Business Plan Competition winners with guests
Tarawa, Kiribati, Wednesday, 16th March 2022 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) showcased and celebrated the achievements and growth of I-Kiribati Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program participants, coaches, mentors and others involved in the program. The event was hosted at Dreamers Guesthouse Maneaba Ambo Tarawa, commencing from 12.30pm to 2.30pm and attended by winners and graduates, GoK officials, the Honourable Mayors from Teinainano Urban Council (TUC) Mr. Baraniko Baaro and Betio Town Council (BTC) Ms Botika Matinnara, local media, mentors, coach and GGGI local staff in-person, with GGGI renal staff attending virtually.
Winners of the Business Plan Competition
Business Plan Competition winners cutting cake to celebrate their achievement
Out of the 6 early-stage green enterprises from Kiribati who participated, three enterprises graduated from the program and were finalists in the Business Plan Competition (Mr Eria Rurunga from Kiritimati, Mr. Kaiea Ribanataake and Bioua Tokati from Tarawa). Two I-Kiribati winners of the Business Plan Competition were awarded seed grant funding of USD 5,000 each (for a total of USD 10,000 or approximately AUD 13,700 in awards) at the event. The winners, Ms. Bioua Tokaiti (age 30) from Home Gardening Enterprises and Mr Kaiea Ribanataake (age 31) from Clean Spatial Solutions will use the funds to grow their businesses and increase their environmental and social impact. Ms Tokaiti and Mr Ribanataake were also given the opportunity to present their business pitch to the audience.
Addresses were given by GGGI, the Mayors from Tarawa TUC and BTC, the Kiribati Greenpreneurs Consultant commemorating the important event and giving encouragement and blessings for the future of Green Enterprises in Kiribati. In her remarks on behalf of the graduating ‘Greenpreneurs’, Ms. Bioua Tokaiti of Home Gardening Enterprises quoted “Inside every seed is the potential for an incredible harvest” and likened that to the journey of the Greenpreneurs in growing through the program stronger.
The Incubator program is part of the Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN), a 3-year regional program funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and implemented by GGGI. The Network aims to support green and inclusive job growth by supporting entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) develop their green and sustainable businesses whose business models include solutions aimed at contributing to their country’s climate and sustainable development goals in six Pacific Island countries – Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. The inaugural Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program ran from October 2021 to January 2022, with 6 early-stage green enterprises from Kiribati participating in regional training, mentoring, coaching, and networking. The program culminated in a Business Plan Competition, with green enterprises vying for seed grant funding.
Kiribati Greenpreneurs graduates are part of the regional Pacific Greenpreneurs alumni, comprised of 39 early-stage green enterprises who have completed the program in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu. GGGI acknowledges the support of the Qatar Fund for Development and GGGI staff and consultants for implementation and coordination in this regional project.
Applications for the 2022 Incubator and Accelerator programs will be open in coming months. For more information on the program, visit www.pacificgreenpreneurs.com.