This year, the Global Entrepreneurship Congress is taking place in Istanbul, home to 538,000 Syrians. The event gathers together thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers and other startup champions from more than 170 countries to identify new ways of helping founders start and scale new ventures around the world. At the week-long GEC, delegates make connections, gain insights, learn about new research, and leave ready to renew their programs, policy ideas or firm founder skills.

SPARK is hosting a session at #GEC2018 on Entrepreneurship in Post-Conflict Economies, alongside Building Markets – who also focus upon creating jobs and sustaining peace in developing countries by championing local entrepreneurs and connecting them to new business. Our session will discuss the efforts in strengthening entrepreneurship in post-conflict countries, such as Liberia, and conflict-affected (such as refugee host countries), like Turkey, to help address these challenges.

Last year, during GEC in South Africa, we were delighted to witness Mahmud Johnson, one of the Liberian entrepreneurs who partook in SPARK’s Branson Scholarship Programme, which was implemented by the SPARK Business Start-Up Centre in Monrovia in 2014, winning the Johnson and Johnson African Innovation Challenge. Mahmud won the esteemed award for his efforts in sustainably economising Liberian palm oil, whilst empowering middle and lower income individuals and providing jobs. 

Don’t miss this year’s SPARK session, more info here.  

Entrepreneurship in Post-Conflict Economies
April 18th, 11:00 am to 11:50 am, Hub 1

Moderator: 
Mohammed Skaik | Entrepreneurship Expert, Business Development | SPARK  

Speakers: 
Richard Hoolwerff | Team Leader SME Project Liberia | SPARK
Selen Ucak | Consultant | Building Markets 
Samer Haffar | Director | Syrian Businessmen and Entrepreneurs Association (SIAD)
Nour Kotmawi | Syrian Entrepreneur
Christian Steinhardt | Country Manager Liberia | SPARK