A CONSULTANT at the Namibia Investment, Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) Linda Mcleod said that in essence, ScaleUp Namibia is dedicated to providing coordinated support to start-ups.
McLeod said to Desert Radio on Wednesday that the initiative aims to foster growth and maximise the contribution start-ups can make to Namibian economic development.
ScaleUp Namibia is a collaborative initiative between the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) and the NIPDB aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration, and supporting the growth of local start-ups.
ScaleUp Namibia also advocates for policies that support the start-up ecosystem, building a strong base of skills, talent and infrastructure and enhancing the global competitiveness by connecting Namibian start-ups to international markets.
“In regards to challenges, Namibian start-ups struggle to find the necessary funding and there’s a lack of consistent and structured support to guide them. Additionally, regulations and the complexity of doing business across borders can slow down their ability to expand their operations or basically scale into other markets,” McLeod said.
Chief executive at the NCRST Anicia Peters underscores the importance of technology, research and innovation in shaping Namibia’s economy and ensuring start-ups remain competitive internationally.
Peters also says ScaleUp Namibia was born out of a need for local innovators and start-ups to find opportunities beyond Namibia.
The NCRST and NIPDB co-founded the platform to provide access to regional and international markets, fostering an environment for Namibian innovations to flourish on the global stage.
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