Alchemy World candidate entrepreneur selection process

Alchemy World has changed the selection process procedure for candidate entrepreneurs. After long sessions with entrepreneurship-expert Mr. Stephen Whaley (Westminister University, London) the AW Executive team came to the conclusion that the current selection method, which was based mainly on recommendations of local stakeholders such as womens’ and youth associations, local governments and elders, was inadequate. The criteria were that the candidates must have at least a grade 10 education and that they must be from extremely poor backgrounds. To a large extent the selection unfortunately didn’t match the needs of an organization that tries to introduce a pioneering methodology and to promote social entrepreneurship in Ethiopia. Although there have been some brilliant students with real entrepreneurial spirit in our schools there were also students that don’t have the appropriate aptitudes and characteristics.

As of now Alchemy World students will be selected through competition. Before entering the entrepreneurship program they will have to prove that they have the right entrepreneurial mindset. The selection will still focus on extremely poor students with grade 10 education, but the appropriate aptitude will have a bigger influence on the final decision.

Every interested person aged between 18 and 25 that meets our criteria can participate in the competition. Alchemy World will promote the selection date through local advertising, and the usual channels such as womens’ association, youth association and local governments.

The procedure of the selection will be similar to the method used in the workshops. The candidates will be asked to work on a business concept and to show creative problem solving skills or aptitude. The final selection will take a more discriminating view on the candidates’ motivation, drive, ambition, self-confidence, vision and intentions.