The Botho University Entrepreneurship Lab (Elab) was launched in June 2016 by the CEDA CEO, Mr. Thabo Thamane, to provide a space where students across the curricular spectrum can come together and share ideas, access resources, and come up with innovative approaches to problem solving. The launch was graced by stakeholders from the industry including banks, business owners and the government. The Elab operates from the Botho University, Gaborone Campus in Botswana and is managed by the Student and Alumni Affairs Department (SAAD).
The Elab is like an in-house incubator which supports students, graduate entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. Student and graduate entrepreneurs are selected to be a part of the Elab after a rigorous process where their idea or business is vetted by experts from the industry and academia. Those selected become members or Elab Residents. Every year the Elab supports about 5 Elab residents.
The ELab was established with the following in mind:
The Elab offers the following major activities to selected student and graduate entrepreneurs: