News

💥💥The Youth Entrepreneurship Training (YET)

YET organized by ASTU Entrepreneurship Center in collaboration with Entrepreneurship Development Institute-Ethiopia (EDI-Ethiopia) from December 14-15, 2024 has been concluded successfully. The training participants have reflected that the training was an eye opening that helps them to understand what it takes to become an entrepreneur as future likely career option. Participants who have fully attended the training will be provided a certificate from EDI-Ethiopia shortly.

🌟 Congratulations to the Agro-Business Idea Competition (ABIC2024) Winner from Adama Science and Technology University! 🌟

Office of University-Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer, Entrepreneurship Center is thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of the Agro-Business Idea Competition (ABIC2024). Over the past four months, this journey has showcased the entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity of students from across four universities including ASTU.

As a part of the ABIC2024, top two were selected for the final national pitch competition representing ASTU after university-level pitch competition held among the five business ideas under incubation on August 17, 2024.

For the national pitch competition, eight teams, two from each participating university, competed fiercely, presenting their groundbreaking ideas to a distinguished panel of juries in Addis Ababa on August 27, 2024, with [Top 3 Teams] emerging as winners, the team from Adama Science and Technology University secured 2nd place.

💥💥Agro-Business Idea Competition Training (ABIC2024) and Pre-incubation pitching has been conducted at ASTU 💥💥

As a part of GIZ’s Sustainable Training and Education Program (STEP) Phase-II Agro-Business Idea Competition (ABIC2024), pre-incubation training has been conducted for five consecutive days from June 12-16, 2024 to ASTU shortlisted applicants. The training aimed at enhancing the entrepreneurial mindset of contestants thereby help them develop knowledge and skills to craft a compelling pitch deck to sell out their startup ideas. As a result, during the final day of the training session, mock pitch has been conducted at the presence of Mr. Abel Mulugeta, a former ASTU incubatee and a winner of ABIC2022 where he shared his own experience and tips to make pitch in front of juries with confidence.

Similarly, to identify and select contestants who will make to the incubation stage, pre-incubation pitching has been held at the presence of panel of juries comprise of experts with real world experience.

Entreprenuerial meetup Program

It was fantastic to see entrepreneurs, students, and professionals from both Adama and Addis Ababa come together for a stimulating coffee meetup hosted by The Disruptors Den Adama Chapter! As the organizer and moderator, I was thrilled to witness the exchange of stories and lively discussions where real-world experiences helped answer pressing questions. The energetic networking session truly added to the event's success.

A huge thank you goes to Adama Science and Technology University for their incredible support in making this event possible. We are also incredibly grateful to each and every attendee!

Mark your calendars! Our next coffee meetup will be held on March 23rd, 2024, in the inspiring Adama Science and Technology University refreshment lounge. We anticipate an even larger crowd for another engaging discussion on entrepreneurship, along with a fantastic networking session, and of course, delicious coffee to fuel our collective fire.

Let's keep the momentum going!

🔥BIC-Ethiopia “Starter Program” has been conducted colorfully at Adama Science and Technology University🔥🔥

BIC-Ethiopia “Starter Program” which aims to strengthen the incubation ecosystem for agri-businesses in Ethiopia through business incubation support for agricultural (Agri-business and agri-tech enterprises) has been conducted at Adama Science and Technology University, Entrepreneurship Development Center in two rounds (May 18-20 & July 4 & 5, 2023) successfully. The Starter Workshops serve to support aspiring entrepreneurs and their teams to build their business idea into a business model in a series of 2 workshops (2 and 3 days each) with a test phase in between facilitated by trainers who received a ToT by BIC academy.

At the conclusion of the two-round training sessions, participants received the “Certificate of participation”.

Call for Business Incubation Program

Do you have an innovative idea that can solve a real-world problem? Do you want to turn your idea into a viable product or service? Do you need technical and business guidance from experts and mentors? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are in luck!

Adama Science and Technology University is now accepting applications for its business incubation support program. This is a unique opportunity for 2nd-4th year students to get tailored support for developing their ideas and launching their startups. You will get access to:

Technical and business mentorship from experienced professionals
Prototype development support and testing facilities
Networking and exposure to potential investors and customers
And more!

Don’t miss this chance to make your dreams come true. The deadline for applications is November 30, 2023. Hurry up and join the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs!

Register here

ASTU Team won ABIC 2022 National Competition

Three of our startup teams won the ABIC2022 national competition. Team 1)Green Ethiopia producer of fertilizer from waste 2) BammGo Bamboo bike producer, and 3) Sozoo a tea producer from coffee leaf was among the winners from ASTU. Each team was awarded 5000 euro (230 thousand ETB) as grant money to establish their startup company. Detail news

Entrepreneurship Training Workshop (ETW) successfully held at ASTU.

Entrepreneurship Training Workshop (ETW) successfully held at ASTU

IASTU-EDC and EDC-Ethiopia jointly organized a successful Entrepreneurship Training Workshop (ETW) at ASTU from December 20 to 25, 2021. The ETW is an intensive workshop that aims to help student entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into actions, change their attitudes, and develop their personal entrepreneurial skills. It enables the participants to test their personal entrepreneurial competencies (PECs) in a lab setting and improve them later. The ETW also equips the participants with the necessary knowledge to implement green practices in their businesses.

Associate Dean for ASTU-EDC Mr. Solomon Dufera said that ASTU-EDC is striving to unlock the inner entrepreneurial journey of the students. He explained that unlocking the inner entrepreneurial journey is about changing the state of mind, being curious, embracing complexity, dealing with ambiguity, facing the unknown, seeing patterns, synthesizing data, experimenting, testing ideas, prototyping, taking risks, accepting responsibility for decisions, involving customers in the experience, and learning from failure. He emphasized that these are all entrepreneurial attributes that are needed to be successful in an entrepreneurial venture. He added that it is not enough to think like an entrepreneur, but one must act like one.

Mr. Chemeda, a lead trainer of the session, stated that “change is a door that is opened from the inside” and “success in business ultimately calls for developing entrepreneurial attributes and putting them into action”. The participant students expressed that the training was very helpful for them as they are going to graduate soon. They said that the training showed them the future direction of their life.

At the closing ceremony, the best performers/winners in different categories received awards, and all participants who completed the workshop received certificates of participation.

4th Round Holistic Entrepreneurship and Business Idea Development held

Aiming to inspire female students to become entrepreneurs and establish their startups.EDC successfully conducted 4th round of Entrepreneurship and Holistic business idea Development Training workshops for female students. The training was conducted for 6-consecutive days from 14th to 19th February 2022. During the training, many potential future business ideas and strong teamwork were observed. Three teams/ business idea were selected for further Incubation and will be supported by ASKAMAR, Mela microfinance and ASTU-EDC.

TOT on Holistic Entrepreneurship Skill and Business Idea Training workshop Held at ASTU

ASTU EDC successfully offered TOT on Holistic Entrepreneurship and Business Idea development for ASTU academic staff.

ASTU EDC successfully offered TOT on Holistic Entrepreneurship and Business Idea Development for ASTU academic staff The workshop was held six days from February 7 to 12, 2022. Twenty-two members of ASTU academic staff from different Schools/Departments attended the training. The TOT training covered topics such as entrepreneurial motivation, basics of business modeling and business strategies, how to build a holistic business model canvas, basics of prototype planning, feasibility check and action plan, presentation techniques, and conducting investor presentations. The training followed a LEARNING BY DOING approach to empower the participants to start their businesses or relevant services. The participants are expected to serve the university by delivering training, coaching, and advising the start-up students. Mrs. Beza Tadele and Mr. Solomon Dufera were the trainers of the workshop.

On the last day, the participants presented the business ideas they developed during the training. After the final presentation, a motivational speech was delivered by an entrepreneur of this age, Mr. Abera Dechasa, a founder of Mekdes Printing, who offers a combined solution of commercial print, packaging, and promotional items under one roof. In his motivational speech, he stressed that nothing is impossible if one deals with ambiguity and faces the unknown. He added that the key to success is knowing oneself, changing one’s state of mind, shifting one’s thinking, and taking the first initiative in harnessing existing opportunities.

On the closing ceremony, Dr. Alemu Disassa, VPRTT, delivered the closing remark and congratulated the participants for their achievements. The top performer team received an award and all participants received certificates of participation.

PUM Netherland and ASTU to extend Partnership

A fruitful discussion has been made between ASTU and PUM Netherland seniors experts to extend the partnership started 2 years. The partnership aims to support and strengthen the ASTU-EDC Incubation center and the business ecosystem. The two organizations also agreed to collaborate on a solid waste management system of Adama City. This project aims to develop usefully marketable products by recycling and or reusing the wastes and to create job opportunities for youth. At the end of the meeting, the country director for PUM seniors experts enjoy riding bamboo bicycles developed by our own budding startup.

ABIC 2021 Competition successfully held at ASTU

Aiming to foster entrepreneurial skills of the youth and introduce self-employment opportunities to university graduates, through linkage of students’ business ideas to the needs of the agro-industry. ASTU-Entrepreneurship Development Center in partnership GIZ-Ethiopia and other institutions successfully organized the Agro-industry Business idea Competition 2021 at the university level on October 21, 2021. The selected five startups incubated at ASTU pitched their startup to the panel of judges composed of experts from different organizations. The jury has selected 3 finalists who will go for the National pitching event in the next months and culminate in the finale at Addis Ababa. Accordingly, the Bammgo team won 1st rank, SOZO Coffee leaf tea secured 2nd rank and Green Ethiopia Team won 3rd rank. The Top three teams were received in-kind awards and certificates on the events and will go for the national Pitching event.

Start up Pitching Events

ASTU-EDC is inviting all ASTU communities to attend Agro-Industry Business Idea Competition (ABIC 2021) startup pitching event on 21 October 2021. ABIC2021 ASTU incubates will pitch their business ventures for national pitching qualifications and regional awards. At the National level, the selected startup will pitch their ventures for funding and/or acceleration and potential investments. This program is supported by ASTU and GIZ-ethiopia

BioScience Innovation BootCamp

Our incubate and budding entrepreneur Mr. Abel Mulugeta CEO of #bammgo is rocking the stage on biosciences innovation Boot camp 2021 ongoing in Kenya, Nairobi. We wish you all the best.

Business Development Traings for Farmers

Business Development Service Training Held at ASTU

Entrepreneurship Development Center of ASTU in collaboration with Entrepreneurship Development Center (EDC)-Ethiopia delivered Business Development Service (BDS) training to 20 Model farmer transformed MSEs of Oromia Region East shewa Zone for the last five days. The training was delivered by professional from EDC-Ethiopia. The group BDS training session focused on 5 topics: Start-Up Toolkit, Business Operations and HR Management, Marketing, Finance and Accounting, and Business Plan Preparation.

New collaboration made with Netherland organization

Since its establishment, our center has encountered various challenges, including:

A weak entrepreneurship culture
Inadequate infrastructure for Entrepreneurship
Lack of entrepreneurship knowledge and experience
Insufficient financial support
Shortage of business mentors and coaches
Limited connections with external institutes, industries, and professionals

To address these issues, we recognize the critical importance of establishing strong linkages with both international and local organizations dedicated to entrepreneurship and incubation. In pursuit of this goal, the Entrepreneurship Development Center (EDC) at Adama Science and Technology University (ASTU) sought collaboration and assistance from the Netherlands-based organization, PUM Netherlands Senior Experts.

PUM Netherlands Senior Experts is a volunteer organization committed to fostering sustainable development in small and medium-sized enterprises across developing countries and emerging markets. Their practical expertise spans key sectors of the economy, with a primary focus on supporting producers and consumers.

In response to ASTU EDC’s request for collaboration and support, PUM Netherlands Senior Experts deployed Mr. Ben Philipsen, a seasoned expert, to visit ASTU. From November 16th to 30th, 2019, Mr. Philipsen engaged in several crucial activities:

He held discussions with ASTU management to establish long-term collaborations between our two organizations.
Mr. Philipsen conducted training sessions for our staff, sharing his wealth of experience.
External stakeholders were also consulted to enhance the business environment for ASTU EDC.

Stake Holder Agreed to Form Adama Business Circle (ABC)

The most crucial things for building and keeping entrepreneurship development and incubation center to address the range of activities is true and productive interaction between the incubator and its business environment and defined mutual understanding and shared responsibilities with its pertinent stakeholders. ASTU also has also mandate to reach out the SMEs and Communities in Adama city and West Shoa zone with its services related to Entrepreneurship development.

To do this ASTU-EDC has taken the initiative and discussed with external stakeholders like Adama city such as the Adama chamber of Commerce and sectoral association, Adama Trade Office and Adama enterprise and Industry Development office individual discussion and in-group were all stakeholder gathered.

After through discussion the stakeholders shows serious interest and commitment to join the forces sustaining and enhancing the ASTU EDC activities and services in university and community in large.

First Technology and Business incubation Training for female (FIS)

EDC at Adama Science and Technology University (ASTU) successfully conducted intensive Entrepreneurship Training for female students from various departments. A total of 32 female students participated in this inaugural training round.

The training curriculum encompassed various components: business idea competitions, business idea pitching, paper prototype development, and business planning. Adopting a “Learning by Doing” approach, the program aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of entrepreneurship skills and the essential components of running a successful business. By the end of the training and competition, all teams demonstrated remarkable performance, and the competition among them was fierce.

Following a thorough review of all submitted business plans, the top five teams were selected to receive incubation services. These services will support them as they embark on developing their business ventures, preparing them for the final competition scheduled for the near future. Additionally, the selected teams will benefit from coaching and mentoring to kickstart their entrepreneurial journey.

Youth Entrepreneurship Training offered

EDC offered a 2-day Youth Entrepreneurship workshop training for the students drawn from freshman to graduating class. The training is organized by ASTU EDC in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship Development Center of Oromia coordination office as the Part of Global Entrepreneurship Weeks celebrations. About 233 students attended the full training packages.

Mr. Solomon Dufera Associate Dean for Entrepreneurship Center address in his opening Speech that this training aims to motive young students to be stirred to entrepreneurship as the career option, help the students learn about business idea generation and opportunity identification and principle of business planning, etc.

Mr. Ben Philipsen, Senior Expert at PUM Netherland has also shared his rich expereince on entrepreneurship and address Motivational address for youth students on opening program. In his Motivational address Mr. Ben Emphasis that “ entrepreneurship is a mindset, entrepreneurship is willigness to be there before other there , Entrepreneurship is willigness putting more effort in the other do”. The training was then deliver for 2 full day on different topics of entrepreneusrhip by the profession trainer from Ethiopian entrepreneursh Deveolempnts Center.

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