Meet the 10 African entrepreneurs who will lead Africa’s economy
in the future.
The event which will feature investors
from leading venture capital firms and the media on September 19 and 20th in
Lagos will see them compete for more than $30,000 in cash and prizes.
Non-financial prizes such as
phones and tablets, brand consultation, free office space, access to prominent
venture capitalists and angel investors, as well as additional tools needed in
order to expand their existing start-ups and achieve their business dreams will
also be available for winners.
Winnifred Selby (Afrocentric Bamboo Limited)
A finalist of the Cartier Women’s Award,Winnifred Selby is a 19
year old Set Africa Fellow and Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum. She
is a graduate of the Joy Standard College and outstanding leader and serial
social entrepreneur who has created a team of dedicated young social
entrepreneurs who work together to overcome daily challenges by creating new
commodities and markets for young people.Winnifred serves as the CEO of
Afrocentric Bamboo Limited a Ghana based company that takes advantage of
the abundant bamboo found in Ghana to add value to it to address the
transportation needs of rural dwellers and producing bamboo bike frames for the
international export markets whiles training women entrepreneurs to use bamboo
waste to manufacture charcoal briquettes.
Why did you apply for SheLeadAfrica?
To obtain visibility and the needed investment for the scaling
up of my business.
What do you hope to take away from this exercise?
I hope to build my capacity and improve upon my business
presentation skills, network with female entrepreneurs and investors from other
parts of the continent and the diaspora and take advantage of the tailored
business training and other mentoring and consultancy opportunities offered by
She Leads to take my business to the next level.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Banke Kuku (Founder, Banke Kuku
Textiles)
“I have been fascinated with textiles as far back as I can
remember. I was knitting at age five, I would always pick the floral dresses
and draw patterns on everything with a felt tip pen! So going into the textile
industry was a very natural and easy decision for me.”
Banke Kuku Textiles fuses traditional African and Western
culture to create, intricate, unique and luxurious fabrics for the interior and
fashion industries.
I applied to She Leads Africa for the opportunity to meet likeminded entrepreneurs and the expert panel to further develop my business. I heard about the competition on Facebook.”
I applied to She Leads Africa for the opportunity to meet likeminded entrepreneurs and the expert panel to further develop my business. I heard about the competition on Facebook.”
What do you hope to take away from this opportunity?: A better understanding of
my business model and expert advice from the mentors.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oyindamola Honey Ogundeyi (Founder, Fashpa.com)
Oyindamola Honey Ogundeyi (Founder, Fashpa.com)
“I am the CEO and Founder of Fashpa.com. I have over 10 years
experience in Technology & Consulting, with experience from Global
Companies such as McKinsey & Co, Ericsson and Google.
Fashpa.com is filling the online- fashion gap that exists in
Nigeria by redefining how fashion is accessed. We provide affordable
high-street fashion that is not readily available to offline shoppers.
We sell fashion from local, international brands as well as our own private label and deliver Nationwide in Nigeria.”
We sell fashion from local, international brands as well as our own private label and deliver Nationwide in Nigeria.”
Why did you apply for SheLeadAfrica?: It’s hard enough being an
entrepreneur in Africa and even be more difficult as a women entrepreneur. I
liked the focus that She Leads Africa has on high growth businesses led by
female entrepreneurs in Africa. We have a very ambitious growth plan for
Fashpa.com and it is a great opportunity to get access to a great network of
peer entrepreneurs, investors as well as increase awareness of our brand
Fashpa.
What do you hope to take away from this opportunity?: I look forward to taking
advice, learning and feedback on how to build a successful business in Africa
from a great selection of Investors, Mentors and Business owners as well as
access to a network of female entrepreneurs leading the way in Africa.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth Kperrun (Founder, Lizzie creations): “I am an entrepreneur passionate
about creating a better life for underprivileged women and children. And that
is essentially what Lizzie's Creations is about. We set out to create mobile
applications targeted towards the education and enlightenment of women and
children. And so far, we have developed the award winning app
"AfroTalez"; a story telling app for kids and we are currently
working on the pilot episode of an interactive novel titled
"Choices"”
Why did you apply for the competition?:I applied for She Leads
Africa because being passionate about a cause isn’t enough. We need investors
to help us not only with finance but also marketing and outreach. We also would
love to benefit from the knowledge seasoned entrepreneurs will be bringing to
the grand finale of the contest and the opportunity to meet other women in
tech: to network, encourage and inspire one another.
What do you hope to gain from this opportunity?: I hope to take away a
wealth of knowledge about entrepreneurship and the growth of technology in
Africa and the role women in general and I in particular have to play in this
field.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nour Drissi (Founder, Loue1voiture.com)
“Graduated from a French business school, I have 4 years work
experience in management and marketing (especially in the car hire
sector). I am launching Loue1voiture.com: The first car hire booking
platform to book a car from local & international car hire companies in
Morocco. Last May, this project won the first prize of MIT pan arab startup
competition.”
Why did you apply for SheLeadAfrica?: It's a great opportunity to
meet mentors and investors, share my experience with other entrepreneurs and
get media exposure.
What do you hope to take away from this exercise?: Feedback and advice on my
business and extend my network.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anike Lawal (Founder, Mamalette.com)
As a mother of one boisterous toddler and also an expecting mum,
Anike Lawal decided to start Mamalette.com when she was unable to find answers
to her most pressing pregnancy and parenting questions.
From pre-pregnancy to parenthood, Mamalette.com is the place for
mothers and mothers-to-be to learn, chat, seek advice, solve problems, share
experiences and relax through our website and social networking platforms, she
says.
Anike has a degree in Business Studies and French from Trinity
College, University of Dublin, Ireland and an MSc in Law and Accounting from
the London School of Economics in England. She worked for a couple of years as
a Management Consultant at KPMG Nigeria.
Why did you apply for SheLeadAfrica?: Women entrepreneurs like
myself often find it difficult to raise capital or obtain a bank loan because
investors and bankers would rather risk their venture capital with male
entrepreneurs than females.
Women’s experiences, opinions and thoughts are hugely
under-represented and not always taken seriously. She Leads Africa gives
aspiring women entrepreneurs like myself the opportunity to scale these
barriers.
What do you hope to gain at the long run?: What I hope to take away
from this experience is the knowledge and belief that I can achieve the
business goals I have set for myself. The skills taught and support given by
She Leads Africa should help me properly structure and scale my business.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taffi Woolward (Founder, Thando's)
My name is Taffi Woolward and I'm the Co-Founder and CEO of
Thando's. I'm a Guyanese-American living in Lagos, Nigeria for the past year.
My fiancee, Jibolu "JG" Ayodele, and I started Thando's in 2012 while
we were MBA students at New York University. As an entrepreneur I'm constantly
on the go. My hectic schedule and high heels often meant very sore soles. JG is
a practical art-enthusiast with an equally keen finance acumen and eye for
fashionable footwear. Our love for each other, love for Africa and love for
art, inspired us to create an innovative footwear line that facilitates a
modern woman’s busy lifestyle. Thando’s shoes are African designed foldable
ballerina flats, giving women a compact and comfortable shoe option that they
can easily take with them on the go.
Why did you apply for SheLeadAfrica?: I applied for the She Leads
Africa competition because I saw it as a unique opportunity to refine my
business plan and garner exposure for the Thando's brand. This was the 1st
pitch competition that I came across with a focus on women and Africa so I'm excited
to meet other female entrepreneurs and investors with a similar passion for
business in Africa.
What do you hope to take away from this exercise?: I'm an overachiever so I
hope to take away the 1st place cash prize. More importantly than winning is
the feedback and mentorship we are receiving through the process of refining
our pitches and preparing for the competition. I look forward to forming
relationships with the judges, panelists and other finalists. A strong network
is extremely invaluable to an entrepreneur.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kega-Florence Mukwevho (Founder, MKP Fast foods (Pty) Ltd)
“I am a 21 year old, aspiring CA(SA) and final year B Com
Accounting student from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. I am
passionate about Education, Youth empowerment and Entrepreneurship (EYE). As an
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Candidate Fellow, I strive to embody the values of
high-impact responsible leadership and entrepreneurship. My company focuses on
solving two problems mainly the chronic youth unemployment situation in SA and
expensive franchising in the chicken fast food industry.”
MKP Fast Foods is a low cost, scalable, mobile kitchen that
supports the growth of a chicken brand, Galito's. Our mobile kitchen has
employed 6 full-time employees. It is fully equipped with all that a normal
restaurant would have, but on a smaller scale. It is placed in areas where it
is not feasible to operate a full store.
Why did you apply for SheLeadAfrica?: Initially, I was just
looking for a pitch contest in order to improve my Pitching skills. I believed
that it would be useful for me to enter Pitch events as the exposure is
phenomenal.
I had just returned from my first ever pitch contest in Cape
Town, South Africa for the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation National Jamboree. After
making it to the Top 10 there and not actually winning I was so motivated to
seek out other opportunities that will give me greater exposure. At that
contest, only 3 out of the 10 of us were female. I knew right there and then
that I needed to rise up as a woman and empower myself in anyway that I
possibly could. This would put me in a position where I can motivate and
empower other women to take the stand, gain the confidence to make a move and
bridge the gender gap in this entrepreneurship arena. I needed to see more
woman stepping up in my community and changing the status quo but it had to
begin with me.
I specifically googled 'Pitch Competitions' the Monday morning
after returning from the Allan Gray event and after 4 or 5 pages, I found the
She Leads Africa website.
Funding is always a challenge with any business and like any
business, we also do require money in order to expand and continue with our
operations. But I knew that I did not just want to enter a competition and win
cash. I needed to be empowered as a woman to go out, seek funding and make
things happen.
What do you hope to take away from this exercise?: I had initially thought She Leads Africa was just another Pitch contest. However, during this entire experience I have become attuned with the vision of She Leads Africa which goes far beyond the monetary funding possibilities.
What do you hope to take away from this exercise?: I had initially thought She Leads Africa was just another Pitch contest. However, during this entire experience I have become attuned with the vision of She Leads Africa which goes far beyond the monetary funding possibilities.
I am looking to leave more empowered as a female entrepreneur,
with not only business skills but personal growth so that I can be able to make
a more meaningful impact and motivate more women back in SA and Africa to rise
up and take that first step to making their dreams a reality. I believe that I
will be inspired to be more confident and courageous as a young entrepreneur by
interacting with like-minded women from across Africa. Being associated with
some of the best woman entrepreneurs has been humbling.
I am incredibly excited about the networking opportunities. This
experience will see me expand my network with potential business partners,
highly influential individuals from across Africa and the SLA team who have
been amazing thus far. I know that even without the prize money, this entire
experience will empower me with skills and knowledge to be able to attain
funding and any other resources that I need to be a successful female entrepreneur in Africa regardless of where I decide to venture off to.
............................................................................................................................
Cherae Robinson (Founder, Rare Customs)
Originally from Brentwood, NY, I have built a career raising
visibility and support for international nonprofit organizations. A
self-described “passport stamp collector” I have traveled to nearly 30
countries, 10 of them in Africa. I have had the pleasure of meeting dynamic
people who turn the world's perception of Africa on its head. The experiences
I've had in the places I've visited were unlike anything I could have imagined.
I decided to create Rare Customs to bring the world to "aspirational
Africa" and be a game-changer in a tourism industry that too often gives
the continent the short end of the stick. Rare Customs is focused on disrupting
the entire tourism value chain on the continent by providing services that make
the sector modern and sustainable. Our first product, Tastemakers Africa is a
mobile app and website that allows users to pre-purchase curated experiences in
Africa a la carte. We speak directly to travelers who want to travel Africa and
skip the mediocre. From boutique hotels, to exclusive restaurants, to
nightclubs and unlisted excursions, Tastemakers Africa helps trips go from zero
to epic. Unlike other travel apps, Tastemakers Africa is the only global
solution that caters to modern jetsetters.
Why did you apply for SheLeadAfrica?: I entered this competition
because it was African-sponsored, focused on women, and open to the diaspora. I
also appreciated the "young professional mentor" component. With my
product in particular, it is important to get validation from both seasoned
investors and entrepreneurs but from people who would actually use the product.
How did you hear about it?: I first learned about the
competition through the Diaspora African Women’s Network (DAWN) who has a
listserve for members that keeps us informed of opportunities in African
Affairs. I bookmarked the site and the very next day received a few tweets and
emails from other friends like Kwame Son-Pimpong of Afara Global encouraging me
to apply.
What do you hope to take away from this experience?: The Rare Customs team has
been energized by the outpouring of support we've received as finalists in She
Leads Africa. We plan to leave the competition and build, build, build. We are
ready to get the mobile app launched and in the hands of users. We will take a
large chunk of the money and put it into the technical development of the app.
We will utilize any remaining funds to support a regional tour on the continent
where we can spend time building partnerships with businesses that fit our
brand and our users. Having strong ties on the continent is critical to our
growth and success. Beyond the takeaways for our business, I look forward to
building a strong network of women committed to affecting positive change on
the African continent through entrepreneurship.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jade Mann (Founder, Night Bus)
I am based in Johannesburg, South Africa. I have a corporate law
and operations background and have worked for some of the top corporate law
firms in South Africa. I also ran national retail operations for a well-known
local fashion label for almost two years and on the transportation side
operated a successful business in the event transport space.
Night Bus is a dedicated fixed line bus service that runs
between nightlife hubs in Joburg, throughout the night. The buses are kitted
out and offer an engaging on-board experience that offers relevant content and
entertainment, making transport part of the overall party experience. The
service will launch in Joburg, with plans to roll out to other cities in South
Africa and in developing markets as well.
Why did you apply for She Leads Africa?: I applied to She Leads
Africa because there is a gap in early stage funding for enterprise in Africa.
It’s everywhere on the continent but even in comparatively advanced markets
like South Africa. This funding gap has a disproportionate impact on women
entrepreneurs who always face greater barriers than male entrepreneurs across
the board. She Leads Africa is attacking this problem at the route root, and
that’s why I applied: because I need to secure early stage funding for my
business. Even when women have a great deal of conviction about their
businesses and with great business models, they still face barriers to
funding.
What do you hope to take away from this experience?: Even just being a finalist
in this competition means that I get the chance to get my business in front of
top- tier investors and entrepreneurs and to get their input and advice which
to me is invaluable. It’s also a chance to engage with and learn other
inspiring female entrepreneurs, including not only the finalists amazing
founders of She Leads Africa the other contestants.
Read my detailed interview with them here
No comments:
Post a Comment
Feel free to share your views :-)