YULCOM Technologies launches the largest pan-African incubator of 3D cinema, video games and artificial intelligence companies in Ouagadougou.
As part of the fiftieth anniversary of the African Cinema Biennale, YULCOM Technologies Canada in partnership with FESPACO has launched a 2D and 3D video game and cinema business incubator called “STARPLACE”. The launch ceremony took place this Friday, March 1, 2019 in Ouagadougou.
“Our idea of creating a video game and artificial intelligence company is explained by the fact that we wanted to offer spaces and tools to young creators. Also, we want to meet a requirement that is to help define African culture in the digital age » explains Youmani Jérôme Lankoandé, CEO of YUCOM technologies Canada.
The creation of this space, Starplace, therefore aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the 2D and 3D cinema, video games, virtual reality and artificial intelligence industries. Thus was born a space of creation, exchange and meeting for young people.
This initiative was appreciated by the Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism Abdoul Karim SANGO who says he sees in Mr. Youmani Jérôme LANKOANDÉ, the initiator of the incubator, a model of young people to take as an example.
This ceremony was an opportunity for the organizers to present prizes to the winners of the entrepreneurship competition organized by YULCOM. Agreements were also signed between FESPACO and the YULCOM technologies structure and between YULCOM technologies and the Agency for Training and Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises.
This ceremony was an opportunity for the organizers to present prizes to the winners of the entrepreneurship competition organized by YULCOM. Agreements were also signed between FESPACO and the YULCOM technologies structure and between YULCOM technologies and the Agency for Training and Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises.
The launch of this incubator was made in the presence of other personalities, the Minister of Trade, Harouna KABORE, the president of the Superior Council of Communication of Burkina, Mathias TANKOANO, and the fifth Vice-president of the National Assembly, the deputy Abdoulaye MOSSE. The ceremony was attended by Ms. Nancy J. Foster, Head of Cooperation of the Embassy of Canada in Burkina Faso, representing the Ambassador of Canada to Burkina.
The incubator has offices for accelerating start-ups, a co-working space for incubating start-ups, a multifunctional room for video game testing, and virtual reality, video projection and video streaming equipment for training.
STARPLACE LAB conducted from February 24 to 28, 2019, the 1st intensive training course in video game development, for the benefit of 45 developers and graphic designers from Burkina Faso and the sub-region. The selection of candidates followed a call for applications which made it possible to receive applications from all over the continent. This training is provided by a team of expert trainers led by Mr. Peter Boulos from the video game development studio Lionx Media Studio in Montreal.
As a reminder, YULCOM Technologies Inc. has a representation in Burkina Faso which offers digital engineering services to several institutions, international organizations and foreign companies based in Burkina Faso.
Source: FESPACO.BF et YULCOM Technologies
LAUNCH CEREMONY PHOTOS
Signature of partnership memoranda of understanding between YULCOM Technologies and FESPACO, and between YULCOM Technologies and AFP-PME du Burkina
Greetings after signing the partnership agreement with FESPACO
The Burkina Minister of Commerce, the Minister of Culture, and the President of the Higher Communication Council of Burkina (from left to right)
The Mayor of the city of Ouagadougou, the CEO of YULCOM Technologies Canada, the CEO of FESPACO (from left to right)
The Jury in interview with a group participating in the Hackathon
STARPLACE LAB launch ceremony