On the 24th of March 2011, Derrydean Dadzie, Ashesi Alum and CEO of DreamOval Ltd, was awarded the 2011 Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Youth Excellence Awards.
At 28 years old, Derrydean Dadzie is one of Africa's youngest CEOs. His company, DreamOval Ltd, is already rubbing shoulders with top Ghanaian businesses to develop high quality software services for the region. Derrydean has been touted as part of Africa's emerging class of young entrepreneurs who are producing innovative new products which are spurring development on the continent.
The Young Entrepreneur Award recognizes outstanding young entrepreneurs who have distinguished themselves in business leadership, creativity, innovation and community involvement. Mr. Dadzie received the award on the merit of his work in founding and leading DreamOval Limited to become one of the most recognized software companies in Ghana.
In his acceptance speech Derrydean, encouraged more young persons to take business risks. He deplored the tendency for young people to take immigration risk as opposed to business risk. He called on stakeholders, including the government and educational institutions, to create an enabling environment for young people in Ghana to begin new business ventures.
The Youth Excellence Awards is an initiative of WAVES international and its partner (KAMPAC GROUP, Dubai). It was established to recognize and appreciate young people and their initiatives across the country. The primary goal of the award is to promote and instill leadership, entrepreneurship and professionalism among young people.
Waves International is a youth oriented non-profit organization established to empower the youth of Africa with tools and techniques geared towards the eradication of poverty among the young people on the continent through mentoring.
DreamOval was founded by four Ashesi University Alumni in April 2007. The company provides internet and mobile software services for businesses and individuals. Some of their products include, an online payment and money transfer system, mobile banking solutions, SMS distribution and management systems and a mobile application to aid nurses working in rural environments. DreamOval clients include Fidelity Bank, CAL Bank, Ashesi University and the Grameen Foundation.