There are several advantages reserved for the young entrepreneurs taking part in the initiative. The Startup Weekend’s primary goal is to develop simple ideas into well-structured business plans via the creation of pitches, business models, designs, prototypes and much more.
We spoke with the organiser, Samir Pereira, from Cheetah Start, who is visibly pleased as Techstars – Startup Weekend Sustainability Espargos is about to reach the maximum number of participants due to the enormous engagement from young entrepreneurs from Sal Island.
Registration can be completed by paying a small fee of a thousand escudos, around ten euros, which grants access to all the mentoring, workshops, support materials and even a Startup Weekend personalised t-shirt.
Besides the workshops, which will feature a selection of themes such as Marketing Strategies, Financial Planning, Business Models, Design Thinking, Prototype Constructions and Pitching for Investors, the participants will be able to learn from two experienced entrepreneurs: Nádia Évora, co-founder and managing partner of both Sal Consulting and Sal Academy, and Dilma Moreira, IES Incubator Manager, promoter of entrepreneurship events and businesswoman.
Bruno Bila: “We want to have an impact on society and the market”
Mentoring is an essential part of the Startup Weekend formula, allowing the attendees to fully embrace the event. The mentors for this 2022 edition bring forth their know-how and different and enriching backgrounds, from managers to accountants, to tourism specialists and other business leaders.
Bruno Bila, one of the mentors, shared with CaboWork what his expectations are regarding this intensive weekend. “The expectation is that this weekend will generate ideas that can impact our society and our labour market and provide solutions to the problems faced by entrepreneurs, in order to stimulate our economy, contribute to employment growth and improve the quality of life of as many people as possible.”
Ten years of Startup Weekend in Cabo Verde
Startup Weekend commemorates its tenth anniversary in 2022. Previously, multiple editions were held in different municipalities throughout the country. The program was created with the intent of helping young Cape-Verdeans take the first steps towards entrepreneurship by enhancing their management and formative skills, relevant assets in the job market. This will also help to expand their network of contacts and organisations, instrumental for a successful career in the world of business.
The first edition on the Island of Sal took place in Santa Maria, in 2016. The following year, Startup Weekend moved to Espargos. In 2018 and in 2021, two other editions happened in the city of Santa Maria.
This program started out humbly, but it quickly gained the recognition of multiple national and international partners. Techstars – Startup Weekend Sustainability Espargos is currently supported by a network of renowned partners, such as the UNDP Programme (United Nations), ProEmpresa, Google for StartUps, IES – Innovation and Enterprise Support, and the municipality of Sal, among others.
