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Shopify Teams Up with Canadian Tech Incubator to Promote Black Entrepreneurship



                                                               Commerce platform Shopify, teaming up with DMZ, a tech
                                                               incubator out of Ryerson University in Toronto, to help foster
                                                               entrepreneurship among Black founders in Canada through a new
                                                               program that has been dubbed the "Black Innovation Fellowship."
                                                               Shopify and inaugural founding partner DreamMaker Ventures,
                                                               which was founded by Nigerian-born entrepreneur turned venture
                                                               capitalist Isaac Olowolafe Jr., are contributing capital to the
                                                               program, which has a total initial fundraising goal of $1 million. As
                                                               part of the initiative, selected founders will have access to growth
                                                               mentors, exclusive workshops designed to reflect the experience
                                                               of Black entrepreneurs and a dedicated workspace in the heart
                                                               of downtown Toronto. The participants will also have access to a
                                                               350-person network of investors. Entrepreneurs will not be asked
                                                               to give up equity, and eventually, the program could extend to the
                                                               United States, according to DMZ.





           Grab Launches Thinkubator for Indonesia


           Grab, Southeast Asia's leading app, launched the Thinkubator
           Startup Competition on March 28, 2019, in search of the next
           decacorn startup for Indonesia. Thinkubator is a public-private
           collaboration between Grab and five government ministries and
           agencies, including Coordinating Maritime Affairs Ministry, the
           Office of Presidential Staff [KSP], Ministry of Communication and
           Information Technology, the Indonesian Investment Coordinating
           Board [BKPM] & Agency for Creative Economy [Bekraf] to boost the
           expansion and development of Indonesia's tech and startup scene.
           1,165 startups have signed up for the program, with teams coming
           from not only the main cities, but also from East Indonesia and
           the provinces. Out of the 1,165 startups registered, 150 have been
           shortlisted and selected to join the conference today that includes
           workshops and networking opportunities. Out of the 150, 35 of   benefit from having their profile raised, providing them opportunities
           the shortlisted teams have a female founder or co-founder. 6 top   to attract further funding and investment from venture firms
           finalists will be selected from the shortlisted 150 teams to pitch   As a follow-up to Thinkubator, Grab Ventures Velocity (GVV), Grab's
           their ideas in front of a professional panel of top business leaders.   flagship scale-up program for post-seed startups, will soon start
                                ؽ൅ݓࠢ๶Էြ࿹࣮ᇏྏ
           The finalists of Thinkubator will have a chance to receive funding   accepting their second batch in Indonesia. GVV offers a platform
           from a total pool valued at Rp 3 billion (about $213,400), including   to test and commercialize their solutions with the Grab customer
           access to Microsoft Azure to grow their business. Winners will also   base.




           US: University of Utah Launches Master's Degree for Entrepreneurs

           On May 29th, 2019, the University of Utah announced a new   they need to launch a company and create their own job. MBC
           master's degree designed for serious entrepreneurs. The Master   students complete the program in just nine months, while getting
           of Business Creation (MBC) is a nine-month program aimed at   access to extensive resources, including significant scholarships,
           helping founders grow their businesses. Applicants must be full-  more than $500,000 in grants, mentors, prototyping tools, office
           time entrepreneurs who want to create, launch and scale a new   space and more.
           business. The coursework in the MBC program is tailored to
           students so that each individual gets the knowledge and resources   The MBC is one of two new programs offered for entrepreneurs
           they need for their specific business. Coursework includes topics   at the University of Utah. The other is Lassonde+X, a three-course
           such as developing and testing a business model, negotiation, law,   introductory program for all undergraduates to learn about the
           accounting, strategy, and leadership. In addition, students choose   entrepreneurial mindset. These programs are part of an ongoing
           from a variety of electives to learn skills pertaining to their needs.   effort by the Eccles School to provide the best opportunities
           It provides founders with the know-how, mentoring and support   possible for aspiring entrepreneurs.
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