kickstart your idea into a business! Apply for IBPLC Kickstart Business Plan Competition Season 3 | Entries end on November 6th

Olumide Ogunbanjo has a full production line of the finest honey being supplied to some of the largest mall chains. Awosan Adesoji Akinola poultry business focuses on bi products that offer superior results for end users. Falana Opeyemi grew her fashion line and started making ready to wear garments for corporate clientele. Ruth Adeleke a farmer that focuses on the Development of improved crop growth resulting in higher yield and production. Faleye Olanrewaju Samuel provides employment to 4 other entrepreneurs through his food processing business which he established to empower himself and others.

What do they have in common? Each of these talented entrepreneurs has won funding to launch their business, thanks to our International Breweries PLC Foundation KickStart program – and they’re far from alone.

Since the scheme began in 2015, it has supported more than 49 people who are indigenes and reside in the South Western region of Nigeria, it has also provided in-depth training and business insights to over 300 applicants giving them the support they need to start their businesses or to take their existing businesses to the next level.

International Breweries PLC Foundation came up with the idea because it wanted to contribute to poverty reduction and instil a culture of entrepreneurship by giving ambitious young entrepreneurs encouragement and practical help to get the business of their dreams off the ground and onto greater heights.

Since its inception, KickStart program has kept to its promise of being a viable scheme for new starters and Boost, which supports the expansion of established businesses in industries identified by the Nigerian government as having the most potential to create jobs.

The KickStart program is run as a competition for budding entrepreneurs and innovators aged between 18 and 35 providing them with business-skills training, development support, mentorship and chance to come away with grant fund. International Breweries PLC Foundation insist that the ultimate goal of the programme is to help build a young prosperous society by helping to create a culture of entrepreneurship among the youths, thereby reducing youth unemployment for indigenes in the South West. The KickStart program is one major initiative that would turn around the lives of youths in the area and improve the economic prosperity of the South Western Region.

Last season saw the emergence of 24 lucky finalists who got grants to kickStart their businesses from the tune of N500,000 to N1,800,000. These business cut across some notable economic providers like Agriculture, Food production, Fashion and Design, Arts and Entertainment, Education and much more.

Season 3.0 is here, and promises to be much bigger than any of the previous seasons of the program. With registration processes upgraded and a much elaborate feedback medium put in place applicants for this season will have a much memorable and engaging experience.

International Breweries PLC Foundation is calling on local indigenous entrepreneurs solving social problems facing the South Western region of Nigeria to apply for its KickStart Program. Online applications are open October 9^th and closes November 6th 2017 (12h00). This year Applications can be Filled and completed by visiting the International Breweries PLC Foundation KickStart Website (http://ibpkickstart.com) or by Downloading, Filling and submitted at any of the designated drop centres provided. All relevant instructions can be found online.

Forms can also be picked up and submitted at International Breweries locations in Lagos, Ilesha and Ibadan.

ELIGIBILITY

The competition is open ONLY to South Westerners of 18 to 35 years who live and have their business within the South Western region with valid identification (e.g National I.D; Drivers Licence; International Passport; Voters Registration, etc) as at the last day of the application period.

He or she must be willing to operate the business on a fulltime basis. Have an innovative business idea in need of a start-up capital, or already have an existing small businesses needing capital to expand operations. Must be energetic and entrepreneurial in approach and must be able to read and write.

PROGRAMME PHASES

PHASE	ACTIVITY
Application	Applicants can apply by visiting the website, filling and submitting the form online or downloading the application form, filling and submitting. Drop off can be made at various designated centres and partners’ offices across the region. All forms must be filled, signed and submitted at the specified date and time.

PHASE	ACTIVITY
Short Listing	Top entries will be selected based on the merit and quality of their business case by a team of seasoned evaluators. Each form will be scored against the “Screening Sheet”. The sheet will be used to grade and rank all submitted application form, For clarity of purpose and fairness to all applicants, the Screening sheet is an internal document. Scores are not shared externally.

PHASE	ACTIVITY
Training and Selection	Successful applicants will then undergo an intensive business training sessions for one (1) week. The modules for the training will include: Human Resources; Business Plan Writing; Book Keeping; Income Statements At the end of the training, applicants will be given one month to write the final competing business plan which will be submitted in person at the Head Office in Ilesha, Osun State.
PHASE	ACTIVITY
Final Selection	Judges convene to interview applicants on their business plans. Business plan and interviews for each applicant are rated and scores aggregated to determine winners. The outcome of the judges’ decision remains confidential until the Awards Ceremony and Grant Presentation. The decision of the judges is final and cannot be contested.

PHASE	ACTIVITY
KickStart Awards	This will be the grand event and winners will be announced and presented with their prizes. It will be a high profile event with government functionaries and business persons in attendance.

PHASE	ACTIVITY
Mentoring & Monitoring	The awardees will have access to carefully selected expert assistance through mentorship and coaching for the period of a year. The Kickstart Finalists are under the obligation to observe and implement the advice as tendered by the mentors. There will be monthly update on the progress made and business performance which will be shared with the Foundation and IB PLC Management