The Idea Battle – Business Idea Competition, held on 24th November 2024 as part of the Maldives’ inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW). This exciting event brought together eight talented teams, each presenting innovative business ideas to a panel of distinguished judges, highlighting creativity, ingenuity, and the entrepreneurial spirit.

Participating Teams and Their Concepts:

• Puddles & Pages Book Café – A cozy café offering curated books and snacks, creating a haven for readers and fostering a love for reading.

• Marketing Agency for Local Guesthouses – A specialized agency providing tailored marketing solutions to enhance the visibility of local guesthouses in the Maldives.

• Fishing App – A mobile application revolutionizing traditional fishing practices with real-time data, weather updates, and market insights.

• Endheyyo Travel App – A comprehensive travel platform offering seamless planning, bookings, and personalized itineraries for travelers in the Maldives.

• People’s NGO Maldives – A non-profit initiative focused on innovative solutions to address social challenges and empower communities.

• SeaSweeper – A sustainable solution for cleaning ocean trash and oil spills, contributing to marine conservation efforts.

• Island Locks Cosmetic Line – A beauty brand offering natural, sustainable cosmetics inspired by island life.

• Kakkakaa Co. – A venture providing locally sourced, sustainable chicken products, promoting food security and supporting local agriculture.

Winners of Idea Battle 2024:

• First Place: Kakkakaa Co.
• Awarded MVR 10,000 for their innovative approach to sustainable poultry farming and local food security.
• Second Place: SeaSweeper
• Received MVR 7,500 for their impactful solution addressing ocean pollution and oil spill management.
• Third Place: Island Locks Cosmetic Line
• Earned MVR 5,000 for their sustainable cosmetic products inspired by island living.

Extensive Training for Winners
In addition to cash prizes, all winning teams will receive six months of extensive training from VIgnite at no cost. This training includes mentorship, skill-building workshops, and resources to further develop and implement their business ideas.

Esteemed Panel of Judges
The event was evaluated by an accomplished panel of judges who brought expertise from diverse industries:

• Dr. Ahsan Jaleel, Associate Dean – QISB, Villa College

• Jasim Janah, Country Director for Maldives, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council

• Ismail Kaleem, Managing Director, Oxiqa

• Ayesh Nurain Janah, Founder/Director, Rehendhi Consulting; Chair, Kandūfā Foundation; Group Vice Chair, HARIM

• Yumna Rasheed, Founder/Owner, The Gift Basket Maldives

• Ali Hisam, Head of Growth Innovation and Product Innovation, Dhiraagu

• Ahmed Yaamin Mohamed, Global Partnerships Lead, LottieFiles; Co-Founder, Sparkhub

• Hussain Nuwaas, Assistant Manager, Strategic Development and Regional Services, Business Center Corporation

• Dr. Sivakumar Thankaraj Ambujam, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Villa College

Special Thanks

A heartfelt thank you to Kanishka Weeramunda and Chamathkaa Jayasekera from SquareHub Sri Lanka for their invaluable role in facilitating the Idea Battle. Their expertise and guidance provided participants with a transformative learning experience and helped ensure the success of the competition.

Celebrating Innovation and Inspiring the Future

The Idea Battle 2024 was a vibrant showcase of the entrepreneurial talent in the Maldives. It provided participants with a platform to pitch their ideas, receive valuable feedback, and refine their concepts. The event emphasized collaboration, innovation, and sustainability, aligning with Villa College’s commitment to fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.