Five Africans Join Silicon Valley Social Venture Incubation

Five African youths of Sudan and Kenyan nationality have been selected to join a formal incubation process with a Silicon Valley social venture. During the incubation with the venture New Scholars the five entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to transform their business ideas into a successful enterprise.

The five entrepreneurs, Nicodemus Ajak Bior, Diang’a Humphrey, Jok Gai, David Nyaga and Riak Ajak Panther emerged winners from 36 other innovative entrepreneur participants who took part in the New Scholars Entrepreneurial Safari in Kenya in December 2010.

Their winning business ideas focused on agriculture, identity verification, real estate, as well as sustainable energy and laundry services.

The entrepreneurs will go through a six months incubation program where they will receive mentoring and advice from other success tech entrepreneurs. They will also get an opportunity to network, as well as test the commercial viability of their ideas. As part of the incubation process, they will benefit from financial and strategic support.

New Scholar is a venture that seeks to support Africa’s innovative entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into businesses that will support economic development and create jobs.  Its role is to fill the knowledge and financing gap most entrepreneurs face.

The venture organises boot camps through which talented entrepreneurs are discovered and mentored. Other than this, New Scholar assists the entrepreneurs in commercialising their ideas by connecting them with Venture Capital funds and other potential financiers. New Scholar focuses on Southern Sudan particularity.