Business Assistance Fiji (BAF) has partnered with VentureWell and Global Innovation Through Science and Technology (GIST) to host a three-day Investor Readiness Startup Training and Investor Follow-On Training. The event took place from August 5 to 7 at the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa in Nadi, with attendees representing organizations from Fiji, Tuvalu, Australia, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Kiribati, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea, according to a statement from BAF.
The GIST Startup training was designed to empower young innovators and entrepreneurs in the fields of science and technology through practical training and mentorship provided by experts from the US.
US Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Nauru, and Tuvalu, Marie C. Damour, was the chief guest and noted that the initiative, funded by the US Department of State, aims to build stronger connections between Pacific startups and investors. She highlighted the significant potential of green entrepreneurship and impact investing, particularly in light of the climate challenges facing Pacific economies.
“Through GIST, we aim to support innovations led by the Pacific that address regional challenges, especially in sustainability and equitable development,” she stated.
Dr. Rumman Chowdhary, a data scientist experienced in American politics and economics, addressed the importance of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) and ensuring that technology benefits users universally.
“From my experience at Accenture and Twitter, I’ve recognized the critical need to address biases and scale AI solutions responsibly,” she explained.
Dr. Chowdhary urged participants to implement strong testing and evaluation protocols as well as create inclusive solutions to combat issues like gender-based violence and cultural biases in AI.