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Comms on the move keep African entrepreneurs connected

Inmarsat is joining forces with non-profit organisation Ampion to help entrepreneurs create ICT start-ups across Africa.

Ampion’s Venture Bus programme puts tech experts from across the world together with talented young African men and women on a five-day road trip during which they work together to develop innovative solutions to local challenges and turn business ideas into real projects.

Inmarsat is providing BGAN voice and broadband comms on the move for the four bus tours taking place before the end of the year, enabling the teams to carry out research as they travel.

Stay connected

The reliable, global 3G IP Inmarsat network will keep the buses connected as they travel through all four corners of the continent.

In total 180 people will take part – half from Africa, half from the rest of the world. Participants bring sound knowledge in IT, web design, new media and business development.

As the Ebola crisis continues to focus the world’s attention on West Africa, this year’s Venture Bus programme will look at developing mobile applications either tackling the outbreak directly or facilitating the work of international humanitarian and health institutions.

Innovation centres

Driving through 16 African countries, the participants will meet leading experts and visit renowned innovation centres along the way.

The pilot bus in 2013 created three successful start-ups tailored for the African market – an eLearning mobile education system, a platform bringing together job seekers and employers, and a crowdsourcing app to tackle corruption.

Ampion’s founder and Managing Director, Fabian-Carlos Guhl, said:  “Ampion, together with its partners, empowers entrepreneurial minds all over Africa to become successful change-makers in their communities. Sponsoring and partnering with us is an investment into the African mobile technology, start-ups and ICT space of tomorrow – and the creative entrepreneurs behind it.”