AEP Agribusiness
FATE Foundation in partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation is pleased to announce the call for applications for the virtual Aspiring Entrepreneurs Programme targeted at agripreneurs within the agribusiness value chain space and who are within Ogun and Ekiti States respectively.
As part of her corporate philanthropy program, Mitsubishi Corporation is providing sponsorship support to cover the N400,000 all-inclusive tuition fees for carefully selected 30 entrepreneurs who will be enrolled in an 8-week enterprise education programme focused on capacity building on essential knowledge, strategies, skills, and tools to build sustainable businesses within the entire agribusiness value chain space.
To qualify, entrepreneurs must be graduates from a tertiary institution with a viable business idea or startups that have already launched, be computer literate and must be aged between 18-35 years old.
You will also be required to upload the relevant documents indicated below:
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of Tertiary Education Result/Certificate
- Business Registration Certificate (CAC)
- Profile picture
- Birth Certificate
Additional Post Programme Benefits:
- Business Advisory Support from FATE Foundation
- Formal registration of business entitles
- Access to Free Business Support Tools & Applications
- Funding and Market Linkages
Structure and Curriculum
The programme is a virtual 8-week enterprise education programme focused on capacity building on essential knowledge, strategies, skills, and tools to build sustainable businesses within the entire agribusiness value chain space. With the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of businesses have come perilously close to quitting while many others have abandoned their original ideas and/or had to pivot drastically. These sessions will be facilitated by various industry leaders and professionals across the agribusiness and entrepreneurship ecosystem using a pedagogy approach to build networks amongst the entrepreneurs and encourage group/team work for better learning. The robust learning structure is a combination of virtual interactive class sessions, workshops, case studies, entrepreneurship book reviews, plenary sessions, masterclasses and group activities.
The AEP Agribusiness curriculum has been designed to provide insight to aspiring and budding entrepreneurs within the agribusiness value chain to see diverse market potentials and understand how to create a structured business model to strategically grow their agribusiness.
The Curriculum is intensive and includes:
• Pricing and marketing strategies
• Business Model Strategies
• Product development review
• Funding opportunities within the agribusiness value chain and value focus
• Digital Strategies & Enablement
• Financial Literacy
• Business pitch skills
| Application Deadlines: | AEP Agribusiness: |
| OGUN: Sunday 4 April, 2021 | OGUN: 26 April, 2021 – 18 June, 2021 |
| EKITI: Sunday 6 June, 2021 | EKITI: 28 June , 2021 – 20 August, 2021. |
Application
Stage I: Interested applicants must complete the application form here and upload the following documents:
1. A Profile Picture (headshot facing camera)
2. Statement of Tertiary Education Result/Certificate
3. Birth Certificate
4. Curriculum vitae
5. Business Registration Certificate (CAC)
Stage II: Following a review of all received applications, 50 candidates will be shortlisted for a 10-20 minutes phone/video interview after which 30 applicants will be shortlisted for each stream.
Through the support of Mitsubishi, the programme is FREE to all entrepreneurs who successfully scale through the two application stages. This scholarship support from Mitsubishi covers all direct course fees including course materials, books, data support and post programme support.
This is a state by state virtual training and it is expected that each entrepreneur enrolled for the programme must be from the location/state where you have applied for the programme. This will also be verified during the shortlisting/selection process.
Additional Post Programme Benefits:
• Business Advisory Support from FATE Foundation
• Formal registration of business entitles
• Access to Free Business Support Tools & Application
• Funding and Market Linkages
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, you must be:
- Between 18 – 35 years old
- Computer Literate
- Have Access to a Laptop or Data Enabled Device
- Business must be within the Agribusiness value chain
- In the idea stage or have launched the business
- Have graduated from an Accredited Tertiary Level Institution
- Must be able to participate all through the required programme duration
When Can I Apply?
Applications will be open from February 1, 2021 and will be on a rolling basis as each new cohort starts. We recommend applicants to register 3 weeks before the start of the programme in each state as that is when shortlisting and interviews commence.
How many entrepreneurs are you selecting per stream?
30 entrepreneurs will be selected for each state.
Is there a Fee to Participate?
There is no Fee. The programme is free as all selected entrepreneur will be on a Scholarship that has been provided by Mitsubishi.
How Do I Know if my Application Has Been Successful?
Only applicants shortlisted to the second stage will be contacted. If your application is successful, you will be contacted for the next stage.
Can I make changes to my application after I have submitted or do I do a Fresh Application Instead?
No. You cannot make changes after your application has been summited. Once you have submitted, it becomes final and you will not be able edit the application. Also, multiple entries will be disqualified. So we encourage you to verify your application carefully before submitting.
What is the time involvement expected for participants?
Each cohort will run for a period of eight (8) weeks and with an average of about 2-3 days of involvement per week.
Where do I send my documents to?
After the first stage, a mail with a link will be sent to you immediately which you will click on to upload your documents. You are advised to check your inbox, spam or junk mail to access it.
What if I do not have C.A.C. document, can I still apply?
Yes. You can still apply for the programme as long as you have other requirements. One of the benefits of the programme is registration of business entitles with the corporate affairs commission.
Can a member of my team replace me in the programme?
No. Only the business owner/founder/co-founder is allowed to participate in the programme.
Where should I send my enquiries?
Email [email protected]. Also follow @fatefoundation on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date.
