The classrooms are buzzing with innovation as the bootcamp for the 20 preselected candidates of the 5th edition of Digital Innovation Week 2026 unfolds.

More than a preparation for the competition, the bootcamp is serving as a school where Cameroon’s future tech entrepreneurs are acquiring the knowledge, practical skills, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.Guided by experienced facilitators, participants are steadily refining their projects ahead of the next stage of the competition—the pitch session on Thursday July 30th, 2026.

For the past two days, the young innovators have been immersed in an intensive learning experience focused on strengthening their entrepreneurial skills and improving the quality of their projects. The training aligns with the vision of Digital Innovation Week 2026, held under the theme “Protecting Cyberspace from the Misuse of Artificial Intelligence and Promoting Digital Patriotism,” by encouraging participants to develop responsible digital solutions that contribute to a safer and more inclusive digital environment.

The sessions have equipped candidates with essential tools in project development, leadership, startup management, and business structuring. Through practical exercises, they have learned how to refine their ideas, understand their markets, identify customers, and build sustainable business models using approaches such as the Business Model Canvas.

The bootcamp also focused on fundraising, financial forecasting, communication, and pitching strategies. Participants learned the basics of attracting investment, preparing financial projections, and presenting their innovations with confidence to potential investors and the grand jury. Facilitators also emphasized the importance of formally registering businesses to benefit from available tax incentives.

The exchange with former laureates, including a previous winner of the President’s Prize, offered valuable insights into the entrepreneurial journey and encouraged candidates to remain committed to their ambitions.

Speaking during an interview, Bootcamp Coordinator Mr. Abega Moussa, who has coordinated the programme for the past five years, described this edition as one of the best bootcamps he has witnessed. “What makes this edition exceptional is the team spirit among the participants,” he said, noting that despite their young age—between 19 and 25 years, they have demonstrated remarkable commitment, curiosity, and a strong willingness to learn.

Mr. Abega Moussa also praised the candidates' ability to quickly assimilate new concepts and their collaborative approach with facilitators throughout the training. He expressed confidence in the quality of the facilitators, describing them as highly qualified professionals whose expertise guarantees an enriching learning experience. “Considering the quality of the training and the facilitators, I am confident that by the end of the bootcamp, the projects will be of excellent quality,” he affirmed.

As the candidates prepare for Thursday’s grand jury pitch session, the bootcamp continues to reinforce Digital Innovation Week’s role as a platform for nurturing innovation, promoting responsible digital transformation, and developing Cameroon’s next generation of digital entrepreneurs.