Staff Writer
The Momentum Metropolitan Limited Trust, in partnership with Basecamp Business Incubator, has launched Metropolitan Founders Ignite, a new entrepreneurship development and investment readiness programme designed to help Namibian founders strengthen, grow and build more sustainable businesses.
The programme brings together Metropolitan’s commitment to supporting sustainable livelihoods and enterprise development with Basecamp’s experience in entrepreneurship development, incubation and founder support.
At the heart of Founders Ignite is a premise that Namibia already has ambitious entrepreneurs with ideas, businesses and potential worth backing. What many require is the right support, knowledge, networks and resources to take the next step.
Rather than attempting to create entrepreneurial ambition from scratch, the programme seeks to ignite what is already there, helping founders turn existing potential into stronger, more resilient and commercially viable enterprises.
Denille Roostee, group executive of marketing and communications at Momentum Metropolitan Namibia, reflected on the thinking behind the initiative and Metropolitan’s decision to invest in entrepreneurship as a pathway towards greater economic participation and sustainable livelihoods.
“When we named this programme Founders Ignite, the word ignite was intentional. We believe Namibia does not lack potential, ideas, or ambition. Sometimes, all those potential needs is a spark, access to opportunity, knowledge, networks and people willing to back what is possible. Founders Ignite is about recognising what already exists within our entrepreneurs and creating the conditions for it to grow. Because when we ignite an entrepreneur, we can ignite a business, create livelihoods, strengthen families and ultimately contribute to communities and an economy that can thrive.”
Jesaya Hano-Oshike, director of Basecamp Business Incubator, welcomed the partnership, highlighting the importance of programmes that go beyond once-off interventions to provide entrepreneurs with practical support as they navigate the realities of building businesses in Namibia.
Through Founders Ignite, selected entrepreneurs will embark on a structured development journey combining practical business-building support, mentorship, learning and opportunities to strengthen their enterprises.
The programme is intended to meet founders where they are while challenging them to think more deliberately about the businesses they are building, from their value proposition and customers to operations, financial sustainability, growth and long-term resilience.
