On Monday, July 15, 2024 Orange Corners Nigeria – an initiative of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Lagos and implemented by FATE Foundation – launched a new hub in Ogun State.
Over the next five years, the Ogun State facility will closely mimic the pioneer Lagos model to empower 100 young, local, and innovative entrepreneurs, with the objective of providing economic opportunities, skills, and empowerment.
Special guests at the Ogun State hub unveiling included the special guest of honour, Prince Dapo Abiodun (Executive Governor of Ogun State) – ably represented by Adebola Sofela (Honorable Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ogun State); and His Excellency, Michel Deelen, Consular General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos-Nigeria, and co-host of the event alongside FATE Foundation .
Also in attendance at the unveiling were Sonia Onovughakpo Fajusigbe (Economic Policy Advisor, Entrepreneurship Youth Employment & Healthcare, Consulate-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos); Adenike Adeyemi, Executive Director, FATE Foundation; Bambo Adebowale (Dean & Director, The FATE School); Amaka Nwaokolo (Director, The The FATE Institute); and Engr. Kehinde O. Akintomide (Director of Industrial Promotion, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ogun State).
From state-of-the-art workspaces, classroom to collaborative areas, the Ogun State hub is designed to inspire innovation and creativity, proudly providing a supportive and enabling environment where young entrepreneurs can grow and thrive.
At their most basic level, incubators help entrepreneurs by providing practical, concrete resources that may be difficult for a new business to obtain or afford. The clear goal of incubation is to accelerate the growth of a startup, while avoiding the commonly occurring pitfalls. Its benefits can include: networking opportunities, access to professional resources, exposure to industry leaders, mentorship, partnerships, and structure to maintain business focus.
Reading Resource
- 9 Reasons Why Startups Need Incubators [University Lab Partners]
- What Sets Successful Startup Accelerators Apart [Harvard Business Review/ Susan Cohen, Benjamin Hallen, and Christopher Bingham]