STARTUPIYEM

Innovation for All: Championing Cameroon's 'Handipreneurs' with STARTUPIYEM

True innovation thrives when it includes everyone. At O'Botama, we believe that entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful tools for driving social change and creating a more inclusive society. It is with this conviction that we launched STARTUPIYEM, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to empowering a vital and often overlooked community of innovators.

This program is a testament to our commitment to supporting specific populations, proving that a great business idea can come from anywhere and has the power to create both economic and social value for our communities.

What is STARTUPIYEM?

STARTUPIYEM is a dedicated support initiative for Cameroonian "handipreneurs". The term 'handipreneur' is defined in two ways: 

  • Entrepreneurs who personally have a disability.
  • Entrepreneurs who are creating innovative products or services to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

The program's core mission is to provide this talented community with the tailored support they need to launch and grow sustainable ventures, turning their unique insights into impactful solutions.

Tailored Support for Tangible Impact

Understanding that a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective, STARTUPIYEM provides support that is specifically adapted to the needs of its cohort. By focusing on this specific community, we can address unique challenges and unlock opportunities that might be missed in a general program.

This focused approach has been highly effective, with the program successfully accompanying 19 innovative projects led by or serving the disability community in Cameroon.

From Strategic Support to Successful Funding

A key objective of STARTUPIYEM is to bridge the gap between innovation and investment. We place a strong emphasis on preparing our entrepreneurs for fundraising and actively facilitating the process. This has led to remarkable and tangible success.

To date, the program has enabled the launch of 7 successful fundraising campaigns for its participants. One notable success includes a €15,000 fundraising round secured for a STARTUPIYEM venture, facilitated through our partnership with the Fiatope Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is considered a 'handipreneur' for this program?

A 'handipreneur' is either an entrepreneur who has a disability or an entrepreneur who is developing a product or service designed to improve the living conditions of people with disabilities.

The program provides tailored support designed to help launch innovative projects. A major focus is on fundraising assistance, with a track record of helping participants launch successful funding campaigns.

No. The program supports innovative projects across various sectors. The primary eligibility criterion is that the entrepreneur or the solution they are building is connected to the disability community in Cameroon.

The STARTUPIYEM initiative has successfully supported and accompanied 19 projects led by Cameroonian 'handipreneurs'.