PROJECT DESCRIPTION – Challenge
To create an event where International Stakeholders can engage with key Local Startups and Investment Stakeholders in- order to foster future Cross -border collaboration .
PROJECT DETAILS
- Client: Village Capital
- Date : September, 2018
- Project Type : Stakeholder Engagement
Solution
Together with Village Capital we crafted the Entrepreneurs Support Panel a bespoke Knowledge sharing and Networking session with a dual focus on engaging with relevant stakeholders and promote cross-border collaboration
LSW 2018: Village Capital in collaboration with DFID
Village Capital and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) Impact Programme launched VilCap Communities Africa, a programme to equip African entrepreneur ecosystem organisations with the tools, resources and connections they need to catalyze impact investment.
This Startup initiative — aimed to accelerate the flow of capital to early-stage companies in sub-Saharan Africa.
Our Panel’s conversation crafted was centered around an ongoing debate about the Silicon Valley-models being used by accelerators in Africa and whether these prepare entrepreneurs for the realities of operating in African markets.
About the Panel Programme Structure
The panel which consist of mainly African entrepreneurs that had gone through international programs as well as Africa based programs. to discuss share their experiences and highlight possible value proposition
Furthermore, the panel highlighted more out about the journey these entrepreneurs have embarked on completion, as well as how much of their success they attribute to the accelerators.
Attendance
In attendance were entrepreneurs, entrepreneur support organisations (including the first delegation for the VilCap Communities Africa 2018 program including ecosystem builders from Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Uganda and other stakeholders.
Learnings and collaborations
On completion many ecosystem leaders were able to leave with invaluable insight about how the Lagos Startup Ecosystem.
Additionally, given the perfect atmosphere for networking, a lot of potential partners and collaborators met and definitely will go on to build something great together. We pride this in also being a breeding ground for great stuff.
Executive Quote
“The number of incubators and accelerators in Africa has grown exponentially, but the number of successful startups on the continent has not grown at the same rate,” said Rachel Crawford, Innovation Manager for Emerging Markets at Village Capital. “It’s still hard to raise capital and scale a business in too many parts of the continent, and we know that entrepreneurial ecosystem leaders are the key to bridging that gap.”