The country office of Google has held a business session for 50 start-ups, with the aim of equipping them with skills they need to build and upscale their businesses.

The session was part of the global celebration of Google for Entrepreneurs (GFE), an event held across 110 countries that seeks to grow entrepreneurial communities while equipping entrepreneurs with skills and resources to pursue their ideas.

According to Google Country Manager Estelle Akofio-Sowah, “Google began as a start-up, and start-up remains at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to helping build a vibrant and diverse ecosystem for start-ups and enabling current and future entrepreneurs to be successful.”

The speed-mentoring format of the event allowed participants to break into smaller groups and interact with mentors in five challenging areas of entrepreneurship. Participants got the chance to ask specific questions about their own businesses while gaining from the experiences of their mentors.

“We are hopeful that these businesses will be inspired as some of their immediate questions and challenges have been addressed by the mentors. Of course, the initiatives are for the individual to take after being provided with such business advice.

“But once we meet like this they (start-ups) become part of our community, and they can continue to engage with us; and we will also continue to inspire them around some of the key products we are focusing on,” she told the B&FT.

Google West Africa Communication and PR Manager Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade said in a press statement that “SMEs are the strength of economies around the world. They help ‘oil’ a nation’s commercial system. Our hope is that all these programmes give Ghanaian businessowners more opportunities and leverage for success”.

Last year, 3,000 entrepreneurs attended Google for Entrepreneurs’ Week events in 29 cities across 14 countries.

The internet search giant has demonstrated its commitment to supporting Ghanaian SMEs and entrepreneurs by recognising six “Innovation Heroes” for using the Internet to deliver smart technological solutions to existing issues.

Google has also launched the Africa Connected initiative -- a competition that gives five people a chance to win US$25,000 each, as well as an opportunity to work with a Google sponsor over a six-month period to drive the growth of their businesses.