The Financial Literacy Initiative, FabLab, Team Namibia and the Namibia Business Innovation Institute (NBII) will host the first Namibia Start-up Festival from 9-10 June 2017 at the Warehouse Theatre. The event is co-sponsored by the German Federal Government. 

Start-ups are the seeds of a strong economy, with jobs for everyone. In Namibia, there are not enough start-ups, but a lot of tenderpreneurs. This needs to change. Start-ups create jobs, not only for our generation, but our children and grandchildren. They put competitive pressure on existing businesses, forcing them to modernise and innovate, which is very important for long-term sustainable economic growth. 

The Namibia Start-up Festival aims to inspire Namibians to become true entrepreneurs and to celebrate the beauty of new ideas and the courageous business founders who realise them. At the festival, participants have the opportunity to learn all from how to start a business, to secure start-up funding, to finding an investor and to deal with tax issues. 

Over two days from 9-10 June 2017, international speakers will share their experiences. Start-ups will learn from regional and local mentors; and investors will scout new ventures to invest in. It will be all about breakthroughs, making headlines and growing Namibian start-ups! The festival offers a spectacular programme full of inspiration and new opportunities. The opening keynote will be held by the First Lady and Founder of the 1Economy Foundation Madam Monica Geingos. There will be workshops, panel discussions and a lot of time to meet new business partners, sort out start-up finances and take businesses to the next level.  

Start-ups who are actively working on a business idea can register as “Rockstars” (register on www.NamibiaStartUpFestival.com), and in case chosen to participate in the Namibia Start-up Festival will enter the festival for free. All selected start-up Rockstars will be invited to partake in the festival's ADDventure business idea pitching competition where the winner awaits a cash prize of N$ 75,000.  

Future entrepreneurs who dream of starting their own business or members of the public who are curious what the Start-up Festival has to offer can buy a ticket for the Festival as a "Rising Star" for only N$ 200 only. Tickets are available at all Airtime Kiosks at Service Stations and Woerman & Brocks as well as online at www.NamibiaStartUpFestival.com.