News from the Network: Students Attend Ryerson University DMZ Sandbox Basecamp

The Aga Khan Academies are once again collaborating with Ryerson University in the Ryerson DMZ Basecamp programme. Young entrepreneurs will spend 6 weeks in an intensive boot camp to develop, market and accelerate their business ideas. Students will participate in seminars covering different aspects of starting a successful business for example sales, marketing and negotiation. They will gain valuable feedback from industry experts, influencers and veteran entrepreneurs. Students can benefits from one to one sessions with investors to gain an understanding of the investment landscape, as well as access exclusive networking events.

Aspiring attendees of the Basecamp programme competed for this opportunity by creating a proposal for an entrepreneurial enterprise. They had to provide a technological solution to a compelling industry problem, as well as showing drive and innovation. Examples of submissions from the Academies include new technology powered by solar energy to help blind people, and an events planning agency which would donate all profits to a local orphanage.  At the end the programme, students will have a comprehensive business idea which is ready for launch into the market. 

Ryerson University is located in the heart of Toronto and prides itself on giving students knowledge of real world situations. Ryerson is providing 12 fellowships over three years for Academies students and faculty to attend the Ryerson DMZ Sandbox Basecamp. The collaboration came about in 2017 following a visit by Mohamed Lachemi, president and vice-chancellor of Ryerson University, to the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad. Students from last year found the programme to be invaluable and felt it would help them achieve great things in years to come. 

This year, 3 students from the Aga Khan Academies will be attending; Raphael Mwachiti and Samiha Mattar from the Academy in Mombasa and Anaya Shah from the Academy in Hyderabad.