Programme helping small businesses harness cloud-based technology

NINE high potential small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Papua New Guinea are benefiting from the Techlab PNG Accelerator pilot programme supported by the PNG-Australia Partnership.
The 12-month programme has been running since March and teaches businesses how to leverage cloud-based technologies to strengthen their products and services with the aim of growing both PNG’s SME sector and the digital economy.
Charlotte Vada and Fiona Kaumu, co-founders of WinWin Sustainability Solutions, said the key highlight had been building a prototype application to support land management within a week of learning how to use development software. The app represents a new revenue stream for the company, which has already gained interest from customers and partners.
“Techlab provided guidance and support with our business concept, as well as technical advice that enhanced our software and business skills,” Kaumu said.
With the new Coral Sea Cable linking Port Moresby and Sydney, greater internet bandwidth is expected to provide increasing opportunities for emerging tech-focused businesses.
The accelerator programme is tailored to Papua New Guinea’s unique context and challenges, with expert business leaders from Australia working alongside participants as mentors to unlock their potential and establish foundations for success.
Rosemary Benjamin, founder of Allegiance Health, said this meant expanding her service offering to increase the potential reach and profitability of the business.
She said the training had helped her with her business model.