ASIGE is a social enterprise that turns raffia into innovative, eco-friendly and fashionable products. Image Startup name: ASIGE Founder: Dorcus Apoore School: Business School Three words to describe your entrepreneurial journey: Resilience. Impactful. Determination. How did you come up with the idea? ASIGE was born out of my desire to give back to society in response to the support I received from the MasterCard Foundation for my education, which inspired me to create this initiative. Through ASIGE, I aim to empower women and young people, providing them with opportunities to overcome challenges and realise a better future. My vision is to create a world where women and young people do not have to struggle with unemployment. Every day, I am motivated by the knowledge that I am providing a place for them to acquire the skills they need to be employed, and enabling them to support themselves and their families. Moreover, my passion for innovation drives me to constantly challenge myself, developing new ideas and products that challenge the status quo and bring about positive change in the world. What is the idea? ASIGE is a sustainable skills empowerment and social enterprise business that turns elephant grass/raffia into innovative products for indoor and outdoor events. These unique, eco-friendly and fashionable products are helping to combat climate change, offering a sustainable solution in the fast-fashion industry, as well as providing employment for women and young people in Africa and the world. What role has Edinburgh Innovations played in your entrepreneurial journey? Edinburgh Innovations has played a crucial role in the development of ASIGE, providing skills development, training and a strong support network, all of which is enabling us to run the business successfully. The Startup Summer Accelerator offered mentorship and guidance, connecting ASIGE with experienced mentors from diverse backgrounds who provided valuable insights and advice. This support helped us navigate challenges and make informed decisions, minimising pitfalls along the way. What’s next? ASIGE is currently constructing an e-commerce website to enhance our market development and create awareness of our work. We plan to ship 40-foot containers of baskets to the global market every two weeks. We will also build a working centre for the women and young people in four communities in Ghana, so they can work all year round. In the next five to ten years, we aim to help 5,000 rural women and young people on the street who cannot feed themselves to gain employment and support themselves. Give entrepreneurship a go Inspired by Dorcus's story? Why not try the Startup Basics programme? Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply curious about the world of startups, our comprehensive Startup Basics programme is tailored to meet your needs. Equip yourself with the essential knowledge, resources and guidance to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey. Our immersive workshops bring together students and graduates from diverse disciplines and provides a supportive environment to explore your entrepreneurial potential. Meet like-minded people, learn new skills and have something to add to your CV. Be part of it - book your place on Startup Basics now Image This article was published on 2024-07-01
