Small businesses in Kuwait are facing immense challenges during the COVID pandemic, where some companies have been forced shut down while many others are trying their best to adjust to the circumstances. Sensing the urgent need to help small businesses in the creative sector, the British Council in partnership with the British Embassy collaborated with Royal College of Art’s Centre for Enterprise, Entrepreneurship, Incubation, and Business Support (InnovationRCA) to deliver workshops that aim to empower Kuwaiti entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills to make their business more successful and sustainable.
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Spanning two months and featuring six workshops and a networking session, the Creative Entrepreneur Programme took 25 shortlisted entrepreneurs through an intensive course that challenged them to build a resilient business capable of being flexible to survive, and thrive, in these current times. The workshops were led by renowned entrepreneurs and experts such as: Dr Nadia Danhash, Director of InnovationRCA, investor and business developer; Sarah Carroll, Founder of Grow Global; and Stephen Rockman – Angel Investor and Entrepreneur in Residence, InnovationRCA.
The programme built on the findings and recommendations established by the strategic Creative Economy roadmap, which seeks to amend one of the main overall weaknesses: the lack of professional development programmes in Kuwait. The programme provided virtual training for creative sector SMEs on producing new strategies to cope with current challenges, utilizing e-commerce, digital marketing, and new revenue streams. In addition, participants benefited from the exchange of experiences and information between entrepreneurs on obstacles and challenges to starting up and developing their businesses. A key aspect of the programme was supporting the creative sector in Kuwait through facilitating connections within the sector to improve communication and relationships which will ultimately lead to a healthier ecosystem.
The project was designed to equip a cohort of Kuwaiti creative SME owners with skills and knowledge to enable them to think strategically and build sustainable businesses. Utilizing UK expertise, the project supported creative entrepreneurs, not only to survive the current economic crisis, but also to grow strong and sustainable business models that can collaborate with international partners.
For more information about the workshops and speakers, click here.
