Saturday, August 22, 2015

Press Release & Video: Paraguay Emprende National Workshop 2015








August 21, 2015

Paraguay Emprende is celebrating the successful conclusion of the 2015 National Workshop and Business Plan Competition which took place from August 13 to 15 in the city of Luque near the capitol, Asunción.  The national workshop and business plan competition was made possible by the collaborative efforts of Peace Corps Paraguay, the Secretary of Youth of the Paraguayan National Government, the Cooperativa Universitaria and the Asociación de Jóvenes Empresarios, a non-profit network of young entrepreneurs.

The 2015 theme “Realizar Tus Sueños,” or “Realize Your Dreams,” highlighted the possibility for Paraguayan youth to convert their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.  The activities at the three-day workshop concentrated on promoting the entrepreneurial spirit, and specifically focused on business plan implementation, networking and financing.  These topics were enriched by the expertise of Paraguayan organizations such as KOGA, a social enterprise incubator, and Fundación CIRD, an economic development non-profit.

57 youth participants representing 11 departments of Paraguay presented their business plans, which had been developed over the past several months in Paraguay Emprende’s “Construye Tus Sueños,” or “Build Your Dreams,” entrepreneurship courses.  The participants valiantly pitched their business ideas to Paraguayan business professionals who acted as judges to determine the viability of each project.  PYG$84.000.000 was awarded in seed funding to the 30 participants who’s business plans were most likely to yield sustainable businesses and a positive community impact.

Paraguay Emprende will now move forward with the follow-up stage of its program cycle by providing the seed funding winners mentoring and consulting services.  To conclude the National Workshop, winners we paired with Paraguayan mentors who over the next year will provide their specific industry expertise, support and perspective to each young entrepreneur, in order to help them successfully navigate the challenges of establishing a successful and sustainable business in Paraguay.

For more information, please find Paraguay Emprende on Facebook, visit our website at www.pyemprende.wordpress.com or send us an email at pyemprende@gmail.com