SOUTH AFRICA – Orange Corners (OC) and AstraZeneca have officially announced a new partnership to support Orange Corner’s program in South Africa aimed at creating an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs.
The Orange Corners (OC) program is a joint initiative of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dutch businesses.
The program provides young entrepreneurs with a 6-month incubation training and serves as a bridge between these innovative entrepreneurs and the private sector.
Orange Corners works with companies like Vopak, Heineken, and Philips in South Africa. OC helps young entrepreneurs turn their innovative ideas and startups into successful businesses. Orange Corners is dedicated to inclusive economic growth and job creation.
Through individualized business development training, the program provides personalized support to both grassroots and advanced entrepreneurs, aiming to bridge the gaps in their individual business development plans as laid out at the start of the OC journey.
Coaching is supplemented by training, masterclasses, market access, and, to a lesser extent, working capital requirements.
AstraZeneca has joined Orange Corners as a private partner in South Africa. AstraZeneca will fund the program as part of the collaboration through its Youth Health Program (YHP), a holistic and integrated community investment program aimed at connecting adolescents to health and wellness.
In addition, AstraZeneca will take part in OC’s mentoring program, providing assistance to young entrepreneurs.
Barbara Nel, Country President African Cluster (SA, SSA, FSA) at AstraZeneca, said in part, “This partnership with Orange Corners South Africa is an integral part of our unwavering commitment to creating sustainable impact in Africa. We want to ensure that young entrepreneurs in South Africa have a platform of support and inclusive opportunities, with access to a network of knowledge and experience, helping them develop their innovative ideas into successful businesses.”
In October last year, AstraZeneca and the Royal Academy of Engineering announced a partnership to help drive the development of health tech solutions in Africa.
The collaboration aims to connect African healthcare innovators with AstraZeneca’s A.Catalyst Network, the pharma giant’s new platform with over 20 global health innovation hubs.
As part of the collaboration, AstraZeneca provides training support for Africa Prize entrepreneurs, giving them access to tailored expertise and experience to help them develop their projects.
The partnership hopes to nurture local talent and strengthen healthcare innovation in Africa by connecting Africa Prize entrepreneurs to the A.Catalyst Network, AstraZeneca supply chain, and wider ecosystem, including investors.
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