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Get to know our partners and why are they the part of out mission! Next in our interview series is Petri Laine from Innovestor, underscoring our commitment to supporting Ukraine's vibrant startup ecosystem. Here's a glimpse into our involvement and vision: 🇺🇦 Innovestor's Involvement in Ukraine: Support for Portfolio Company: Petri detailed Innovestor's ongoing support for a portfolio company with a Ukrainian founder and development team in Kyiv: "We provided housing for displaced employees and reorganized operations to ensure continuity." Donations and Support: Our commitment extends beyond business, with active donations and support to aid Ukraine during these challenging times. Innovation and Rebuilding: Petri emphasizes the importance of innovation in rebuilding Ukraine. yi Investment Potential: While we do not currently have a Ukraine-focused fund, we see significant potential for future investments and are keen to explore opportunities in the Ukrainian market. 💡 Innovation and Support: Innovative Spirit: Elizabeth and Petri celebrated Ukraine's strong entrepreneurial spirit, particularly in tech and startups, positioning the country as a leader in Europe and globally. Market Expansion: We see exciting opportunities for Ukrainian companies to find customers in Finland and the broader Nordic region, facilitating market expansion and collaboration. Trust Building: Trust is fundamental in business relationships. The Bridge of Trust event symbolizes our dedication to building and expanding trust within the entrepreneurial community. 🤝 Join Us in Supporting Ukraine: Together, let's drive innovation, foster new relationships, and support the next wave of Ukrainian entrepreneurs. 🚀✨ #Innovestor #BreachOfTrust #Innovation #Startups #Ukraine #Entrepreneurship #Tech #Investment #Collaboration

Today, Ukrainian Hub, a non-profit organisation, is actively helping Ukrainian startups go global, operating on two continents in three countries: Ukraine, Portugal, and the United States. You've already read and heard about our plans in the US, so here we'll share a description of our projects in Portugal, which focus on supporting startups and entrepreneurship, especially women's entrepreneurship. The Ukrainian hub started operating in Portugal in the spring of 2022, just as Russia was launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The same year, we launched the #AmareloAzul programme for Ukrainian women entrepreneurs abroad who want to start their own business. Over the years, we have held 2 business camps, and right now the third stream is underway, where participants receive practical knowledge from mentors on how to start a business and compete for a grant to implement their ideas. In total, almost 250 people have participated in our programmes in Europe. We are also developing additional digital services, including an information portal that provides Ukrainians in Portugal with information on the nuances of life and business for Ukrainians in a new country. Soon we will launch a mentoring platform where you can get advice from leading experts who help young entrepreneurs find the best way to solve their business problems. The platform will be available online, so you can get useful advice from experts from anywhere in the world. On our website, you will also find offers from our partners - bonuses, discounts and much more - to help you adapt more easily in Portugal. For more information about our activities, digital services and opportunities to interact with our team in Portugal, please follow the link: https://lnkd.in/emwtcy-t If you are interested in the Hub's activities in the USA, we invite you to follow us on @ukrainian_hub_usa on Instagram! #UkrainianHub

Have you heard about “Blaxit”? Blaxit represents a grassroots initiative advocating for the return of Black/African Americans from the United States to Africa. This movement has expanded to include individuals of African descent who aspire to relocate to Africa for various motivations, such as accessing fresh economic prospects and reconnecting with their cultural roots. Concurrently, African nations are actively welcoming skilled and educated migrants For Small &Medium-sized Enterprises and the broader business ecosystem, Blaxit holds potential implications. Firstly, it could foster a diverse pool of talent and entrepreneurs, injecting new perspectives and expertise into the business landscape. Additionally, the movement may stimulate collaboration between African nations and the diaspora, creating opportunities for partnerships, trade, & investment. The influx of skilled migrants could contribute to economic growth, innovation, & the development of local industries. This is the crux of our upcoming conversation for this AMA, in anticipation of the main event, the Africa SME Assembly, happening on March 29-30th, 2024, in Lagos, Nigeria. Joining me for this enlightening business roundtable are some powerful speakers: 1. Ashley Cleveland known as AshleyinAfrika on YouTube, where she has grown a 44k community, quit her USD$100K job to move to Africa, & now teaches families & entrepreneurs how to move, travel, & do business in Africa. 2. Michael Frisk who moved to Sweden from Haiti at the age of 7 & has become an active business owner on the continent after tracing back his roots to Kenya & Nigeria. He is making the final move back to the continent in 2024. 3. Bill Huston the founder of Crowdmax & now co-founder of Raiseway, an equity crowdfunding platform, joins us back to discuss how African business owners & founders can tap into the Blaxit movement & its strongest diaspora as impact investors to raise capital to grow the African economy. 4. Ezra Anajonu , the Co-founder of Bus54, a tech company that aims to make travelling by bus easier and more modern across all 54 countries. He joins us to add his perspective as a Continental African living in the Diaspora on how African governments can facilitate an environment to allow the return of its diaspora. 5. Obehi Ewanfoh , an Author, & the Founder of Aclasses, an Edtech operating out of Italy joins us to speak on his perspective of what it would take for more continental Africans to return to the continent. 6. @Patrick A Howell a seasoned entrepreneur, co-founder of the Caribbean Community of Venture Capitalists, & financial services professional, joins the panel to discuss how more African Startups and SMEs can tap into the Caribbean VC space to access Capital. This event is mod. by Tanya Kabuya , the CEO of Wizz Digital, a revenue enablement & growth firm Let's explore how the Blaxit movement & diaspora engagement can fuel economic growth & entrepreneurship across Africa.

Opportunities

Business for #palestinians "Let's shift the narrative. Yes, we must continue to shed light on the injustices facing Palestinians, but it's time to focus on empowerment and progress. Instead of dwelling on the negativity propagated by those who advocate genocide, let's channel our energy into building a brighter future through business and innovation. Now is the time to plan to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit within the Palestinian community. We have the knowledge, skills, and passion to make a difference. Let's come together to support startups and small businesses, providing them with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. I challenge you to Imagine a world where Palestinian entrepreneurs are empowered to create jobs, drive economic growth, and shape their destiny. By fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Do you want to believe that you can make a difference and contribute towards creating economic opportunities and promoting healing and resilience within the communities? Let's start now. Let's connect, let's collaborate, let us all help to plan to build a better future for Palestinians and humanity as a whole. Together we have made the world open their eyes, together we will defeat the politics and together we can turn challenges into opportunities and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow for the Palestinian people. #startupsupport #palestinianrights #buildingabetterfuture #boycottisraeliproducts #boycottmcdonalds #boycottstarbucks WIRED Palestine Investment Fund

Why startups in Africa are failing? > Poor business policies & over-regulation > Limited funding & support > Poor infrastructure The last 8 episodes the African Founders Association has held have been very eye-opening. With a recurring theme, that these are issues we as Africans, can solve if we work together & leverage the resources at our disposal. 1. We have a serious funding deficit- Africa sees only 1% in global share of venture funds. 2. And heavily reliant on foreign investors with less than 20% local investors backing our startups. Have you heard of the African Diaspora Revival Fund? Dr Willard Bepete will be sharing how they are bridging this funding gap. 3. There is the pesky issues of the seeming disconnect between policy makers and the affected business owners. And business owners not knowing how to involve themselves in these processes. 4. Then there is the issue of mentorship. We believe our startup founders would avoid some pitfalls just by being guided by those who have gone ahead of them. Not deskperts, not experts who learn about Africa from google, but those with real experience building businesses in Africa. Gathoni Kungu will be sharing on Policy advocacy and Mentorship and how her initiative through YouthUp Global does this. As for our infrastructure, startup founders are actively creating solutions for them. Their survival and success directly improves Africa. Many say, it's time for us Africans to put in the work and rectify these issues. We agree. Join us this Friday and learn how you can be a part of the solution. https://lnkd.in/gdkvvGw7

The African startup ecosystem is booming 🚀 with billions of dollars invested in 2023 alone 🤑💰! While Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt dominate the scene 💪, other African countries are making significant strides 💯. For example, Senegal, Ghana, Algeria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have all raised over $100 million in funding 💰💰💰. Here are some of the key takeaways from the article 👇: - The African startup ecosystem is growing rapidly 📈 - Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt are the leading countries in terms of funding 💪 - Other African countries are making progress 💯 - There is a lot of potential for investment in African startups 💰💰💰 #AfricanStartups #InvestInAfrica #TechForGood Link to the article -> https://lnkd.in/eVz-FHaP

Entrepreneurs are the real MVPs 🌟 Imagine having a lightbulb moment 💡 - a game-changer idea that could fill a massive gap in the market. Now, picture the courage it takes not just to dream it, but to bring that dream to fruition - a product that fits perfectly in the market, loved by customers who are willing to pay for it. That's the journey of the incredible for-profit and nonprofit startups we help thrive: launch, grow and raise funds. They don't just dream; they deliver, time and again. Today, I'm pausing to salute the extraordinary talent and ambition nurtured right here at Thrive Afrika. They're not just dreamers; these purpose-driven founders are solving our continent's most pressing problems, creating significant value for shareholders and funders, and, literally, building the Afrika we want Here's to the brave, the bold, and the brilliant. You're not just building businesses; you're making history. 🚀🌍 #ThriveAfrika #ThriveinAfrika ............................ PS. If you want to know more about how we are supporting Founders and Entrepreneurs, comment below or DM me for a chat.

WORDS AND LANGUAGE RAISE MONEY Ever felt like you’re in a foreign film without subtitles when the latest business jargon gets thrown around? "Circularity," "CSR", “Regenerative agriculture”, and "Sustainability"  – terms that seem to unlock funding doors like magic. But here’s the kicker: in many African businesses, these aren’t separate activities – they’re part of the business and have always been. In the West, people invent terms and rally support like they’ve discovered the next big thing. Suddenly, "CSR" isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a ticket to raise funds. But for us, it's business as usual. Isn’t it time we played this game too? Founders from outside the continent often have a clear advantage because they speak this language fluently. While we’re busy doing the actual work, they’re out there minting money just by knowing the right buzzwords. It's like watching someone win at Scrabble with words you didn’t even know existed! Should we start start our own "Buzzword Academy" for entrepreneurs and support organisations? Imagine a place where we learn the jargon that turns heads and opens wallets. A place where "circular practices" aren’t just sustainable but also profitable! And yes admittingly we need to work on and super practice our general communication skills and pitching so we can convey our businesses, ideas and work better. But let’s not stop there. How about we invent our own buzzwords tailored to our unique challenges and opportunities? Why let others define the narrative when we have the stories to tell? Words count. Words make money. What are the buzzwords that you think we should adopt to champion our cause and raise the bar (and funds!) for African entrepreneurship? Join the conversation – drop your suggestions below! Let's create a lexicon that truly represents our innovation and resilience. #AfricanEntrepreneurship, #AfricanInnovation, #StartupAfrica, #AfricaRising, #SustainableAfrica, #EmpowerAfrica, #AfricaTech, #InvestInAfrica, #AfricanStartups, #EntrepreneurLife, #BusinessInAfrica, #Afripreneur, #AfricaBiz, #FutureAfrica, #AfricanLeaders GrowthAfrica

Our Parent NGO firm Innovate Africa Foundation seeks to create an enabling environment for technological innovation in Africa leveraging the power of technology to solve problems in the areas of insecurity, poverty and unemployment. Focused on early-stage founders, the angel investment fund, Innovate Africa Fund, plans to support up to 20 African startups following the launch of an initial $2.5 million funding initiative. Here’s the breakdown: - IAF is an angel fund designed for African startups - It is completely sector-agnostic and will invest in startups tackling complex challenges like insecurity, unemployment, and poverty. - We will invest an average of $50,000 in 20 amazing startups in our first year! - The fund will support founders at the super-early stage. - Funding is just the beginning! We offer a comprehensive support package designed to propel startups towards success. - Our insight-driven capital is designed to help founders accelerate their journey from MVP to PMF. Read more about the fund and how we’re powering Africa: https://lnkd.in/dNrTmNQq