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EME Foundation Youth Entrepreneurship Grant – Scheme II (July 2024)
BlogEME FoundationEME Foundation Youth Entrepreneurship Grant – Scheme II (July 2024)

The EME Foundation Youth Entrepreneurship Grant – Scheme II, launched in May 2024, was designed to empower young entrepreneurs from the Owerri region with funding, training, and mentorship to bring their business ideas to life. Over one transformative month, the initiative attracted over 1,100 online applications, marking a strong response from aspiring innovators across Imo State.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants were required to meet the following criteria to qualify:

  • Be between 21 and 40 years old
  • Originate from one of the following local government areas: Owerri North, Owerri West, or Owerri Municipal
  • Have an existing business or an intended business located in Imo State
  • Present a strong and viable business plan

Only candidates who met all three criteria and submitted robust business concepts were considered for the next stage.

Selection s Interview Process

After screening by independent Canadian firm Dgytal Inc., 250 qualified applicants advanced to a three-day Zoom interview session. These interviews further assessed their readiness,

business potential, and commitment.

Entrepreneurship Training

Following the interviews, 5G exceptional candidates were selected for an intensive two-day entrepreneurship workshop facilitated by Kleos Advisory Africa. The training covered:

  • Identifying and validating business opportunities
  • Customer-focused product and service development
  • Financial planning and tactical money management
  • Creative marketing and competitive positioning
  • Building effective teams
  • Pitching strategies for investors

Guest speaker Babatunde Akin-Moses added practical insights from his entrepreneurial journey in Nigeria.

Award Ceremony s Grant Disbursement

The program concluded with a celebratory award ceremony attended by:

  • Ikenna Egbukole, Founder, EME Foundation
  • HRM Eze Uchenna Mitchell Egbukole, Ochoronma VI of Egbu Kingdom
  • Members of the Board of Trustees
  • Royal leaders, government officials, NGO representatives, and the press During the event:
  • 50 beneficiaries received grants of ₦1,000,000 each
  • G additional beneficiaries in the compassionate category received ₦500,000 each
  • A total of ₦55.4 million was disbursed

Impact

The presentation of cheques symbolized not just financial support, but a strong commitment to nurturing innovation, reducing unemployment, and strengthening the economic backbone of communities across Owerri and Imo State.

This initiative stands as a testament to the Foundation’s mission: empowering the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs who will shape the future.