The Chief Executive Officer of Africell Sierra Leone Limited (Africell SL Ltd), Mr Shadi Gerjawi has provided support for Business Growth and Mentorship Programme for University Start-ups during interactive meetings with eight start-ups elsewhere in Freetown.
Eight Start-ups were privileged to do four-minute elevator pitches and got very valuable feedback from the Africell SL Ltd CEO, Mr Gerjawi, leaving significant takeaways:
If you already have products or MVPs, use these as part of your pitch.
If you have already developed a brand, it helps to be clothed in your brand colours – you are your cheapest and most effective brand ambassador.
If you have already started trading, show your historical results – volume of sales, number of customers.
Demonstrate the effect that the investment you seek will have on your business.
Don’t fall in love with your business idea, for it will make you blind and deaf to feedback requiring you to make critical changes to your business model.
Don’t forget to incorporate the origin story of your business or business idea wherever relevant into your pitch.
Demonstrate the depth of the research you have done to validate your business case.
The Africell CEO closed his visit by sharing about opportunities for employment available for university graduates that Limkokwing University students are already benefiting from.
Head of Limkokwing University Campus, Madam Agnes shared how proud she was to have the Africell CEO as a guest of the university.
The Startup Bodyshop and Limkokwing Innovation Hub would like to give their profound thanks to the Africell Sierra Leone CEO for taking this valuable time out of his busy schedule to empower our Startups.
