Niël Terblanché
Entrepreneurs and innovators face significant challenges in commercialising their ideas and expanding beyond local markets, with limited commercialisation platforms, restricted access to funding, and a lack of structured support for startups.
Recognising these challenges, the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), and other stakeholders have launched ScaleUp Namibia (SUN), an initiative designed to accelerate startup growth and establish the country as a leader in innovation.
The initiative was officially launched in Windhoek last week.
The initiative takes Namibia in the direction of a knowledge-based economy.
ScaleUp Namibia is a collaborative effort aimed at bridging the gap between ideation and commercialisation for Namibian startups, providing structured mentorship, investment facilitation, acceleration programmes, and key infrastructure such as co-working spaces and digital transformation centres.
The NIPDB’s executive for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) development and export promotion, Peter Shivute, reiterated the importance of partnership in fostering entrepreneurship and technological advancement.
“The partner organisations are the foundations and the pillars of fostering entrepreneurship, innovation and technology ecosystems. This network brings together the vital players who cultivate and empower the entrepreneurs and innovators of our ecosystem. Today we celebrate their continuous efforts in moulding and nurturing entrepreneurial talent,” Shivute said.
The chief executive officer of the NCRST, Professor Anicia Peters, stressed the need to create an enabling environment for startups to thrive.
“I would love for our startups to find a home in Namibia where they can thrive. We have so much potential, but we need to create spaces where innovation is supported, nurtured, and allowed to grow,” she said.
According to Peters, ScaleUp Namibia aims to advocate for a more conducive policy environment by engaging regulators to streamline processes and improve the ease of doing business.
She added that the NIPDB serves as the primary facilitator, aligning with its mandate to drive economic development by empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups.
Peters also said that the NCRST coordinates accreditation and certification of innovations and fosters collaboration among Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) stakeholders.
A key component of the initiative is its digital platform, which can be accessed at https://startup.nipdb.com/.
The platform will serve as a central hub for information on the initiative and entrepreneurial opportunities, as well as a dashboard showcasing key data on Namibia’s startup ecosystem.
