By Kelvin Ololo
A Cross River based Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) investors, Stridevest Company Limited, has set up a scheme to help business owners pitch, nurture, grow and gain financial support to reduce unemployment in the state.
Unveiling the financial empowerment program in Calabar, the Chief Executive Officer, Stridevest Company limited, Wilson Obidi, explained that it is set up to help business owners in Cross River State and Nigeria at large scale through with their business ideas by providing them with strategic funding and growth support.
“We are not giving out grants and loans, we are rather investing in SME companies for a portion of an equity from them. For us to invest, we have to believe in the vision and the vision caster. They have to convince us that they know exactly what their vision entails.”
Obidi revealed that, the scheme which is aim at reducing unemployment, is open to all kind of businesses and offers SMEs to those who apply through their website the opportunity to synergize with experts in various business environments as well as professional mentorship programs for a viable business.
On the Company’s equity and method of partnership with SME owners, the Head of Legal, Barr. Christal Ogar Tawo explained that “Stridevest will co-own the business with business owners to enable owners get registered, educated, mentored and monitor their growth, while the range of percentage share will be based on the level of the company involvement in the business and the business agreement reached with the actual business owner.”
The Company which kick-started it first program for the year is set to work with government, institutions, none governmental organizations and individuals in utilizing and coordinating empowerment programs across the country.
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