LOREAL AWARDS BATSWANA FEMALE INNOVATORS

The Foundation L'Oréal together with UNESCO revealed the 11th Sub-Saharan Africa Young Talent Awards L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, which rewards 20 women researchers for the academic excellence in their projects. As a local facilitator of the awards, Botswana Innovation Hub announced two women from Botswana as recipients of the awards. The two women are;

VIRTUAL BOOST UP FINAL PITCH COMPETITION

Following months of intensive acceleration, 18 start-ups from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia in the BOOST UP final pitch competition. The competition was held simultaneously in all five countries and broadcasted online. This year, the Annual competition attracted 83 applications.

In addition to the main prize, BOOST UP competition offered US$5,000 in AWS credits sponsored by AWS Activate for the top three start-ups overall, a prize for the top start-up from each country sponsored by SLUSH, and a package sponsored by Think Africa for the start-up that most represents the organisation’s values. Doctors E-Consult, represented by Loatile Nkala, was the top start-up from Botswana, and won access to Node by SLUSH, an international investment matchmaking platform.

IBRANCH CONNECTS TO REDUCE UNEMPLOYMENT

Recently launched by the Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Hon. Mpho Balopi, the iBranch Recruiters boosts an enrolment of 249 employers, 106,000 graduates and a placement of more than 500 Batswana job seekers. iBranch Recruiters platform to connect with potential employers.

iBranch Recruiters is an innovative company registered with Botswana Innovation Hub Incubation Programme within the First Step Venture Centre. The company has built significant traction in the market through utilisation and bridging the unemployment gap by matching potential employees with employers. The services are offered via mobile and web platforms.

The platform is the first of its kind in Botswana as it allows for interactions between registered employers and jobseekers and is expected to effectively speed up the process of recruitment and placement of jobseekers. Some of the organisations that have had the opportunity to work with iBranch during its piloting stage acknowledged its contribution to their workforce.

“I am happy to note that we are collectively witnessing the Fourth Industrial revolution in action with a clear demonstration of how the world leverages technology and associated efficacy. The ibranch platform will help match the right skills with the right job opportunities and assist in reducing youth unemployment.” -Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Hon. Mpho Balopi.