Ten student entrepreneurial groups have been honoured at a Business Ideas Competition awards ceremony organised by the Design Thinking and Innovation Hub (D-HUB) of the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
The winning teams included Tuber Flakes, The 3R’s, Moland Technology, Just Pop, Feli’s Pop Food and FDM FDM Green Innovations. The others were Biowax Ghana, Amazol Innovations, AgricFlex Mechanics and Agricband Solutions.
Each of the teams received a cheque for GH₵ 2,500 to support their business ideas.
In a speech read on behalf of the Registrar, Mr.Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye by the Director of the Directorate of Public Affairs, Major Kofi Baah- Bentum (rtd.), said the awards scheme reflected the vision of the University to nurture entrepreneurial excellence and innovation among students.
According to the Registrar, the awardees were a proof of the transformative potential of aligning academic knowledge with real-world challenges to arrive at impactful solutions.
Director of Public Affairs at UCC, Major Kofi Baah- Bentum (rtd) presenting a cheque to one of the winning teams
“It is exciting that students are ready to push boundaries to turn ideas into viable businesses to reflect the entrepreneurial spirit we aim to cultivate,” he said.
Mr. Abbeyquaye said there was no doubt that huge successes would usually start from humble beginnings. He noted that businesses where new ideas had to go through a testing and experimentation process to validate assumptions, minimise risks and increase the chances of success.
“Therefore, the provision of funds for minimum viable product development is a step in the right direction,” he added.
Mr. Abbeyquaye charged them to maximise the funds entrusted to them to build prototypes to be developed into viable business ventures.
He, therefore, encouraged the awardees to preserve, innovate, and ensure that their ideas grew into sustainable ventures that create value for society.
He used the occasion to express gratitude to the leadership of D-Hub and the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (CANS) for collaborating to make the initiative a success.
Director of D-Hub, Dr. (Mrs.) Keren Naa Abeka Arthur speaking at the event
For her part, the Director of D-Hub, Dr. (Mrs.) Keren Naa Abeka Arthur, urged participants to persevere and further develop their ideas into workable pursuits.
She called on the students not to despise their humble beginnings as they served as their foundation and roots since that determined how far they go as entrepreneurs.
Dr. Arthur called on Ghanaian entrepreneurs to cultivate networking and partnerships for the success and growth of their businesses.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC