Business Assistance Fiji (BAF) has teamed up with VentureWell and Global Innovation Through Science and Technology (GIST) to host a three-day Investor Readiness Startup Training and Investor Follow-On Training. This event took place from August 5 to 7 at the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa in Nadi, attracting participants from various organizations in Fiji, Tuvalu, Australia, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Kiribati, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea.
The GIST Startup training focused on empowering young innovators and entrepreneurs in science and technology through practical training and mentorship provided by experts from the United States. U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Nauru, and Tuvalu, Marie C. Damour, addressed the initiative, which is supported by the U.S. Department of State, highlighting its intent to enhance connections between Pacific startups and investors while showcasing the potential for green entrepreneurship and impact investing amid climate change challenges faced by the region.
Dr. Rumman Chowdhary, a data scientist with expertise in American politics and economics, emphasized the importance of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) during the training. She shared insights from her work at Accenture and Twitter, stressing the significance of addressing biases and deploying AI solutions responsibly. Dr. Chowdhary encouraged participants to implement strong testing and evaluation processes and develop inclusive approaches to combat issues like gender-based violence and cultural biases in AI.