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02/09/2021

University Students and Graduates in Botswana Selected to Join HB Antwerp Innovation Lab

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Antwerp and Gaborone, September 2, 2021 – We are proud to announce the selection of 30 soon-to-be and recent Engineering and Technology graduates to participate in the inaugural session of the HB Antwerp Innovation Lab. The program kicks off on 03 September 2021, in partnership with boutique incubator WomHub. HB Antwerp Innovation Lab is a comprehensive training program intended to cultivate sector-specific skills and attract local talent for HB Antwerp’s operations facility in Botswana.

Participant benefits include:

  1. Access to resources on innovation, leadership and intrapreneurial skills.
  2. Enhanced confidence in public speaking and networking.
  3. A greater understanding of the practical applications of engineering.
  4. The opportunity to be recruited by HB Antwerp upon completion of the program in January 2022.

“We are delighted to introduce the HB Antwerp Innovation Lab, a program that aims to equip the next generation of local talent in Botswana with the skills and opportunities to become part of the diamond’s journey, contributing to the ecosystem while at the same time shaping the future of the industry. Our vision at HB Antwerp is to create a meaningful, positive local impact by providing not only training but also jobs as we look to usher in the next generation of skilled professionals in the diamond industry. We are particularly focused on supporting innovation and creating gender parity in the sector. Women are historically underrepresented in technical roles within our industry. To enact change, we are partnering with WomHub to build a more representative talent pipeline by engaging young women in Engineering and Technology careers,” said Margaux Donckier, Director of Communications & External Affairs, HB Antwerp.

“We are excited to welcome this cohort of high potential future leaders and innovators onto the HB Antwerp Innovation Lab. Our mission at WomHub is to foster African entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship and innovation – particularly amongst women – within the context of the future world of work. We believe that this program will help equip this group of young people to thrive in their future work environment and beyond,” said Naadiya Moosajee, Co-Founder of WomHub.

About HB Antwerp

Founded in 2020 by a group of individuals who are passionate about fostering a more transparent, sustainable approach to diamonds and an appreciation for the heritage of these precious gems, HB Antwerp revels in the natural beauty while also bringing clarity to the diamond business. HB Antwerp prides itself on pioneering the first closed, end-to-end supply chain in the business. Every step of the HB Antwerp process occurs within the HB ecosystem and is closely annotated in a sophisticated blockchain, documenting the history of each and every diamond, from mine to market.

About WomHub

WomHub is a boutique pan-African incubator for female led innovation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Manufacturing). WomHub works to design and implement programs for clients which provide a holistic offering of business services with the purpose of building diverse supply chains, entrepreneurship ecosystems and workforce ready for the future. ​