coordinator facilitated the incubator workshop. She congratulated the cohort on their successful selection to the program, having met a very specific criterion. Welcome remarks were shared by country program manager Mr. Ross Craven who provided insights into GGGI’s vision and mission in Kiribati along with encouraging words to the participants. He said, “as green entrepreneurs, you are uniquely positioned as drivers of innovation, holding the keys to unlocking a transition to a green and sustainable future for our planet through purpose-driven enterprises that address social and environmental issues while generating income”.
The Kiribati Accelerator investor pitch event followed the workshop, bringing together a diverse group of participants, including aspiring and established entrepreneurs, and stakeholders interested in green entrepreneurship and sustainable development. The winner of the accelerator investor pitch event was Mr. Kaiea Ribanataake Awira, of Clean Spatial Solution who won an all-expense paid trip to Fiji to represent Kiribati during the Regional Pitch finals at the end of August. Mr. Maatai Tamaiti from Matai Trading took the 1st Runner-up place.
The Kiribati Institute of Technology graced the event as guests showing their support for the program by awarding certificates to the winner and finalist of the investor pitch event.
PGEN activities continue to support economic growth that is both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive, in support of green job growth through green entrepreneurship, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Paris Climate Agreement.
Kiribati accelerator investor pitch winners. Far left: 1st Runner-up, Mr. Maatai Tamaiti from Matai Trading. Far right: Winner, Mr. Kaiea Ribanataake Awira from Clean Spatial Solution.
Ms. Cross wished the 2023 participants a successful journey, with the firm belief that small business and private sector can lift Kiribati out of poverty by helping people become self-reliant through innovative ideas and sustainable income opportunities that are socially conscious and environmentally friendly.
About Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI):
Based in Seoul, GGGI is an intergovernmental organization that supports governments of developing countries to transition to a model of economic growth that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. GGGI delivers programs in over 40 partner countries with technical support, capacity building, policy planning & implementation, and by helping to build a pipeline of bankable green investment projects. More on GGGI’s events, projects, and publications can be found on www.gggi.org. You can also follow GGGI on Twitter and join us on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
About Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD):
Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) is a Qatari public institution committed, on behalf of the State of Qatar, to implement foreign aid projects by international best practices and standards.
Since 2012, QFFD has been providing aid to many countries in accordance with the international cooperation goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. Its primary goal is to achieve inclusive and sustainable development by addressing global priority issues in education, health, and economic development. In this context, priority is given to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
1. SDG 3: "Ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all";
2. SDG 4: "Ensuring fair and inclusive education for all and enhancing lifelong learning for all";
3. SDG 8: "Promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and keeping full and productive employment and decent work for all."
To realize the optimal development impact, QFFD projects are also designed to have cross-cutting co-benefits within SDG (2) on "Zero hunger" and SDG (6) on "Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all" in addition to SDG (17) on "Partnerships to Achieve Goals."
QFFD cooperates with many reputable actors through strategic partnerships both locally and internationally. These include Civil Society Organizations, government agencies, UN agencies, and the private sector.
