Orange Corners Nigeria’s Post

Building on the success of the orange corners incubation Orange Corners Nigeria and acceleration programme, and the Orange Corners Innovation Fund, implemented in Nigeria since 2019, and so far supported the development of nearly 200 youth-led enterprises; the Netherlands and Nigerian partners last week co-convened an entrepreneurship ecosystem event themed CAPITAL UNLEASHED: Accelerating access to growth capital for young Nigerian Entrepreneurs. With over €1m collectively raised by orange corners alumni, less than 20% felt they had sufficient access to finance. As such the event was aimed at developing ideas for new products that can bridge the early stage financing gap, ranging between €50,000 and €250,000 provided by the orange corners program and the Dutch entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) respectively. Speaking at the event, NL Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation said “with Nigeria emerging as one of Africa’s leading start-up ecosystems, the need for accessible finance is more pressing than ever and multisectoral engagement is needed to forge partnerships that will drive tangible outcomes in the realm of entrepreneurship and innovation”. FATE Foundation FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank Netherlands Enterprise Agency #NLinNigeria #SolvingobalChallengestogether #entrepreneurship #youth #Innovation

At ANDE, we recognize the transformative power of Business Development Services in shaping entrepreneurial ecosystems. A prime example is FATE Foundation, an organization that has been instrumental in enhancing Nigeria’s entrepreneurship landscape for over two decades; and today, we are thrilled to spotlight their groundbreaking initiatives! 🌟 The FATE Foundation’s approach focuses on providing definitive answers to entrepreneurs' critical questions, bridging information gaps with valuable insights and data, enabling effective policy recommendations, and driving internal change through The FATE School of Entrepreneurship. The creation of The FATE Institute, their research and policy arm, addresses the urgent need for reliable data, which is crucial for strategic decision-making by policymakers and stakeholders. Through these efforts, FATE Foundation ensure stakeholders have access to the knowledge needed to make impact-driven decisions, thus fostering the flourishing of entrepreneurial potential. Learn more about FATE Foundation: https://lnkd.in/eDxQmmQp #ResearchAndData #Entrepreneurship #FATEFoundation #ANDEWestAfrica #PolicyMaking #DataDrivenDecisions #MemberSpotlight FATE Foundation Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation Pangea Global Ventures Center for International Private Enterprise Em Ekong Ajoke Adeola (Nee Omoware) Awa Alyne Daffe Anene Christine Adenike Adeyemi

Age has been a significant factor in studies on successful entrepreneurs, with research in the US often highlighting that the average age of successful founders is around 45 years. However, Africa, with an average age of just 19 years, presents a unique and dynamic landscape. While the age profile in Africa is markedly younger, it is crucial to recognize and harness the immense potential of its youth. Young people in Africa bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a strong drive for change. Empowering these young individuals through mentorship, resources, and opportunities can lead to the development of successful and sustainable ventures, driving economic growth and societal advancement across the continent. In this context, fostering an entrepreneurial culture among Africa's youth is not only realistic but essential for tapping into the continent's vast potential. #Entrepreneurship #StartupSupport #InnovationEcosystem

Sinapis Associate Director of Acceleration & Advisory, Martin Kibisu, participated at the Africa Impact Summit and mentioned that entrepreneurship is key to transforming Africa, but lack of funding hinders many businesses. He commends the Africa Impact Summit for bringing together investors and entrepreneurs to create opportunities and merge with investors to have the impact we seek in transforming Africa. #AfricaImpactSummit #Entrepreneurship #Funding #ImpactInvestment

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Forbes Africa explores the rise of youth entrepreneurship in Africa and its impact on economic development. Learn about innovative startups and initiatives empowering Africa's youth. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eNZRTPVC

Exciting Milestone Achieved We are thrilled to announce that MOBIVISION CLINIC's team has successfully completed the African Impact Initiative's African Impact Challenge Pre-Incubation and obtained a Certificate of Achievement from University of Toronto and African Impact Initiative. This journey has been incredibly enriching, providing invaluable insights into building market-creating innovations and ensuring problem-soltion fit of our business concept. Over the past six weeks, we engaged in a rigorous virtual training program that emphasized idea (re)validation, customer and market research, and guided product development. The process culminated in a 5-minute video pitch that allowed us to reflect on how these insights have been applied to my business idea. Key Insights Gained from the pre-incubation phase include: Understanding Market Needs: The training sharpened our ability to identify and validate customer needs, which is crucial for creating impactful solutions. Product Development Strategies: We learned effective strategies for developing products that resonate with target markets, enhancing the potential for success. Networking Opportunities: Connecting with fellow innovators has opened doors for collaboration and support within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. As we look forward to transition into the Incubation Stage, we are looking forward to leveraging these insights further. This next phase promises even more opportunities for mentorship, funding, and scaling our ventures. We are so excited about what lies ahead and eager to contribute to building the Africa we want to see through impactful entrepreneurship! #AfricanImpactChallenge #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #CertificateOfAchievement #Networking #IncubationStage Christian Mensah Atikor Moses Adetoro Dr. Abaya Kofi Mensah Priscilla Appiah Eugenea Domah Fati Mumuni

While the rise of African entrepreneurship is promising, with $5 billion in funding from over 1,000 deals and 1,000 unique investors participating, significant challenges hinder its full potential. Limited market access remains a critical barrier despite supportive governmental initiatives and international partnerships fostering innovation and tech-driven startups. Initiatives like Agenda 2063's PIDA programme aim to enhance cross-border infrastructure, yet significant knowledge gaps persist, particularly in navigating regional trading blocs such as ECOWAS and AfCFTA. Addressing these challenges involves bridging knowledge gaps and providing strategic support to empower startups to navigate legal frameworks and scale operations across borders. #VentureScaleUp #Entrepreneurship #InvestInAfrica

Africa Development Bank predicts a staggering 128 million new jobs generated by young entrepreneurs across the continent by 2030. However, is this ambition matched by the right support? Do we have the right ecosystem support providers, including incubators, accelerators, service providers and financial intermediaries? Are our locally founded enterprises investor-ready? Find our more at #VenturePlusKE where we connect young social entrepreneurs with partners eager to invest in purpose-driven ventures. #ELFImpact

𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬! I’m thrilled to share that there are more opportunities for grants and funding in Africa. Here’s why they matter: 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡: Grants give your startups and small businesses money without taking ownership (non-dilutive funding). This will help your business grow. 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬:  Grants support creative solutions. They encourage innovation among African entrepreneurs. 𝐀 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: Grants empower people from different backgrounds. Everyone gets a shot at success, including you. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 - I’ll share practical tips and resources on finding the best grants soon! Together, we’ll build a brighter future for Africa. #AfricanEntrepreneurship #StartupFunding #GrantOpportunities