Banking and investment firm Investec, in partnership with En-novate, is to take a group of South African ed-tech entrepreneurs to Helsinki, Finland, to help them learn about the country’s approach to education, entrepreneurship and technology.
Interested entrepreneurs can apply here to take part in the trip, which comes shortly after the two companies organised a similar initiative in Silicon Valley.
The programme and trip to Finland have been designed for South African entrepreneurs in the for-profit education sector to learn about the Finnish approach to education, entrepreneurship and technology.
It is hoped participating entrepreneurs will be assisted in incorporating, pivoting, partnering or adapting some of Finland’s trends, thinking and approaches into their businesses.
Applicants startups should be for-profit in the education, tutoring, or supplementary support education learning space, and must have a track record of being an entrepreneur for two or three years. Businesses must be operational and not in the “idea phase”.
All candidates are expected to complete the application form, while successful first round candidates will be invited for a face-to-face interview at Investec. The final selection round is a due diligence of the candidates selected from step two.
The entire programme, including flights, accommodation and meals, costs US$4,200 per person excluding VAT, with all participants to be charged a US$300 participation fee. However, as the programme is aimed at up-and-coming entrepreneurs, Investec said it is able and willing to offer grants on a need basis.
