About
The Challenge
If Ethiopia anticipates a meaningful economic growth, there is a need to create 14 million jobs between 2020 and 2025, which is about 2 million new entrants to the labor market every year. In order to achieve this target, high-potential and high-growth MSMEs need to get well established support with improved business development services
Seeks to unite key ecosystem players to aid small e-commerce businesses in scaling up and tackling the obstacles commonly encountered by startups. This initiative holds the potential to enhance the economic landscape and alleviate the high unemployment among youth demographics
Our Purpose
To boost the digital economy by aiding successful digital enterprises (focusing on e-commerce) through a well structured incubation and acceleration programs. Additionally, we aim to transition SMEs onto digital platforms by providing them with essential digital skills, fostering sustainable businesses together with high potential startup founders.
Our Goal
Incubating and accelerating 100 e-commerce startups and empower 3,240 small businesses as third-party marketplace sellers (3PMPS), and create 56,160 jobs to women and youth.
56,160
jobs
3,240
small businesses enabled
100
e-commerce
start-ups
77,000
young people
benefited
Impactful Partnership
Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT) is a government body established under the Laws of Ethiopia as a Ministry, with its powers and duties defined in November 2018 by Proclamation No. 1097/2018. MInT is established to foster and support the development of innovation and technology within Ethiopia.
Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management. For more information on the Foundation, please visit: www.mastercardfdn.org
Iceaddis, (ice stands for Innovation, collaboration, Entrepreneurship) is Ethiopia’s first innovation hub and tech startup incubator established in 2011. Iceaddis is a co-creation space that accelerates high-potential startups, facilitates technological innovations, and works with a multi-partnership approach to activate youth to gain economic empowerment. For more information on iceaddis, please visit: www.iceaddis.com
Program Benefits
Digital Entrepreneurship Development through Incubation Support – We support the creation and growth of new e-commerce ventures. Our startup incubation program identifies and nurtures startups capable of scaling and transforming communities, aiming to establish 50 scalable companies.
Acceleration program for growth-oriented digital entrepreneurs – Enables the growth and strengthen 50 established digital entrepreneurs through acceleration services and potentially connect them with investment opportunities.
Catalyze growth and strategic partnerships – e-commerce start-ups will be supported to create improved work opportunities for young women and men through third-party sellers created their online platforms. In addition they will be supported through access to seed funding and additional investment opportunities as needed.
Marketing and promotion for scaling and growth – In collaboration with partners, we will work on continuous promotion campaigns to ensure growth and traction to the startups. Facilitating and organizing public events to promote startups’ businesses via online and offline channels with branding promotion campaigns including on monthly networking and demo days.