According to the Tunisian Agency of Promotion and Innovation (Agence de Promotion de l ’innovation (API), 80% of newly created businesses declare bankruptcy after 2-3 years of existence. In addition to this many early and growth stage companies lack resources to scale their companies and this is even more the case in cities outside of the capital, Tunis.
Thus CEED launched a new initiative to reach entrepreneurs outside of the capital of Tunisia,Tunis in partnership with USAID. The objective of this effort is to empower up to 430 startups and entrepreneurs, including at least 30 young entrepreneurs, early stage and growth stage entrepreneurs to both sustain their companies and increase the number of jobs created. CEED Tunisia will reach out to entrepreneurs from 14 governates including: Gafsa, Medenine, Tataouine, Tozeur, Kasserine, Gabes, Beja, Kebili, Kairouane, Jandouba, Siliana, El Kef, Zahgouan and Sidi Bouzid. The cities where selected based on the need for entrepreneurial services. Startups will benefit from the Go-To-Market program, a 6 week accelerated training course covering the development of a marketing plan, a strategic plan, sales techniques, presentation of the company and understanding of profitability. In addition to the trainings, CEED will host ‘pitching sessions’ with potential investors from the banking and investment sectors. Growth stage entrepreneurs will benefit from a Grow program, a 72 workshops training course covering the development of a marketing plan, a strategic plan, sales techniques, presentation of the project and understanding of scaling strategies. As always, CEED aims to help entrepreneurs increase high quality jobs and increase their revenue in order to have a greater impact on their community.
