FUELING ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Arc Initiative which was launched in 2010 with the aim of building a genuine two-way exchange of knowledge and business skills conducted their 5^th annual training at iceaddis from June9-11.
The training was given by young professionals who mainly have a business background and the attendees comprises of people with different background including artists and IT professionals but who are striving to build their business. The selection for participants mainly is done through references from previous trainees but a review of the candidates is done to make sure people who are building their business gets a chance.
During the Arc initiative two day intensive training attendees were going through different business concepts such as the Business Model Canvas which is a strategic management and lean startup template for developing new or documenting existing business models.
The interesting aspect of the training was its ability to locally contextualize the visual chart using Amharic description with elements describing firms or product’s value proposition, infrastructure, customers, and finances was also presented in using local language description.

Heidi Upham one of the trainers expressed her amazement about the young Ethiopians who are very keen to build the Ethiopian Dream instead of leaving their country while opening doors of opportunity for many others instead of just focusing on their own venture.
More info visit www.sauder.ubc.ca/arc