Start-up in Namibia
In Namibia, preconditions for start-ups remain inadequate. Support structures by the government are promising but still in their very early stages. Start-ups that combine technical solutions and traditional industries, and offer innovative products and services to the market have the potential to be key growth drivers for the Namibian economy. Start-ups do not only create new jobs but bring new ideas to the table, which are much needed to stir innovation and generate competition in order to foster economic growth. The GIZ project Start-up Namibia aimed at improving conditions for the establishment and growth of start-ups in selected regions. GIZ built a Start-up Incubation and Innovation Centre in the capital city Windhoek. In addition, mobile outreach units brought the services closer to start-ups located in the regions.
The Start-up Center acted as a business incubator and served as a "one-stop-shop" for all the needs of a start-up in its ideation, establishment and growth phases. At the same time, the center unleashed the entrepreneurial spirit of the Namibian people through showcasing success stories, national visibility and basic entrepreneurship training. The project also improved access to financial services for start-ups. Collaboration with public and private partners, such as other incubators, universities or financial institutions, expanded the services offered by the incubator and supported the development of the Namibian incubator ecosystem.
