The applications for the Alibaba eFounder Fellowship program are now open for developing countries including Pakistan. In order to create and empower 1000 platform builders from developing countries who can leverage Alibaba’s experience in China, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Alibaba Business School are inviting applications for their eFounder program.
The fellowship is a two-week long course for entrepreneurs in developing countries who are running open, platform-based businesses in the e-commerce, logistics, big data, and tourism spaces. Throughout the program, participants will receive first-hand exposure and learning opportunities about e-commerce innovations from China and around the world that enabled growth and created a development model for all.
At the fellowship, entrepreneurs will also be provided with tools to improve their own startups and businesses. However, as pioneers of the ‘New Economy’ participants will be expected to introduce new ways and ideas to approach commerce in their own markets.
The objectives of the fellowship are as follows: To identify and select high-potential entrepreneurs who can lead and become builders of a new e-commerce ecosystem in their country; To empower the participants to implement the gained knowledge in their home countries and also inspire others to embrace the new economy paradigm; and to help create a local community of e-commerce champions who can support one another and continue to nurture the development of their ecosystems to ensure a sustainable impact within their markets.
Earlier this year four entrepreneurs from Pakistan were part of Alibaba e-Founders Fellowship Program that took place from the 24th of March to 4th of April at the Alibaba Campus in Hang Zhou. The individuals who made it to the program include: Anum Kamran, CEO of Buyon.pk; Furquan Kidwai, CEO of Dawaai.pk & Well.pk; M Komail Naqvi, Co-Founder of FindMyAdventure.PK; and Hamza Iftikhar, Co-Founder of DealSmash.
Entrepreneurs in the digital and technology space operating open platforms related to eCommerce, Logistics, Fintech, Big Data or Tourism are eligible to apply. The Founders or co-founders of an officially registered digital technology venture should be in one of the following countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam; Female entrepreneurs are strongly encouraged to apply. Entrepreneurs under the age of 35 will be preferred.
The applications for the eFounders Fellowship program are open until September 2nd, 2018. The program will be scheduled to take place from 9th – 23rd November 2018 at Alibaba Xixi campus in Hangzhou, China.
The course is to consist of a structured series of classroom workshops and lectures, site visits and a business hackathon. The course tuition, accommodation and meals will be covered for the selected candidates, however, the participants will be expected to apply and pay for their visa application and travel to and from Hangzhou, China. To facilitate the visa application, a letter of support for a visa request will be provided by UNCTAD.
