Business Assistance Fiji (BAF) has partnered with VentureWell and Global Innovation Through Science and Technology (GIST) to conduct a three-day Investor Readiness Startup Training and Investor Follow-On Training. The event took place from August 5-7 at the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa in Nadi. Participants included representatives from various countries, including Fiji, Tuvalu, Australia, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Kiribati, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea, according to a statement from BAF.
The GIST Startup training aimed to empower young innovators and entrepreneurs in science and technology through practical training and mentorship from US experts. US Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Nauru, and Tuvalu, Marie C. Damour, highlighted the initiative, which is sponsored by the US Department of State, as a way to strengthen connections between Pacific startups and investors. She also pointed out the significant opportunities that green entrepreneurship and impact investing present, especially in light of the climate change challenges facing Pacific economies.
Dr. Rumman Chowdhary, a data scientist with experience in American politics and economics, discussed the importance of responsible AI to ensure that technology serves its users effectively. With her background at Accenture and Twitter, she noted the critical need to address biases in AI and to promote the development of solutions that incorporate diverse global perspectives. Dr. Chowdhary urged participants to establish robust testing and evaluation practices as well as to create inclusive solutions to combat issues such as gender-based violence and cultural biases in AI.