Singapore, 30th October 2024 – CEO.com, the premier network for global business leaders and Welchman Keen, with its track record of facilitating global access to connectivity, are proud to announce a transformative collaboration aimed at fostering entrepreneurship in developing countries.
This partnership will leverage CEO.com's extensive network of accomplished CEOs and Welchman Keen's expertise in digital transformation capacity building to create a mentorship platform that connects experienced business leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs in underserved regions.
Key Highlights of the Collaboration:
Community Entrepreneurship Opportunities: A Global Mentorship Platform
Entrepreneurs from remote communities will post a profile with their business or ecommerce idea.
CEO.com's network of CEOs will be able to apply to be a mentor and help to guide entrepreneurs in remote areas of developing countries. The platform will match CEOs with prospective mentees, focusing on maximising the benefits of ecommerce and expanding regional and global market reach for community-based products.
Remote engagement will take place through Welchman Keen’s Economic Micro Hub (EMH) facilities.
Economic Micro Hubs (EMHs)
Developed by Welchman Keen with CEO.com's support, the EMH is a multi-purpose facility that leverages an ecosystem of remote connectivity partnerships and solutions to boost socio-economic opportunities for underserved communities living in remote islands and villages while preserving local cultural and environmental heritage.
EMHs can serve multiple functions tailored to the needs of local communities, such as internet access e-government services, online learning, telehealth and spaces for skills development workshops, a digitalised marketplace, and other community-centric activities.
Notably, the EMH’s sustainability and scalability model leverages public-private partnerships and cost offsetting models built into the programmes and technology adopted in the EMH.
Two pilot EMHs are underway in Vanuatu.
Clint Betts, CEO, CEO.com notes, “By utilising remote connectivity, the programme ensures that even the most isolated communities have access to world-class business education and mentorship.”
This development follows the announcement of Welchman Keen’s MOU with the Department of Communication & Digital Transformation (DCDT) in Vanuatu. Through this MoU, Welchman keen services DCDT’s requirements and ties the project to other national and international services and resources. OCGIO plays a crucial role in facilitating a whole-of-government approach and engaging local leaders to bridge the digital divide and enhance accessibility to essential services for underserved populations.
Gerard Metsan, Chief Information Officer of the Government of Vanuatu adds, “This initiative will bring a big positive change for remote communities, who currently must travel long and sometimes risky distances, just to get an official document from Port Villa. With the Economic Micro Hub, we can demonstrate to our people the benefits of digitalising government services.”
In addition to leading the project in needs assessment, business development, project management, stakeholder coordination, and monitoring and evaluation, Welchman Keen is also developing a Train-the-Trainers model for digital literacy and capacity building programmes.
Welchman Keen welcomes partnerships with organisations that are committed to contributing to various aspects of the EMH’s ecosystem. According to Aaron Boyd, Managing Partner, Worldwide, “We believe that collaboration is key to achieving lasting impact, and we invite like-minded organisations to engage with us in this transformative endeavour.”
Welchman Keen's extensive engagement in connectivity matters across developing countries, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, forms the foundation of this collaboration. Drawing on perspectives from local stakeholders and research on over two decades of experience in remote connectivity initiatives worldwide, the firm's forthcoming white paper will present best practices and key lessons learnt. This comprehensive document aims to distil insights from various projects, offering valuable guidance for future connectivity endeavours.
For more information on partnership opportunities, please contact:
Casey Le
Marketing Manager
Welchman Keen