Deadline: 1 June 2025
Australia’s Strongim Bisnis and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour, and Immigration (MCILI) have launched the Iumi Gro Business Accelerator to help small businesses in the Solomon Islands grow, with a focus on those owned by or employing women, youth, and people with disabilities.
The Iumi Gro program will culminate in a Shark Tank-style event, where participants will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges. The top five businesses will each receive up to $100,000 (SBD) in investment each. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration will also award non-monetary prizes to the five runner-ups to support their business growth.
Benefits
- The program includes:
- Three weeks of in-person training on business strategy, finance, marketing, branding, and HR. This training will take place 3 days a week, 6 hours per day.
- Four months of interactive classroom sessions, where participants will join live training led by an International Lead Trainer, with the sessions held virtually. The classroom will be available for in-person participation, creating an engaging, shared learning environment. These sessions will take place twice a week, lasting 2 hours each.
- Networking opportunities hosted by MCILI, connecting businesses with potential partners, mentors, and opportunities for growth.
- The Iumi Gro program will culminate in a Shark Tank-style event, where participants will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges. The top five businesses will each receive up to $100,000 (SBD) in investment each. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration will also award non monetary prizes to the five runner-ups to support their business growth
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Formally established business (operating for at least 1-2 years).
- A proven track record of growth and profitability since inception.
- Demonstrated entrepreneurship, ambition and commitment to business growth.
- Innovation in product, service, or business model.
- Willingness to fully engage in training and mentoring.
- Focus on cross-cutting areas such as GEDSI and climate resilience.
- Demonstrate commitment and capacity for growth, including investment in their business, proven profitability, and operation within a sector with strong growth potential.
- Readiness and verifiable commitment to apply program learnings to improve business operation
For more information, visit Strongim Bisnis.
