The Branson Scholarship Program (BSP) is organised in parntership with the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in South Africa. The aim of the Branson Scholarship Program is to develop Liberian enterprenurs that will act as a catalyst to spearhead the development and acceleration of a viable private sector-led economy in Liberia. The challenge of job creation and subsequent economic development can
best be realized in an entrepreneurial environment that empowers a large proportion of the Liberian population. Successful entrepreneurs provide benefits not only to their immediate families and communities, but contribute significantly to the economic growth and continued development of the entire country. The overall goal of the program is to enable Liberian entrepreneurs to take their businesses to the next level of expansion, growth and success for the benefit of Liberians and the Liberian economy. The Branson Scholarship Program (BSP) supports Liberian entrepreneurs by offering:
An advanced business training programme
Access to a community of mentors, role models, industry experts and business networks
Access to facilities and online resources
Ongoing support and advice to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses efficiently and effectively
Business development training at the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in South Africa
Expert forums to get business success insights from government agencies and industry experts
Access to local and international investors for potential funding opportunities
The Branson Scholarship Program in Liberia is supported by Virgin Unite®, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group. Funding is also being provided by Humanity United, a U.S.-based foundation dedicated to building peace and advancing human freedom. Additional technical support is provided by the Business Start-up Centre (BSC), Spark Netherlands, and Building Markets. Virgin Unite® believes that business can and must be a force for good in the world – and that this is also good for business. In this spirit, it unites great people and entrepreneurial ideas, reinventing how we live and work to make people’s lives better. One of Virgin Unite’s premier global leadership initiatives is the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship – South Africa, an independent centre of entrepreneurial expertise.
