Successful applicants for PNG’s inaugural Techlab Accelerator 2019 have been announced following a competitive process that included over 50 local businesses vying for a place in the program.
Techlab is an Australian government initiative, designed to develop businesses that leverage technology. Its focus is to support entrepreneurship and develop digital skills to integrate into the global marketplace through the use of emerging technology.
The Techlab Accelerator 2019 will work with SMEs developing new products or services that will enrich PNG’s wider technology ecosystem.
Participants will receive mentoring and business development from a range of local and international consultants across 2019, with the aim of helping to position PNG well for the digital future.
Speaking at the official launch, held in Port Moresby on 5 February and attended by applicants and distinguished guests, Techlab Director Andy Barker said: “We are amazed at the level and quality of response of the applicants”.
“The depth of the field made our job of selecting only eight so difficult we made the decision to extend the program to accept 10 SMEs.”
The successful Techlab Accelerator 2019 applicants announced are Afore Computer Training Institute (Patricia Aimapa); Allegiance Health (Rosemary Benjamin); Emstret Holdings Ltd (Vani Nades); FoT-RES (Max Puritau); In4net (Priscilla Kevin); Masalai Communications (Emmanuel Narokobi); Paradise Private Hospital (Sasha Pei-Silovo); ReferTech (Patrick Koliwan and David Valentine); Virtual Assistant PNG (Lynald Naig); and Win Win Sustainability Solutions (Fiona Kaumu and Charlotte Vada).
“Being selected for Techlab is a wonderful opportunity and I am super excited about what I can gain from it to build my growing business,” said Vani Nades from Emstret Holdings Ltd.
According to Max Puritau from Fot-RES, being selected for the Techlab Accelerator means, “There is a huge opportunity for PNG SMEs to increase standards and showcase our talent, as well as be exposed to a high level of technological application.”
Beyond the Accelerator program, Techlab will also host a series of seminars, networking events, and a boot camp open to all local businesses.
In the words of Techlab Accelerator participant, Rosemary Benjamin from Allegiance Health, “I think technology should be seen as a tool to empower people. Over time I believe this will shape the society we want to live in.”
You can find out more at Techlabpng.com
(The launch of Techlab was held in Port Moresby on February 5th and attended by dignitaries and members of PNG’s growing technology community)