International Breweries Plc has awarded a N60 million grant to 50 prospective young entrepreneurs through its subsidiary, International Breweries Foundation.
According to The Punch, this was revealed during the recently held 8th Kickstart Awards Ceremony in Lagos, which had as its topic “From Ideas to Impact: Nurturing Young Entrepreneurs for Economic Growth.”
Twenty-six women and twenty-four men received awards for their outstanding business concepts during the event.
According to the company, the significant seed fund funding was intended to help beneficiaries launch and build their creative businesses and set the path for their future success as entrepreneurs.
“The award values ranged from N750,000 to N3 million for the grand prize, showcasing our dedication to supporting a brilliant and diverse set of people.
The company released a statement saying, “This year’s initiative marks a significant milestone, bringing the total number of grant beneficiaries to 425 since its inception.”
It stated that 1,600 new employment had been created directly by the International Breweries, and an additional 3,000 jobs had been created indirectly by them in various economic sectors.
The Managing Director of International Breweries Plc, Carlos Coutino, reaffirmed the firm’s steadfast dedication to improving the communities it serves.
He underlined that the program went above and beyond conventional CSR because it fulfilled the company’s goal of empowering young people.
“International Breweries hopes to address unemployment issues, increase young people’s self-assurance in their creative potential, and significantly contribute to regional economic growth through developing young talent,” he stated.
Coutino says that the subject for this year, “From Ideas to Impact: Nurturing Young Entrepreneurs for Economic Growth,” really speaks to the company’s goal of helping Nigeria’s economy grow.
“I am very excited as I stand before you today because Kickstart is not just a project, but a passion for us at International Breweries Plc.
“Kickstart’s dedication to providing young Nigerians with appropriate guidance in navigating the journey of entrepreneurship has made it a beacon of hope, impacting the lives of countless people. This has had a significant impact on changing the environment for small and medium-sized Nigerian businesses,” he said.
The International Breweries Foundation Advisory Board Chairman, Peter Bankole, praised the Kickstart project’s effects in his remarks.
He pointed out that the project aligned with the goals of the Nigerian government, which are to foster an atmosphere that encourages corporate growth.
