Call for applications: UNESCO-IEEE Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Early-Career Engineers in Africa

South Africa
Entrepreneurship
Engineering
Student
Sustainable Development Goals
Startups

UNESCO and IEEE Entrepreneurship are launching a new entrepreneurship bootcamp in engineering for sustainable development. It is a 5-day intensive bootcamp for early-career engineers in Luanda, Angola from 9 to 13 September 2024. Prospective applicants from Africa who are interested in learning entrepreneurial skills to market their scientific inventions are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this enriching experience. The bootcamp is organized under the auspices of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development 2024-2033. It is a contribution to the 10th Africa engineering Week. 

About the bootcamp

At the bootcamp, the participants will learn about topics like Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the importance of engineering and innovation for sustainable development, Sustainable Development Goals and need for innovation; Opportunity assessment, Concept of intellectual property (IP) and its significance; basic financial knowledge for start-ups, taking an idea to market - timelines and processes for taking an invention to market; developing a business models and business plan, success stories; innovation tools; key decisions encountered by start-ups, raising funds for start-ups  and more. The bootcamp will consist of a set of lectures, participate in discussions, mentor group activities and will be available for one-on-one discussions with interested participants.

Topics will include:  

  • Opportunity assessment, Concept of intellectual property (IP) and its significance.  
  • Basic financial knowledge for start-ups, taking ideas to market - timelines and processes for taking an invention to market.  
  • Developing a business models and business plan, Success stories. 
  • Innovation tools: Key decisions encountered by start-ups, Raising funds for start-ups. 

The participants will also be mentored by a team of experienced inventors and entrepreneurs, and work in small teams to develop and pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. Two online sessions will be held prior to the bootcamp to brainstorm on ideas.

Eligibility

Participants must be: 

  • Below 35 years of age by 31 December 2024.
  • Early-career engineers, including students registered in engineering programmes and engineering practitioners.
  • A national and resident of an African country.
  • Available for all days of the bootcamp, including the two-pre-bootcamp online engagements. 

Click here to apply.

Closing date
Industry
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
​Mining and quarrying
​Manufacturing
​Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
​Construction
​Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
​Transportation and storage
Accommodation and food service activities
​Information and communication
Financial and insurance activities
​Real estate activities
Professional, scientific and technical activities
Administrative and support service activities
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
​Education
Human health and social work activities
​Arts, entertainment and recreation
​Other service activities
Activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods-and-service-producing activities of households for own use
​Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies, not economically active people, unemployed people etc.
Website link
www.unesco.org