The issue of funding has been a constant issue for small business owners in Nigeria for the longest time. Entrepreneurs are always searching for investment and funding opportunities to boost their businesses so with this in mind, MTN recently announced a new campaign called MTN Pulse Blow My Hustle to give N68 million worth of business grants and training to boost the ventures of business owners operating in Nigeria.
With the aim of empowering them with funds in a fun and entertaining approach, the campaign is aimed at showcasing the creativity of young Nigerian business owners.
MTN as a brand, that genuinely cares about young people, their business ideas, development and success, has in the past launched various programmes to support the teeming population of young adults in the country through its MTN Foundation. The newly rolled-out campaign will select 100 small businesses and start-ups that would undergo mentorship and training These candidates will gain access to virtual training on Business Management, Digital Marketing, Financial Literacy, Investment Strategies, Business Legal Requirements, Elevator Pitches amongst others; and tasks will be assigned after each class. The top 20 contestants will be selected based on performance after the two-week training period as finalists who will present their business ideas to a panel of judges, and engage in a brief question and answer session.
According to MTN, the campaign is geared towards further building entrepreneurial skills amongst Nigerian youths and providing them with the right principles to excel in various business industries.
Adia Sowho, MTN’s chief marketing officer, at the MTN Pulse launch event said: “The ‘hustle spirit’ amongst Nigeria’s young people is truly inspiring as they are innovative and entrepreneurial. MTN is here to support that ‘hustle’ so that their dreams can become reality. Young business owners have told us what they need, and with MTN Pulse Blow My Hustle, we will share business skills from experts in relevant fields and create access to financial grants. We look forward to the transformation that this initiative will propel.”
Eligible participants should be between the ages of 16 and 30. To apply, all you have to do is upload a 90 secs video pitch to www.mtn.ng/pulse and fill in your personal information using your MTN phone number. You would be required to select the category that best fits your hustle or business, describe it in 200 words. “Make sure your write-up drives home why your hustle needs to blow!” MTN said.
