From February 9 to 11, the Malagasy capital and 20 other cities in the world, vibrated to the rhythm of the Global Startup Weekend Woman. A weekend during which the women had the opportunity to to show their know-how! NY AHY, a project focused on the creation of make-up, has stood out in Antananarivo…
An innovative idea and 54 hours to turn it into a real business project! This is the challenge that 24 participants, 23 women and one man, set themselves during the weekend of February 9 to 12. The first edition of the Global Startup Weekend Woman Madagascar took place at the American Center Tanjombato in Antananarivo.
The inaugural evening of the competition took place on Friday, February 9 with Hassanein Hiridjee, CEO of AXIAN Group, as guest speaker. Also present was John Harivero RAMAMONJISOA, facilitator of the competition and certified by Techstars. It is to him that we owe the very first Startup Weekend in Madagascar. Lastly, we should mention the coaches who, for 54 hours, accompanied new and innovative projects, without counting their efforts and time.
Supervised by a strong organizing team of volunteers, led by Carole Rakotondrainibe, the 24 participants were divided into 7 project teams. Teams that worked hard and seriously for 54 hours to create innovative entrepreneurial projects. Projects were analyzed under the expert eye of the jury, composed of 11 men and women of reference in Madagascar, true standard-bearers of Malagasy expertise and excellence.
Brilliant teams, but only one winner!
One thing is for sure, this weekend was rich in ideas, each of which deserves to be developed into a startup. However, as in any competition, there must be a winning team… It is the NY AHY project that stood out during the competition by taking the first place on the podium.
The NY AHY project focuses on the creation of a range of make-up products specially formulated and designed for mixed race and black skin. Behind this beauty concept, we find the startup women Yaoudah Tiandragnahary, Hoby Olive Rakotosoa and Hoby Ravelomanantsoa.
The other participating teams did not lose out: in second place on the podium, we find the VOHITSARA project, a company that collects and distributes fresh vegetables and fruit. YUMICIOUS took third place. This project involves making “minute brownies” at home. The jury’s favourite, ZARIZEN, is a project for intelligent and ecological indoor vegetable gardens.
This marathon weekend was a real success thanks to all the participants who used, tried, tested, lived with the organizers a real tidal wave of creativity, stress, surpassing oneself, discovery of others and sharing.
Next step, PARIS !
A world marathon weekend doesn’t stop there! The next stage of this Global Startup Weekend Woman will be held in the French capital, where all the winners from the participating cities of the world will meet. A great meeting of the winners that translates into a worldwide competition, as they will compete to designate the best entrepreneurial project.
It will be the team of the NY AHY project, to defend the colors of Madagascar against more than 20 countries! An adventure that promises to bring great benefits…
Among the participating cities, we find Sacramento: 25 pitches, 10 projects selected, Algeria: 33 pitches, 12 projects selected, Aba (Nigeria): 17 pitches, 10 projects selected, Macao: 21 pitches, 9 projects selected, Bordeaux: 15 pitches, 8 projects selected and Dakar with 26 pitches, 11 projects selected.
This global startup competition saw for the first time the participation of 90% of women, including students, mothers, employees, from all walks of life, full of dreams and creativity.
With such participation and enthusiasm to undertake, the future can only look very promising!
