Yasika: the second edition is brought to life with the bootcamp

Building on the success of its inaugural edition, Joule has launched the second edition of Yasika in Brazzaville, the entrepreneurial incubation and development program aimed at Congolese entrepreneurs.

The second edition builds on the strong results achieved in the first cycle and reflects a growing engagement from the national startup ecosystem. More than 160 applications were received, up from 130 in the previous edition. Over 85% of applicants were young people aged 18 to 35, with project ideas focused primarily on agritech, the circular economy, and digital solutions, confirming the increasing interest in sustainable development models and forms of innovation adapted to the local context.

The initiative promoted the activation of a network of stakeholders, with over 70 organisations mapped and over 30 partners involved in the program's support and promotion activities. Yasika is part of a broader framework of cooperation with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises of the Republic of the Congo, launched in 2025 to structurally strengthen the national entrepreneurial ecosystem and foster sustainable growth and innovation in the country.

Yasika's activities will involve 35 entrepreneurs and founders and will be divided into two distinct tracks: an incubation program for the 13 selected startups and an upskilling pathway for 22 participants. The program kicked off with a three-day introductory bootcamp held from 4 to 6 May, aimed at refining business ideas and strengthening core entrepreneurial skills. The program will then continue in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online sessions, in order to ensure continuity and flexibility in the support offered. The program also includes co-innovation activities with local partners, to develop concrete solutions aligned with local needs.

Through Yasika, Joule reaffirms its commitment to nurturing local entrepreneurial talent and promoting innovation as a key driver of sustainable development, helping to address the country's energy and environmental challenges.

The initiative is carried out in collaboration with Cariplo Factory, an innovation hub, and Seedstars, a global organisation supporting technology-driven entrepreneurship, together with the NGOs AVSI and BeEntrepreneurs.