PEAK Tajikistan and the University of Central Asia (UCA) have launched ‘Grow Your Business’ accelerator program, whch will be delivered jointly by the PEAK Bishkek Business Innovation Center and the University of Central Asia's School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE).
Applications for participation in the program are accepted from August 8, 2002 to August 31, 2020.
For the first group of the program, the Selection Committee will select 20-25 entrepreneurs needing structured training and support for development of their businesses.
The program focuses on attracting business from the following sectors of the economy:
– Food industry;
– Textile industry;
– Health care and social sector (fitness centers, small clinics, beauty salons and so forth)- Other sectors, which are supported by the government or according to PEAK-UCA forecasts, will be in demand due to the COVID-19 impact.
Who Can Apply?
– Enterprise has been operating for at least 12 months and is generating revenue;
– Enterprise has no more than 30 employees;
– Enterprise is registered (individual entrepreneur or LLC).- Enterprise’s activities are not related to alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or cause environmental harm;
– Women and youth are especially encouraged to apply for this program.
The University of Central Asia (UCA) was founded in 2000 as a private, not for profit, secular university through an International Treaty signed by the Presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan, and His Highness the Aga Khan; ratified by their respective parliaments, and registered with the United Nations. The Presidents are Patrons of the University and His Highness is the Chancellor. UCA brings with it the broader commitment and partnership of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
The university focuses on the development of mountain societies.
The PEAK Program is an initiative funded by UK Aid to support the development of stronger, more diversified and inclusive private sectors in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Its key goal is to support the development of startups and to stimulate the sustainable growth of Micro-Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and improve the business advisory services infrastructure.
Targeted outcomes – an increase in the number of (i) successfully supported startups, (ii) resilient and growing MSMEs, and (iii) jobs created, in addition to (iv) an increase in the capacity of local business advisory services providers (BASPs).
The PEAK Program achieves its objectives through: establishing Business Innovation Centers (BICs) – ‘PEAK Centers; improving the quality of business advisory services and mentorship offered to MSMEs and startups; and stimulating business linkages between BASPs and startups / MSMEs.
