RareBirds Emerging Markets Podcast: Recent Episodes
Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast
In this final and bonus episode of the podcast this year we hear from the founder of Hidden Manna Farms to learn more about the journey of building an agro startup.
This is series 11 of the Rare Birds Emerging Markets. In this edition we head to South Asia to speak with founders from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. In this conversation we speak with Humam Mujah and Ali Aflah CoFounders of Bright Minds Education.
This is series 11 of the Rare Birds Emerging Markets. In this edition we head to South Asia to speak with founders from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. In this conversation we speak with Miller Alexander Rajendran the founder & CEO of SenzAgro.
This is series 11 of the Rare Birds Emerging Markets. In this edition we head to South Asia to speak with founders from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. In this conversation we speak with Nepali Swastika Khanal Founder of the Question Mark and Director at the Ultra Group
This is series 11 of the Rare Birds Emerging Markets. In this edition we head to South Asia to speak with founders from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. In this conversation we speak with Rashik Hoque Bangladeshi CoFounder & CEO of Onethread.
This is series 11 of the Rare Birds Emerging Markets. In this edition we head to South Asia to speak with founders from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. In this conversation we speak with Quazi Sabir Bangladeshi Founder & CEO of Khelbei Bangladesh.
This is series 11 of the Rare Birds Emerging Markets. In this edition we head to South Asia to speak with founders from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. In this conversation we speak with Sixit Bhatta, a founder building solutions to enable movement.
This is series 11 of the Rare Birds Emerging Markets. In this edition we head to South Asia to speak with founders from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. In this conversation we speak with Sixit Bhatta, a founder building solutions to enable movement.
Our seventh and final guest in the East Africa bloc is Rwandan, Vivens Uwizeyimana, the Chief Executive Officer of UmuravaWork, a one-stop Pan-African freelance services marketplace. If you are curious, then listen in and as always I will see you at the end.
Our sixth guest in the East Africa bloc is South Sudanese Simon Chao Aloysius the Chief Executive Officer of Nile Boda. Nile Boda are easing commuting challenges for citizens and creating employment for young bike riders. If you are curious, then listen in.
Our fifth guest in the East Africa bloc is Malawian Ronnex Wataya, the Chief Executive Officer of Mi Wallet. Mi Wallet is a fintech startup providing innovative financial services. If you are curious, then listen in.
Our fourth guest in the East Africa bloc is Kenyan Zipeta Nabwala, the Chief Executive Officer of Liverage Online. Liverage Online is creating sign language awareness in society and providing equitable opportunities to deaf communities across Kenya. If you are curious, then listen in.
Our third guest in the East Africa bloc is Ethiopian Kahsu Abera, the Chief Executive Officer of Kese Events. Kese Events is an event management company dedicated to creating memorable and breathtaking events. If you are curious, then listen in.
Our second guest in the East Africa bloc is Ugandan Edgar Mwambutsa, the Chief Executive Officer of Medihub. Medihub is a Medihub is a medical sundries and medical equipment e-commerce marketplace in EastAfrica. If you are curious, then listen in.
Our first guest to kick off the East Africa bloc is Kenyan, Oscar Shivoga, the Chief Executive Officer of Kiko AI, a virtual shopping assistant that helps customers win over their behavioral human biases such as being too fatigued and overspending habits when shopping. If you are curious, then listen in.
This is Conversations with Jo-Ann, a small bites episode where you get to learn a little more about the motivation behind the series and what to expect next. Listen in to installment five where Jo-Ann does a wrap up of 2021 and shares what's coming in 2022.
Welcome to episode 202 of series 10, a Rare Birds Collaboration with Ghanian-based Startup Lounge Africa, a series of podcasts featuring some of the West African Startups featured on their West Africa Tour. In episode 202 I speak with Lydia Amenyaglo the Ghanian-German Founder of Plenty Plenty Africa. When Lydia traveled through Africa in early 2020, it was life-changing for her. Her father's cocoa farm, the beauty of Africa, the potential of the people, the desire to change things, all led to the creation of Plenty Plenty Africa, a cocoa farm with an attached production facility in Ghana.
Welcome to episode 201 of series 10, a Rare Birds Collaboration with Ghanian-based Startup Lounge Africa, a series of podcasts featuring some of the West African Startups featured on their West Africa Tour. In episode 201 I speak with Prosper Ukachi the Nigerian Founder of ShortKode. Prosper Ukachi is a motivated undergraduate turned edtech entrepreneur. He currently holds the CEO role at ShortKode Technologies Limited & is a Country Chapter brand Ambassador for the African Innovation Week. Haven lived in Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, Prosper has been faced with the contrast of a country with vast resources with a 50%+ poverty rate. His goals are to improve living conditions of millions of people through the use of mobile technology. Prosper has helped his team (ShortKode, previous projects) win hackathons, grants, he partnered a friend to run a commerce business at 18 and has gotten ShortKode some recognition. He prefers to give credits to others and loves reading at his leisure times. ShortKode uses technology to facilitate access to quality teachers and teaching aids for schools.
Welcome to episode 200 of series 10, a Rare Birds Collaboration with Ghanian-based Startup Lounge Africa, a series of podcasts featuring some of the West African Startups featured on their West Africa Tour. In episode 200 I speak with Badou Mbye Jr the Gambian Founder of High Tech. Badou Mbye, is a Software Developer, Producer, and Host of HighTech Show, and all-round tech enthusiast. He grew up in the U.K. and graduated with a BSc. In Information Systems in The Gambia. He was always surrounded by tech growing up and used it to help around the house. Seeing how technology made things easier day-to-day, sparked a curiosity to learn how he can use it to better himself and solve systematic problems in Africa using technology. It helped him to create a Production Team to build content and stories around Digital Awareness. His company is called High Tech and it Captures and provides captivating advertisement for innovative tech solutions in Africa.
Welcome to episode 199 of series 10, a Rare Birds Collaboration with Ghanian-based Startup Lounge Africa, a series of podcasts featuring some of the West African Startups featured on their West Africa Tour. In this episode I sat down with the founder of Tukwan Phillip Gideon Aye-Darko. Phillip is an IT Service Delivery Analyst, he concentrates primarily on Travel Technology Delivery for Tourists and Travel Guides in Africa. His key skills and expertise include IT System Analysis, Project Management and Monitoring & Evaluation of further Employee/Project Leads. His company Tukwan is the first on market travel tech provider in Ghana, offering tourists the freedom to experience quality tours and pay less.
Welcome to episode 198 of series 10, a Rare Birds Collaboration with Ghanian-based Startup Lounge Africa a series of podcasts featuring some of the West African Startups featured on their West Africa Tour. To kick off this series I sat down with the Founding Partners of Startup Lounge Africa: Samuel Opuku, and Prince Kelly Anyomitse.
This is series 10 a Rare Birds Collaboration with Ghanaian-based Startup Lounge Africa. Start Up Lounge Africa is on a mission to continually organize useful information and relevant networks that prioritize the collaborative growth and sustainability of African startups. They are pioneering a special project titled 54 Days Across Africa. 54 Days Across Africa is an initiative geared towards showcasing innovative startup solutions through a continent wide virtual tour to herald their recently launched digital matchmaking platform called Kutana Africa. Listen in for more.
This is Conversations with Jo-Ann, a small bites episode where you get to learn a little more about the motivation behind the series and what to expect next. Listen in to installment four whereby she wraps up the series and provide some details into what’s to come this autumn with series 10: Startup Lounge-54 Days Across Africa, a Rare Birds Collaboration.
About Idowu
Founder CEO, Startup Coach, Innovation Ecosystem Builder, Blockchain Community Builder and Board Member. His goal for the next 20 years - having achieved some degree of success over the last - is to nurture (coach, mentor, inspire) the next generation of tech talent. To this end, he currently acts as a coach for product teams, technology teams, and startup teams across the globe. Working through global startup/innovation hubs such as the Founder Institute, Impact Hub, BridgeForBillions, VC4Africa and Innovation Support Network, sometimes this coaching manifests as an Agile Coach, and other times as Product Coach, Technology Coach, Developer Advocate, Technical Evangelist or Startup Mentor.
About Precious
Precious Omusuwe is a Certified Blockchain Solutions Architect project and Coordinator of Blockchain Enthusiasts, a platform focused on blockchain education. His biggest asset is his ability to communicate complex information in user-friendly language and since 2017 has been actively involved in blockchain education at the grassroots. Outside the blockchain space, Precious is an ardent soccer analyst, Software Support and Implementation consultant and a loving husband.
MORE INFO ON STEVEN
Mr. Jasmin is Group Chairman and Managing Director of Smart City Clearing Company Ltd. a BVI based frontier market Merchant Bank. The bank’s focus is working with High Net Worth and Institutional clients across all aspects of the Alternative Investment Class as they look to invest and participate in Guyana’s growth. His practice focuses on four key markets: Commercial Real Estate, Oil & Gas Service Companies, Infrastructure Development, and Technology. To learn more about his origin story, follow the LinkedIn Article he posted: "Finding the Path to El Dorado in Guyana".
With over 15 years of experience as a Management Consultant and Investment Banker for Fortune 500 and Middle Market Companies, he has experience spanning all aspects of business but prefers to focus on Corporate Finance and Investment Banking. He is able to bring a deep and significant skillset as well as an extensive world-wide network with key relationships to bear for his clients and partners. Some of his clients have included: Delta Air Lines, Coca Cola, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, and Proctor & Gamble. Prior to being a Fortune 500 consultant, Mr. Jasmin is also a former registered Investment Banker.
He has worked as a Managing Director for Corporate Finance Associates where he oversaw deals across the entire alternative investment asset class. Prior to working with CFA, Steven was Vice President at the boutique investment bank Street Capital. Steven’s network and background as a former FINRA registered investment banker and management consultant allows him to bring a unique perspective to every opportunity. With a degree from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University, and over 15 years of business experience in the fields of finance, marketing, information technology, and operations, Steven has an eye for detail across all spectrums. Recognizing that successful companies are built over time he is driven to employ his business acumen and broad skill set to help his partners and portfolio companies achieve their desired goals and long term financial success. Steven resides in Atlanta, Georgia but spends the majority of his time in Guyana as he works to help the country navigate through first oil and beyond.
ABOUT PRETTY
Pretty’s management consulting focus across a decade ushered her into an industry disruption through the co-founding of Coronet Blockchain - an emerging technology solution geared to shift how hair exchanges hands across Africa's ZAR 100 billion per year sector.
A responsibility that sees her reshaping the future of this sector through blockchain driven supply chain digital infrastructure inputs leveraging blockchain technology to evolve the salon sector from hand to mouth into a bankable economy. Future-proofing the salon sector, in a post-Covid reality, ensuring their sustainability, re-tooling, and bring about employable key industry skills whilst fulfilling consumer expectations.
MORE INFO ON STEVEN
Mr. Jasmin is Group Chairman and Managing Director of Smart City Clearing Company Ltd. a BVI based frontier market Merchant Bank. The bank’s focus is working with High Net Worth and Institutional clients across all aspects of the Alternative Investment Class as they look to invest and participate in Guyana’s growth. His practice focuses on four key markets: Commercial Real Estate, Oil & Gas Service Companies, Infrastructure Development, and Technology. To learn more about his origin story, follow the LinkedIn Article he posted: "Finding the Path to El Dorado in Guyana".
With over 15 years of experience as a Management Consultant and Investment Banker for Fortune 500 and Middle Market Companies, he has experience spanning all aspects of business but prefers to focus on Corporate Finance and Investment Banking. He is able to bring a deep and significant skillset as well as an extensive world-wide network with key relationships to bear for his clients and partners. Some of his clients have included: Delta Air Lines, Coca Cola, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, and Proctor & Gamble. Prior to being a Fortune 500 consultant, Mr. Jasmin is also a former registered Investment Banker.
He has worked as a Managing Director for Corporate Finance Associates where he oversaw deals across the entire alternative investment asset class. Prior to working with CFA, Steven was Vice President at the boutique investment bank Street Capital. Steven’s network and background as a former FINRA registered investment banker and management consultant allows him to bring a unique perspective to every opportunity. With a degree from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University, and over 15 years of business experience in the fields of finance, marketing, information technology, and operations, Steven has an eye for detail across all spectrums. Recognizing that successful companies are built over time he is driven to employ his business acumen and broad skill set to help his partners and portfolio companies achieve their desired goals and long term financial success. Steven resides in Atlanta, Georgia but spends the majority of his time in Guyana as he works to help the country navigate through first oil and beyond.
ABOUT SONIA
Sonia John is blockchain developer, writer and speaker. She is passionate about the decentralized web and all the endless possibilities within it! She believes that it is not enough to know and be willing but to act. She is working on Porium, a web3-focused distributed online learning platform and is currently an Ecosystem Developer at Filecoin.
MORE INFO ON STEVEN
Mr. Jasmin is Group Chairman and Managing Director of Smart City Clearing Company Ltd. a BVI based frontier market Merchant Bank. The bank’s focus is working with High Net Worth and Institutional clients across all aspects of the Alternative Investment Class as they look to invest and participate in Guyana’s growth. His practice focuses on four key markets: Commercial Real Estate, Oil & Gas Service Companies, Infrastructure Development, and Technology. To learn more about his origin story, follow the LinkedIn Article he posted: "Finding the Path to El Dorado in Guyana".
With over 15 years of experience as a Management Consultant and Investment Banker for Fortune 500 and Middle Market Companies, he has experience spanning all aspects of business but prefers to focus on Corporate Finance and Investment Banking. He is able to bring a deep and significant skillset as well as an extensive world-wide network with key relationships to bear for his clients and partners. Some of his clients have included: Delta Air Lines, Coca Cola, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, and Proctor & Gamble. Prior to being a Fortune 500 consultant, Mr. Jasmin is also a former registered Investment Banker.
He has worked as a Managing Director for Corporate Finance Associates where he oversaw deals across the entire alternative investment asset class. Prior to working with CFA, Steven was Vice President at the boutique investment bank Street Capital. Steven’s network and background as a former FINRA registered investment banker and management consultant allows him to bring a unique perspective to every opportunity. With a degree from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University, and over 15 years of business experience in the fields of finance, marketing, information technology, and operations, Steven has an eye for detail across all spectrums. Recognizing that successful companies are built over time he is driven to employ his business acumen and broad skill set to help his partners and portfolio companies achieve their desired goals and long term financial success. Steven resides in Atlanta, Georgia but spends the majority of his time in Guyana as he works to help the country navigate through first oil and beyond.
MORE ABOUT OUMAR
Oumar is a Senegalese web expert with 20 years of experience. He is specialized in the development of high-end web solutions. As a self-taught engineer, he loves being challenged and engaged with projects that require him to work outside his comfort and knowledge set. Continuous-learning is part of what defines him. Additionally, he is a web engineering leader valued for driving quality and consistency throughout all phases of software development projects to produce high-quality, user-friendly and (as much as possible) bug-free software.
MORE INFO ON EMANEman is a blockchain full stack developer with a great enthusiasm for learning and adopting new technologies. Her work relies on building rich responsive web apps & Dapps. She is the Founder of Arabs in Blockchain, Blockchain Lead at StartFi, Devcon Scholar Alumni at the Ethereum Foundation, Ambassador at ConsenSys Qurum and Status.Im, Regional Organiser and CoFounder at Arab Blockchain Week.
Greetings Rare Ones🎉,
Welcome back to series 9 Education + Adoption: Blockchain in Africa. Are you new here? Welcome to the family of Rare Ones. This is the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter. Each week I send out this long-form newsletter to our community of Rare Ones as I have unique conversations with early-stage startup founders, ecosystem builders, and angel investors from across emerging markets. This long-form newsletter is a deep dive based on themes explored in the podcast conversation. Listen in by clicking above. 👆🏿
Get past podcast newsletters from the archives 👉🏾 here.
🎉 Featured Podcast from the Archive This Week🎉
To say Nedgine is a proud daughter of Haiti is an understatement. As an Obama Fellow Nedgine Paul Deroly hosted a closing session during her fellowship where she discussed exploring the power of place and why our roots matter.
👇🏿Have a Watch (i)👇🏿
Source: Obama FoundationAfter having the podcast conversation with Nedgine, I immediately thought, “Everyone needs a Nedgine in their life.” The power of presence and purpose are two salient impressions Nedgine left on me. As Haiti continues to grapple with its challenges this year, I encourage all Rare Ones to be reminded that there are many like Nedgine who work tirelessly towards building a Haiti that is not reflected in mainstream media. Listen in to my conversation with Nedgine below. It is a great inspiration starter for the week ahead.
📌Episode 43 with Nedgine Paul Deroly in Haiti: Building a Movement of Civic Leaders, rooted in an appreciation of culture, customs & community
🎉 Coming to the Rare Birds Emerging Markets Podcast🎉Episode 187 [Bonus Series] Introduction to Guyana: Startup Nation! A three-part series with entrepreneur, Guyana Focused Frontier Market Merchant Banker, and Asset Manager Steven Jasmin. Listen to Steven and me in conversation about all things Guyana. On Friday 3 September we will be releasing the first episode. Below is a snippet. 👇🏿Have a Listen (ii)👇🏿
Mr. Jasmin is Group Chairman and Managing Director of Smart City Clearing Company Ltd. a BVI based frontier market Merchant Bank. The bank’s focus is working with High Net Worth and Institutional clients across all aspects of the Alternative Investment Class as they look to invest and participate in Guyana’s growth. His practice focuses on four key markets: Commercial Real Estate, Oil & Gas Service Companies, Infrastructure Development, and Technology. To learn more about his origin story, follow the LinkedIn Article he posted: "Finding the Path to El Dorado in Guyana".With over 15 years of experience as a Management Consultant and Investment Banker for Fortune 500 and Middle Market Companies, he has experience spanning all aspects of business but prefers to focus on Corporate Finance and Investment Banking. He is able to bring a deep and significant skillset as well as an extensive world-wide network with key relationships to bear for his clients and partners. Some of his clients have included: Delta Air Lines, Coca Cola, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, and Proctor & Gamble. Prior to being a Fortune 500 consultant,Mr. Jasmin is also a former registered Investment Banker. He has worked as a Managing Director for Corporate Finance Associates where he oversaw deals across the entire alternative investment asset class. Prior to working with CFA, Steven was Vice President at the boutique investment bank Street Capital. Steven’s network and background as a former FINRA registered investment banker and management consultant allows him to bring a unique perspective to every opportunity.With a degree from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University, and over 15 years of business experience in the fields of finance, marketing, information technology, and operations, Steven has an eye for detail across all spectrums. Recognizing that successful companies are built over time he is driven to employ his business acumen and broad skill set to help his partners and portfolio companies achieve their desired goals and long term financial success. Steven resides in Atlanta, Georgia but spends the majority of his time in Guyana as he works to help the country navigate through first oil and beyond.
🎉 Everything Blockchain [News and Podcasts] from Emerging Markets this Week🎉
📢 How Blockchain Encourages Middle Eastern Women📢 Brazil President Meets with Brian Brooks and Circle to Discuss Possible CBDC📢 Ukrainian Ministry Considering Digital Currency Pilot for Staff Salaries📢 Union Bank of Philippines Partners with Hex Trust to Enter Digital Asset Ecosystem 📢 [Podcast] Why Bitcoin Matters in Nigeria and IraqGet more👇🏿 here
“My work was to support big and small companies in their digital transformation journey [enterprise architecture and IT consulting].… I met blockchain on this journey and I fell in love with it because it is the first technology where you have to do end-to-end discussions… I fell in love with this concept.” Tarek Kamoun
I always relish the stories of how persons found their way into blockchain. The moment of discovery is always filled with nuggets from which to draw inspiration. At age 18 Tarek left his country Tunisia to study at INSA Rennes. Upon completing his degree in computer engineering he joined Wavestone Consulting. He remained there for a decade before making his “exit.”
“Work takes on new meaning when you feel you are pointed in the right direction. Otherwise, it’s just a job and life is too short for that.”
To many of us, the “exit” is relatable. The terrifyingly beautiful moment when we realise something else is calling. It called and Tarek followed. The challenges of building a startup are immense. Building a startup between two continents, using local talent to serve a global market, even more so!
This week in blockchain education and adoption across the African continent Tarek shares his journey as a founder building a blockchain consultancy and shares insights on the blockchain ecosystem in Tunisia. We will explore the conversation with a series of essential BIG Questions, so together we can collectively understand: Leveraging Local Talent to Serve International Clients.
To begin, K2LIS, the consultancy of which Tarek is the founder and CEO is focused on adding business value through blockchain technology. Tarek and his team work across a wide sector of industries to provide an end-to-end support professional service. Tarek’s entire team is Tunisian-based, their clients, however, are in France and scattered elsewhere across the globe.
One of Tarek’s many talents is his ability to use leverage to his advantage. He leveraged his time in France to acquire an education, secure a job and eventually start his own business. Beyond that, he was able to identify three inefficiencies in the systems where he operated [France and Tunisia].
🌱 Essential BIG Question: How does perception vs reality create opportunities for emerging market founders?
Many emerging market regions are often overlooked. This is mainly due to a perception problem. The perception problem does not negate the fact that there are real challenges on the ground to overcome. There are countless struggles, however, being from these markets suggests one has a depth of understanding of how to circumvent said problems. What others see as a nightmare (perception) could be your nirvana (reality). In the case of Tarek, he believed blockchain technology had huge potential to solve the financial inclusion problem. He registered his company first in Tunisia and later in France. His first project was with a startup in Mali.
📌Must Read: The Emerging Market Grind: How ‘Doing More With Less’ Leads To More Resilient, Scalable Startups by Sebastian Vidal, CIO of Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust.
Excerpt: Ironically, the dwindling funding flows in emerging markets mean frontier startups take a more balanced approach to their growth, honing in on building resilience into their models, and taking a longer-term business outlook.
In fact, research reveals that entrepreneurs in emerging markets have a better survival rate than those in the United States. Surprised? Don’t be — here’s why startups that want to become profitable and enduring, fast, should consider starting up in emerging markets.”
📌Suggested Listening: Rare Birds Emerging Markets Podcast Series 8: Exploring the Puerto Rico Startup Ecosystem. Episode 178 Building Global Startup Accelerators that Create Impact with Sebastian Vidal
As the saying goes, we don’t see things as they are, but rather what we are. Everything is rooted in perception!
“It was one of the reasons I left consulting. I was frustrated with not being able to go to the end.” Tarek Kamoun
🌱 Essential BIG Question: What was the unmet need in the marketplace?Working in a consultancy has its advantages and disadvantages. Consultancies make a profit by charging high fees to clients in exchange for the services of exceptionally talented professionals. Work is done on a contract basis for a specified period of time. As a result, the opportunity to work from inception to completion of a project is limited. Moreover, the animation below underscores the idiosyncratic nature of consultancies. 👇🏿Have a Glance (iii)👇🏿
Source: Shutterstock
Tarek mentioned in our conversation that this model is currently under evaluation by larger firms. For him, it was an opportunity to approach the entire process differently. Training is a key part of the K2LIS framework. Ensuring the client understands the technology and how it can add value is essential to the onboarding process. Tarek outlined three typical client profiles:
⚗️ Those Who Know
⚗️ Those Who Think They Know
⚗️ Those Who Know Nothing
The middle layer he says is the most challenging to work with as they tend to have a fixed mindset around what is feasible. In addition to educating his clients, Tarek discussed the concept of blockchain business design. By introducing business cases to his clients, he can identify and assist with building a viable blockchain business model.
Must Listen: Insureblocks Podcast. Episode 81: Blockchain Business Design
Excerpt: “In this fascinating episode we are joined by Andy Martin, Blockchain Business Design at IBM. For the last three years, Andy has been working on how to create a business case for blockchain networks. In this podcast, he shares with us his deep wealth of experience in how to design effective blockchain business design. This is a must listen to anyone interested in establishing blockchain networks.”
One resource mentioned, which I thought was helpful in the conversation was the Oxford Blockchain Strategy Framework. Tarek found it incredibly useful in his practise. It is a framework that consists of three layers and is comprised of six key questions used to assess blockchain suitability.👇🏿Have a Glance (iv)👇🏿
Source: Yusuf BarmanThe six questions work towards identifying one or more of the following:
A predictable and repeatable process
A recurring process
Multiple stakeholders participating in a value chain
A central trusted party responsible for reconciling disparate data
An element of value transfer
A need for immutability or a permanent unaltered record.
The idea is, to begin with, the problem and work through each point in a methodical approach to arrive at a conclusion that is beneficial. If none of the key areas are identified then suitability is not achieved.
“If they are open we can find a use case which is innovative, if they are open to creativity and it depends on the company strategy.” Tarek Kamoun
🌱 Essential BIG Question: How important is it to invest in human capital?
Tarek mentioned that Blockchain in Tunisia is still very nascent. He says a few startups are specialising in the sector to develop projects. Penetration is still too low. Overall there is a lack of knowledge, skills, and training. In terms of cryptocurrency, there is no regulatory framework in place at the moment, therefore it is considered illegal. That said, it is currently under discussion.
Employee Training
As with his clients, Tarek also values education internally. He learned the blockchain process, applied and developed it with his team. He developed both the team and company systems simultaneously. Investing in local talent benefits firms long term. That said, as we know, it is not without its peaks and troughs. As Tarek outlined talent is scarce, particularly in the tech field. The big elephant in the room? What happens when one trains local talent only for them to leave for better opportunities abroad? In the case of Tarek, this could potentially be one of his clients in France or elsewhere. This is all part and parcel of the risk involved with building! All that said, to date, this has not been his experience, as he tries his best to ensure his team is both happy and fulfilled. The underlying issue in question is value. Top tech talent will demand higher pay, which many local startups may not be able to provide. How can we build a robust ecosystem if we are unable to develop and retain top talent?
Thinking Point
Various companies are working towards solving the local talent pipeline problem across the African continent. Web3Bridge, led by Awosika Ayodeji and his team is one such organisation. Simply put they are providing Africa’s access to a new web, with a mission to identify Web3 Passions, train them in a collaborative and supportive remote environment and create an African web3 community. Listen to Awosika and me in conversation as he shares with me his vision.
📌Must Listen: Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Episode 150 Africa’s Access to the New Web with Nigerian Awosika Israel Ayodeji, Project Designer of Web3Bridge
In a 2019 Techpoint article Kennedy Kirui, Co-founder and CEO of Made by People, a Nairobi-based design thinking and software consulting company helping organizations build products for African markets declared:
“It is up to startups to invest more in building the next generation of senior developers and not just wait for others to do this. Of course, you still need senior talent who will set the right processes and culture but the onus is on startups to do the upskilling.”
Seems Tarek and Kennedy are the generation of homegrown African founders who share a similar mindset.
“At the moment we are prioritising quality over quantity.” Tarek Kamoun
Final Thoughts
Tarek personifies one truth, which is that we can all use the cards that we have been dealt to build something far greater than ourselves. His journey is a constant reminder that there is immense power in leverage. More importantly, when accessed it [leverage] becomes an unstoppable source of motivation. Almost a decade ago, Tunisia was the birthplace of the so-called Arab Spring, an unforgettable series of uprisings that spread across what is commonly referred to as the Arab world. These past few weeks saw headlines in mainstream media of political instability in the country. Like Nedgine, Tarek [and all the other Rare Ones featured on this platform] continue to build away as daughters and sons of the soil, in spite of the uncertainty!Tarek and I covered quite a bit in this conversation:EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Get to Know Tarek
Selecting His Career Path Post University
Building His Startup in Tunisia and France
Why Blockchain? Changing Value in a Secure Way
The Beginnings of K2LIS: Tarek’s Blockchain Startup
Providing End-to-End Support Professional Services
Acquiring His First Client
Sourcing Talent to Start the Business
Understanding the K2LIS Clients
The General Consultancy Business Model
Training the Client to Understand Blockchain Technology
Different Types of Client
Assessing Client Needs
Blockchain Business Design
Meeting Client Expectations
Blockchain in Tunisia: Skills & Regulation
Insights into Building the K2LIS Tech Team
Challenges of Retaining Local Talent
Lessons Learned
Don’t Stay Alone-Don’t Hesitate to Discuss Your Projects
Get Customers Before You Have a Product
Don’t Get Caught Up in a Sinking Boat
As always, thanks for reading and for exchanges, questions, critiques and collaborations message me via joann@rarebirdshq.com.Bye for now and continue to stay Rare. JoXxDon’t Forget to Follow Rare Birds 👇🌱 FaceBook 🌱 LinkedIn 🌱Twitter 🌱Instagram 🌱 YouTube🌱
Subscribe at teamrarebirds.substack.com
Mr. Jasmin is Group Chairman and Managing Director of Smart City Clearing Company Ltd. a BVI based frontier market Merchant Bank. The bank’s focus is working with High Net Worth and Institutional clients across all aspects of the Alternative Investment Class as they look to invest and participate in Guyana’s growth. His practice focuses on four key markets: Commercial Real Estate, Oil & Gas Service Companies, Infrastructure Development, and Technology.
To learn more about his origin story, follow the LinkedIn Article he posted: "Finding the Path to El Dorado in Guyana".
With over 15 years of experience as a Management Consultant and Investment Banker for Fortune 500 and Middle Market Companies, he has experience spanning all aspects of business but prefers to focus on Corporate Finance and Investment Banking. He is able to bring a deep and significant skillset as well as an extensive world-wide network with key relationships to bear for his clients and partners.
Some of his clients have included: Delta Air Lines, Coca Cola, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, and Proctor & Gamble. Prior to being a Fortune 500 consultant,
Mr. Jasmin is also a former registered Investment Banker. He has worked as a Managing Director for Corporate Finance Associates where he oversaw deals across the entire alternative investment asset class. Prior to working with CFA, Steven was Vice President at the boutique investment bank Street Capital. Steven’s network and background as a former FINRA registered investment banker and management consultant allows him to bring a unique perspective to every opportunity.
With a degree from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University, and over 15 years of business experience in the fields of finance, marketing, information technology, and operations, Steven has an eye for detail across all spectrums. Recognizing that successful companies are built over time he is driven to employ his business acumen and broad skill set to help his partners and portfolio companies achieve their desired goals and long term financial success. Steven resides in Atlanta, Georgia but spends the majority of his time in Guyana as he works to help the country navigate through first oil and beyond.
About Tarek
Tarek is bringing value to business through blockchain technology. He is the Founder of K2LIS, A Paris based company that supports customers from all sectors to anticipate, innovate and deliver high value through innovative projects based on Blockchain technologies. They bring an end-to-end state-of-the-art Blockchain expertise: - Acculturation and training for Business and IT people - Strategy and consulting to identify appropriate and high-value use cases - Solutions development and deployment support.
Greetings Rare Ones🎉,
Welcome back to series 9 Education + Adoption: Blockchain in Africa. Are you new here? Welcome to the family of Rare Ones. This is the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter. Each week I send out this long-form newsletter to our community of Rare Ones as I have unique conversations with early stage startup founders, ecosystem builders, and angel investors from across emerging markets. This long-form newsletter is a deep dive based on themes explored in the podcast conversation. Listen in by clicking above. 👆🏿 Get past podcast newsletters from the archives 👉🏾 here.🎉 Featured Podcasts from the Archive This Week🎉 The Caribbean🤙🏿 10 August 2021: Luhu Gets Silicon Valley Funding. Want to learn more about Luhu? Listen in to my conversation with its founder below. 👇🏿 📌Episode 141: The Willingness to Learn and the Ability to Adapt with Zwede Hewitt Founder of Luhu: A Resource Sharing ApplicationAfrica🤙🏿 10 August 2021: Chekkit raises $500k to authenticate and track products globally. Want to learn more about Chekkit? Listen in to my conversation with its founder below. 👇🏿 📌Episode 143: Blockchain Beyond Payments with Dare Odumade from Nigeria, Founder & CEO of Chekkit Technologies, Inc.
In addition to this weekly podcast newsletter, I send out the Weekly News Round Up , an action-packed weekly curation of emerging market blockchain [news and podcasts] from across the web, featured in the Rare Birds Magazine.
A Snippet
📭 Blockchain News This Week
📌 Indian social media influencers are marketing cryptocurrencies like soap and shampoo
🎙 Blockchain Podcasts This Week
📌Forget DeFi, Welcome to RealFi – A Chat with CEO, World Mobile, a Shared Mesh Network Connecting East Africa
Get more from this week’s issue (#29) & sign up to receive your round up👉🏾 here.
Receive My Sunday Sevens (In Images)🌱 a list of seven items I explored during the week.
🎰 Quick Recap
👉🏾Analysis from the Rare Birds Emerging Markets Podcast
👉🏾News from the Rare Birds Magazine
👉🏾Exploration from My Sunday Sevens
“ A few crypto meet-ups and partnerships later my passion inclined toward the [blockchain] space.” Roselyne Wanjiru
Roselyne’s Twitter moniker is Ms. Blockchain. A simple Google search of her name will reveal that she is a prolific speaker across the African continent.
Africa Tech Summit-Kigali
NTV Kenya-Financial Literacy
Africa Bank 4.0 Summit
Crypto Currency Academy: Understanding Money
Are just a few of her rounds on the speaking circuit. Moreover, she is the Director of Growth and User Acquisitions at PesaBase, a Nairobi-based payment transfer company. This week in blockchain education and adoption across the African continent Roselyne provides an overview of blockchain investing using business cases. We will explore with a series of essential BIG Questions, so together we can collectively understand: Investing in Blockchain.
“Invest in things you understand; learn the framework.”
Roselyne confirmed for us that investing in anything blockchain is risky. One should only invest what they are willing to lose. More importantly, it is imperative to do your own research (DYOR). Nothing that you listened to or read here is investment advice of any kind. That said, let’s recap where we have been:
180 The Blockchain Potential in Somalia with Abbas
181 The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) & Blockchain with Aurra in Zimbabwe
182 Decentralised Politics (DePo) with Abdelfatah from Morocco
183 The Three Layers of Blockchain Education with Peter from Nigeria
184 Education When Building a Blockchain Startup with Pascal from Cameroon
In four months it will be exactly 2 years since I have experienced my first global pandemic. Digital transformation enabled most of us in China to live comfortably, during our 3-month lockdown. I am not entirely sure we will ever have a post-pandemic existence but what I am certain about and something which Roselyne stressed is that we have become aware of how inefficient much of the global systems have been. We (systems included) are far weaker than we are willing to admit. Moving forward how can companies use blockchain technology to shield themselves from the unexpected?
“Post pandemic we will need to have processes’ that deliver value for us.” Roselyne Wanjiru
🌱 Essential BIG Question: Which companies are investing in blockchain?
There are many companies around the globe leveraging blockchain technology. Reduced operational costs, simplification of business processes’, and transparency are just a few ways the technology is being utilised.
👇Have a Glance (i) 👇
Source: IQ Direct
🌱 Essential BIG Question: Why are companies investing in blockchain technology?
IBM was one of the first companies to invest in blockchain technology. The company has its own IBM Blockchain Platform, which provides advanced tooling that allows developers to quickly build, operate, govern and grow blockchain networks using Hyperledger Fabric. In short, it is blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS).
Must View: IBM Blockchain
Excerpt:
Decision-makers in business are increasingly looking to blockchain technologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs and reduce risks. Blockchain creates synergies among multiple, permissioned organizations, which enables you to create entirely new, higher-value business models. Building on the software and interface of the IBM Blockchain Platform gives you the flexibility, speed, and power you need to deliver on the promise of blockchain.
Suggested Listen: Blockchain Won’t Save the World Podcast by IBM Blockchain Partner Anthony Day. He believes, like most that blockchain has a marketing problem and this podcast aims to share stories.
Excerpt:
Cutting through the hype, telling inspiring stories from people and organisations who are creating real change in the world with Blockchain and Exponential technologies.
🌱 Essential BIG Question: Outside of cryptocurrencies what are some other alternatives for blockchain investing?
In our conversation, Roselyne mentioned the multiple ways in which investors may venture into blockchain beyond cryptocurrencies.
Must Read: Coinmarketcap Learn Centre
What is a Crypto ETF
What is an ICO
What are DAOs
Suggested Reading: Not Boring by Packy McCormick: The DAO of DAOs
Excerpt: “Unlike a traditional fund, in which institutions and high net worth individuals (Limited Partners or LPs) invest money into a fund that other people (General Partners or GPs) invest into companies, investors in The DAO would be able to vote on proposals based on pre-set rules, established in smart contracts. Each person’s vote was weighted by the number of tokens they held, which was based on how much they had invested. If a proposed project received enough votes, the smart contract automatically triggered the investment of The DAO’s funds into the project’s ETH wallet.”
🌱 Essential BIG Question: What are some business use cases for blockchain technology? In newsletter #181 The 4th Industrial Revolution & Blockchain Education + Adoption-Blockchain in Africa I provided the below visual.
👇Have a Glance (ii) 👇
Source: Interesting Engineering
These can be further broken down to include:
Energy and Sustainability
Insurance
Health Care & Life Sciences
Supply Chain Management
Insurance
Law
Real Estate
Shipping
The video below demonstrates the tokenisation of real estate using blockchain. It is one way in which investors are using blockchain in very traditional industries such as real estate.
👇Have a Watch (iii) 👇
Source: Armanino
🌱 Essential BIG Question: What are the consequences when code is law?
“Who do we blame when the code fails? Is therefore the code within the smart contract the law? Or do we need the existing law within the country? If there is a dispute within the code, who do we blame? The smart contract developer? The protocol? Or do we just go to court and sort our issues?” Roselyne Wanjiru
Thinking Point
Roselyne mentioned that governance protocols are currently being debated due to the lack of clarity around legal frameworks. The lines are being blurred and Roselyne believes this is where ethics (human-driven) has a role to play in the discourse. How do we apply ethical guidelines to blockchain technology? Is this a redundant question? What rights do investors have? Like regulation, ethics is a sensitive topic but as the industry matures and evolves, I believe we will see more robust debate on said topic.Final Thoughts
At the end of our conversation Roselyne mentioned: people, technology and innovation as the three pillars for investor success. Her varied experience and skills set is a constant reminder that the biggest risk in investment is not the asset but the investor. The onus is on all of us to develop our own strategies for success which align with our personal short-term and long-term goals. Roselyne and I covered quite a bit in this conversation.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Get to Know Roselyne
Roselyne’s Business Experience
Learn About Pesabase and What Roselyne Does There
Beyond Crypto: Other Tools for Investing
A Focus on Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAO)
Traditional Finance (CeFi) vs Decentralised Finance (DeFi)
Understand Governance Protocols
The Role of Trust
Risk and Blockchain Technology
The Role of Education in Advising and Informing Investors: Three Pillars
Lessons Learned
As always, thanks for reading and for exchanges, questions, critiques and collaborations message me via joann@rarebirdshq.com.Bye for now and continue to stay Rare.JoXxDon’t Forget to Follow Rare Birds 👇🌱 FaceBook 🌱 LinkedIn 🌱Twitter 🌱Instagram 🌱 YouTube🌱
Subscribe at teamrarebirds.substack.com
Roselyn describes herself as a Digital Economy Advocate, Economist, Professional Speaker, Blockchain Consultant and Educator and Youth Mentor. She is dedicated to serving and having an impact.
Greetings Rare Ones🎉,
Welcome back to series 9 Education + Adoption: Blockchain in Africa. Are you new here? Welcome to the family of Rare Ones. This is the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter. Each week I send out this long-form newsletter to our community of Rare Ones as I have unique conversations with early stage startup founders, ecosystem builders, and angel investors from across emerging markets. This long-form newsletter is a deep dive based on themes explored in the podcast conversation.The Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter is written for Emerging Market early-stage startup founders, ecosystem builders, angel investors, and the curious. Rare Ones come here to gain fresh perspective and insights into what is happening on the ground in emerging markets from the people who are creating shifts and driving the action. It is where they can connect through stories that are distinctive, honest, and relatable. Join your fellow tribe of Rare Ones as we course correct and create new narratives together!
Get past podcast newsletters from the archives 👉🏾 here.
Additionally, I send out the Weekly News, an action-packed weekly curation of emerging market blockchain news and blockchain podcasts from across the web featured in the Rare Birds Magazine.
🔶 A Snippet 🔶
⛓ Blockchain News This Week:⛓
📑 Akon’s Akoin pilot heralded a success, eyes countrywide rollout in Kenya
📑 Indian Government Working on Blockchain Framework to Ease Startup Compliance
⛓ Blockchain Podcasts This Week:⛓
📻Positive Social Impact with Microfinance in Brazil featuring Taynah Reis
📻 Crypto from an African Perspective with STLFX featuring Alex Matu
Get more from this week’s issue (#28)👉🏾 here.
💁🏽 New Feature in Female Founder Stories💁🏽 📖 Let’s Start Now: Sharing Journeys to Inspire and Inform. Meet Patience & Laure Podcasters from Rwanda📖
Lastly, receive My Sunday Sevens (In Images)🌱 a list of seven items I explored during the week.
🔶 Quick Recap 🔶
☛ Analysis from the Rare Birds Emerging Markets Podcast
☛ News from the Rare Birds Magazine
☛ Updates from My Sunday Sevens
“Kanza stands for change in the Hausa language. It is basically a peer-to-peer neo bank. What makes Kanza unique is that we try not to reinvent the wheel.” Pascal Ntsama IV
Pascal’s venture into the startup world was not one of building in the basement or dropping out of university. He did what the majority do: he got a corporate job whereby he worked and learned from 9-5 and then took on his passion/side projects from 5-9. I think it was Robert Kiyosaki who said, jobs are for learning. Insert [Pascal] the learner. He was employed by some of the biggest names in the industry (IBM, Sprint, and AT&T) before branching out on his own. He developed skills which he believed would transfer to the startup world, once he decided to leap.This week in blockchain education and adoption across the African continent we head to Cameroon (Africa in Miniature) to hear from Pascal Ntsama. We will explore with a series of essential BIG Questions, so together we can collectively understand: Education When Building a Blockchain Startup.
“You can’t learn anything new, until you are open enough to forget everything you think you know.” James Victore
Pascal mentioned the importance of stepping into emerging markets with an open mind. In his own words, “Walk in like you come from Mars.” 🌱 Essential BIG Question: How did Kanza go about solving the problem?Kanza is facilitating existing infrastructure by updating it with the use of technology. Pascal started by observing trends. He noticed that there was an individual financial system that existed among people in the region. People were using local currency exchange agents to facilitate trade. The main problem was the risks associated with the devaluation of local currencies. This subsequently led to a spike in the use of cryptocurrencies.
“It was an untold story that perhaps explained why people were not so quick to change things or jump on an online platform.” Pascal Ntsama IV
To put the devaluation of currencies into context last week it was reported that Nigerians Moved Over $40 Million Worth of Bitcoins in July 2021. 👇Have a Glance (i) 👇
Source: Useful Tips.Org
The devaluation of currencies was a theme we touched upon in #181 The 4th Industrial Revolution & Blockchain Education + Adoption-Blockchain in Africa. Devaluation in currency tend to contribute to inflation. Excerpt: “Aurra mentioned in our conversation some of the economic disenfranchisement that Zimbabweans experience. Zimbabwe’s modern history is one to be studied and dissected at length to make sense of its position today as a country wrought with economic woes. In 2008, it had the world’s highest recorded inflation rate in history, at 89.7 sextillion percent.” We also learned about the currency problem in #180 The Blockchain Potential in Somalia: Education + Adoption-Blockchain in Africa. Excerpt: The government doesn't have its own currency (we've been using the dollar for 30+ years).
🌱 Essential BIG Question: Why a neobank?As Pascal told me neobanks are basically financial providers that do not operate like a typical bank. They are usually small and decentralised and work with a different type of model. They are more community-oriented and address issues faced by the average daily individual. Unlike many, Pascal is of the view that both neobanks and traditional banks have a role to play in the ecosystem. One salient point made in the conversation was the narrative of the unbanked. Pascal, like other African founders, speak openly about their issue with the term unbanked. He asserts that it does not really represent the wider narrative, but has instead become another catchphrase.
“Stop using the word unbanked and shift to underserved.” Pascal Ntsama IV
Below is a snapshot of the world’s top neo-banks. 👇Have a Glance (ii) 👇
Source: Fintech Industry Research, January 2020Suggested Reading: FT Partners: The Rise of Challenger BanksExcerpt: “Emerging markets such as Africa, South East Asia and Latin America present a large opportunity for challenger banks, due to large unbanked populations, high mobile penetration and a growing middle class.”🌱 Essential BIG Question: What were the ten key takeaways from Pascal’s product building experience?1️⃣Don’t make assumptions, open your ears,2️⃣Word of mouth is the big marketing engine,3️⃣Think locally, find people that share the same passion as you and onboard them to your project,4️⃣Work with local talent,5️⃣Take advantage of technology (Whatsapp Data is cheap in SubSaharan Africa), 6️⃣ Natural observation is very important,7️⃣ Language is key,8️⃣ Come down to the user level,9️⃣ Ship fast and learn,🔟 It is all about relationships.It appears, the underserved are not always in need of a new solution but perhaps a more upgraded and convenient solution. Pascal went into detail about how he and his team used and continue to use WhatsApp to build the company. In emerging markets where using WhatsApp is common and cheap, this is highly effective. Meeting people where they are and employing technology they already use is always a win-win! Below are a few case studies from South and South-East Asia.Must Read: Startup Founders Are Building Companies on WhatsAppExcerpt: “Sampingan, an Antler portfolio company founded here in Singapore, provides an on-demand workforce to businesses in Indonesia. The first version of the product was on WhatsApp. The team sourced and managed more than 2,000 blue-collar workers in Indonesia who completed 25,000 jobs in the company’s first three months.” Must Read: Building Startups on WhatsApp — the Evolution of the “No-Code” MovementExcerpt: “In Asia, startups are regularly rolling out a minimum viable product and then transacting on messaging apps. Startups have found a way around hard-knock coding, and now run many services on top of WhatsApp, validating with customers quickly and cheaply. These companies are not only mobile-first, but they are also WhatsApp-first.” Must Read: Meet the Indian startups and SMBs using WhatsApp to script a success storyExcerpt: “Hyderabad-based Digi-Prex entered the online pharmacy market in 2019. Operating on a subscription-based model, the platform is largely driven by orders on WhatsApp where patients with chronic diseases share their prescription. The orders can then be made on a recurring cycle at 15 percent cheaper rate than those offered at brick-and-mortar pharmacy shops, according to the startup.”
”Learn from them to solve their problem. They learn from you to understand your solution. It can never be one way, always a bi-directional exchange.” Pascal Ntsama IV
Below is a visual of the intersections between design thinking and user centric design. The middle ground is where Pascal believes startups can thrive when building in the blockchain space.
👇Have a Glance (iii) 👇
Source: Career Foundry
“The average person does not know what the best solution is to their problem. You also as the founder would not know what the best solution is either.” Pascal Ntsama IV
On Marketing vs EducatingPascal mentioned some very important points around marketing. He outlined the different demographics-language, culture, religion, etc-which exist in one country on the continent making it difficult to market in the traditional sense. He mentioned the importance of studying the differences and leveraging them in the solution. He believes this is why education is far more important than marketing. Pascal explained that if founders can understand their customers enough to solve their problem, they will in turn educate someone else on using the same solution. As far as marketing goes word-of-mouth he believes is the best approach and will result in organic growth.
”People are bigger than technology.” Pascal Ntsama IV
Final ThoughtsAt the time of writing this newsletter, Pascal was in Nigeria launching the product there. As he said in the conversation, it was a part of his bigger plan (Cameroon then Nigeria). His unfair advantage is that he borders two cultures and languages which help him to tap into several markets. Beyond his education, wits and obvious talent, Pascal aims for impact. It takes a bit of hubris to leave a secure financial position at a top global company to attempt what you believe is your calling. It takes humility to forget everything you’ve learned, unlearn and relearn in a new environment. That said, one senses Pascal has been preparing for this moment for a very long time. Like all his other ventures, his dedication is unwavering and perhaps we can all become better founders and humans with a little more bi-directional exchange.
Pascal and I covered quite a bit in this conversation:
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Get to Know Pascal
Bridging the Corporate and Entrepreneurial Paths
Building Three Startups
Menergi Inc-Comcast & NBC Universal Partnership
Coincentrix Capital
Kanza-Saukibit
The Story Behind Kanzaa-Saukibit ( A peer-to-peer neobank)
The Role of Local Currency Exchange Agents
What are NeoBanks?
From UnBanked to Underserved
The Role of NeoBanks in Emerging Markets
The Diversity of NeoBanks
Attributes of a NeoBanks
Banking Becoming Flat
Startups Forget What You Know
Two Way (bi-directional) Exchange in Building a Startup
The Importance of Thinking Locally
Leveraging Social Media Platforms
Using WhatsApp as a Great Channel
Word of Mouth Marketing As an Engine for Growth
Solutions Should Remove Friction
Marketing vs Education
Building with Your Customer Using WhatsApp
Continuous Learning with Multiple Iterations
Scaling the Strategy
The Vision for Kanza-Saukibit
A View As to Why French-Speaking Africa Lags Behind in Startups and Investments
🔶 Visit Rare Birds TV for video podcasts with early-stage founders from emerging markets. Our most recent episode features Trinidadian entrepreneurs Carla Williams-Johnson and Jamila Bannister. View Rare Birds TV here. 🔶
As always, thanks for reading and for exchanges, questions, critiques and collaborations message me via joann@rarebirdshq.com.Bye for now and continue to stay Rare.JoXxFollow Rare Birds 👇🔶 FaceBook 🔶 LinkedIn 🔶 Twitter 🔶 Instagram 🔶 YouTube🔶
Subscribe at teamrarebirds.substack.com
Pascal is the CEO of SaukiBit. He is an expert in the respective fields of telecommunications, decentralized computing and software development with over nine years of experience in designing, optimizing and operating complex multi-million dollar digital systems. SaukiBit is driving innovation and choice for customers, businesses, fintech companies and banks with modular API standards. We are in the business of simplifying the blockchain and cryptocurrency ecosystems for the African focused next gen data driven market. SaukiBit are building a powerful API and payment platform offering the easiest way to create sophisticated wallet addresses for Blockchain assets of choice and digital financial solutions.
Greetings Rare Ones🎉,
Welcome back to series 9 Education + Adoption: Blockchain in Africa. Are you new here? Welcome to the family of Rare Ones. This is the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter. Each week I send out this long-form newsletter to our community of Rare Ones as I have unique conversations with early stage startup founders, ecosystem builders, and angel investors from across emerging markets. This long-form newsletter is a deep dive based on themes explored in the podcast conversation.The Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter is written for Emerging Market early-stage startup founders, ecosystem builders, angel investors, and the curious. Rare Ones come here to gain fresh perspective and insights into what is happening on the ground in emerging markets from the people who are creating shifts and driving the action. It is where they can connect through stories that are distinctive, honest, and relatable. Join your fellow tribe of Rare Ones as we course correct and create new narratives together!
Get past podcast newsletters from the archives 👉🏾 here.
Additionally, I send out the Weekly News, an action-packed weekly curation of emerging market blockchain news and blockchain podcasts from across the web featured in the Rare Birds Magazine.
🔶 A Snippet 🔶
⛓ Blockchain News This Week:⛓
📑 Ripple Partners with SBI Remit, Coins.ph to use XRP for Japan-Philippines Remittances
📑 Colombian Bank Banco de Bogotá to Support Customers to Transfer funds to Crypto Exchange
⛓ Blockchain Podcasts This Week:⛓
📻Artists Can Collaborate to Create NFTs’ – A Chat with Founder/CEO, QLIP, a Leading African NFT Marketplace
📻 BlockDrops with Maurício Magaldi: Notarchain, DeFi with Bitcoin, Mastercard on stablecoins
Get more from this week’s issue (#27)👉🏾 here.
Lastly, receive My Sunday Sevens (In Images)🌱 a list of seven items I explored during the week.
🔶 Quick Recap 🔶
☛ Analysis from the Rare Birds Emerging Markets Podcast
☛ News from the Rare Birds Magazine
☛ Updates from My Sunday Sevens
“Imagine a class of 100 students working on the same assignment on Google docs, whenever someone types a sentence the other 99 students see the sentence and if they click “I accept this" button that sentence is saved forever and cannot be reversed.” Peter Oluwashina, “Blockchain and Cryptocurrency: The New Oil
Five years ago, Peter discovered [The New Oil ] Bitcoin and like most, it changed the trajectory of his life forever. Peter is an entrepreneur, writer, cryptocurrency trader, and blockchain enthusiast. His main focus is education on all things blockchain and cryptocurrency in Africa. This week, we continue down the rabbit hole of blockchain education and adoption across the African continent. We will do so, with a series of essential BIG Questions, so together we can collectively understand: The Three Layers of Blockchain Education.
“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.”
For Peter, the three layers of blockchain education must align. They ideally, should work in tandem for the overall mission to be achieved. If one is misaligned the entire system collapses. He asserts the three layers as:
👇Have a Glance (i) 👇
- Regulators In the past few months, governments the world over have been grappling with [The New Oil] and everything therein. We have witnessed a mixed bag of responses. From the flotsam fearsome to the coquettishly curious and the ardent adopters! It has been entertaining at times, and for ordinary citizens, a transparent IQ test. That said, what’s your country’s intelligence quotient? Below is a country-by-country breakdown from Argentina to Venezuela.
Must Read: Global Legal Insights: Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Report 2019.
Excerpt: “The concept of regulating a disruptive technology, is in itself unrealistic and unattainable as a result of the principle of “technological neutrality”. Technology changes exponentially, but social, economic, and legal systems change incrementally. Therefore, technology will always render regulation outdated, almost immediately. On the other hand, it is the very tendency of technology to evolve that is crucial in justifying the legal and regulatory change. The objective of regulation should never be to slow down or delimit technology, as this inevitably leads to stifling innovation. The focus should always be on creating standards as well as ethical and good governance principles as these are essentially the tools required for a new industry to mature, grow and flourish.” In my conversation with Peter he said something which I believe rings true, “Adoption cannot happen without the government and the regulators.” He further added that governments need to be communicated with in a language they understand. It made me reflect on something one of my mentors told me many years ago, “Learn to speak the currency of your audience.” Many crypto thought leaders often stress that “banning” is more of a stalling mechanism which translates into simply put: we are trying to figure this out. What we have all collectively observed is that whilst some countries have been proactively ahead of the curve-researching, applying and developing-others have been sleeping at the wheel and are now-responding!
🌱 Essential BIG Question: How are some governments managing digital transformation?In #180 The Blockchain Potential in Somalia: Education + Adoption-Blockchain in Africa. Abbas Gassem, told us,
“Government just needs to take the lead…Governments need to think and act like startups not like a state ran project.” Abbas Gassem
Meet Siim Sikkut, CIO of Estonia, the second to hold this position in his country. Must Read: E-Estonia Interview with Siim Sikkut
Excerpt: What is it that a country’s CIO does daily? Meets a lot of people and has a lot of conversations. But on a more serious note, my job is to lead and coordinate our digital state’s development. It’s being done through regulation, through investments and funding, by offering platforms along with Estonian Information System Authority – most notably our X-road. We also are going these days more hands-on and are driving new initiatives, like the current national AI strategy that seeks to boost the take-up of AI in both the private and public sectors. I’d also like to emphasize that it is not a one-man-show; in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, we have a Government CIO office. We are a team of about thirty people keeping the country’s digital innovation engine humming and cyber-safe. Estonia is also a member of the Digital Nations Group, a ten-member country club that consists of Israel, Mexico, Uruguay, and South Korea to name a few. In the above interview, Sikkut mentioned that it maintains close relations with countries such as Singapore to learn from its track record as a leader in digital transformation.Thinking Point
There are often discussions on emerging/frontier markets being better positioned to emulate models from China and/or South East Asia. I tend to agree with and understand the underpinnings of this sentiment. However, I think it is important to apply rigour to my thinking, in an attempt to recognise my own blind spots. The case for some divergent thinking: Ultimately the world is our oyster, we can learn from Estonia just as much as we can learn from Ethiopia, El Salvador, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, etc. The learnings are complex and nuanced, perhaps not as relatable, but true learning stems from observing the world. Irrespective of where we lie on the globe, technology, once adopted must still be localised. We may not be able to apply in the same way as say, Estonia but let’s look at the bigger picture. Beyond emulation is another (e) known as experimentation, because ultimately all countries must look inward to develop a vision that best suits their own cultural, political, social, and economic makeup. There is by no means a “perfect model.” As a consequence, the emerging/frontier must grow and develop its own sense of self. Some may call it the ultimate (e) known as expression, which can only stem from self-determination. What is your thinking point on this?
Reverting to the essential big question of managing digital transformation. The Gartner Hype Cycle may provide a view into how government CIOs consider implementing their digital strategies.👇Have a Glance (ii) 👇
Source: Gartner
“Regulatory frameworks should be created as to not stifle the growth of blockchain projects and businesses.” Peter Oluwashina
As Peter shared the above with me I reflected on this most recent development: Nigerian Fintech company, Patricia recently announced the relocation of its operations to Estonia. The article which was published on Technextng: Patricia Relocates to Estonia cited one of the reasons for the relocation as a response to the ban on crypto trading by the Nigerian Government. Albeit, not his core area of expertise, Peter asserts that educating regulators forms a key layer in blockchain education. From Nigeria to Estonia, the world continues to be our oyster.
- Builders
🌱 Essential BIG Question: Is putting the user first the answer to everything?
Startups generally have a high failure rate. However, in one of his blog articles, Why Blockchain Projects Fail, Peter outlines several reasons that are specific to blockchain builders. Peter sites a shortage of talent and expertise which he says can be solved if we attracted more diverse talent to the industry. He believes there is a very long value chain which can be optimised for efficiency. He states building is great but ultimately projects that do not solve problems, are failures.
“If no one is actually using your project it is a failure.” Peter Oluwashina
In his book,【The New Oil】 he details a lengthy thread of professionals as well as jobs sites for those seeking to enter the profession. Moreover, he states that the developer pool is limited, seeing as there are less than 200,000 blockchain developers in the world. At present, trying to source a senior blockchain developer or solutions architect is a considerable challenge. Those who are experienced at that level, are quickly poached by giant corporations. Below are a few of the professions listed in Peter’s book. 👇Have a Glance (iii) 👇
A. Startups as Builders: Lessons Learned
Last month Quartz Contributing Writer, Chikezie Omeje wrote a galvanzing article titled, Must Read: “The inside story of how an ambitious African cryptocurrency startup failed.”
Excerpt: “The leaders held a retreat and agreed to pivot their startup. They figured out they couldn’t compete in the crypto exchange space, because competitors like Binance were already popular with African crypto investors. Instead, they decided to build a blockchain-enabled fintech that would facilitate faster payments with little service fees across Africa. They called it “money on steroids.” Their app users would be able to send money or receive money in the form of a token. This way, Africans could make payments across the continent without converting to outside currencies like the US dollar. “ Some of the challenges the startup encountered were:
Building Without Technical Know-How (Blockchain or Fintech)
Excessive Spending on Technical Partners Outside the Continent
Unnecessary Hiring
Not Conducting Market Research
Lack of Mentorship
The above are not unique to crypto startups but the founders were African-Angolan, Nigerian, and Ghanaian-and aiming to build for what they defined as an “African” market. They were also some considerable debates on Twitter as to whether the goal should be to build an African blockchain or build on existing blockchains. The entire conversation is ongoing and one I highly suggest observing. A recurring theme amongst marketers is that startups tend to see marketing as an add-on. Peter firmly believes that marketing should be an integral part of product development. After working with various startups one of the biggest blunders he mentioned was a lack of focus on marketing.
“People do not care about the tech, what they want to know is this solving my problem. They want a solution to their problem.” Peter Oluwashina
He believes startups need educating on storytelling. He believes a marketer should be included at the outset; as early as the idea phase of the project. With most startups, he says the obsession tends to be with the product and not the users. In his view, the obsession should be solely on the users and consumers of the product.
Another ambitious African-based startup shared its lessons as builders in the blockchain space. In TechCrunch last month, they wrote about their experience building for African governments. This particular startup uses blockchain to help governments solve shipping problems. They have since expanded into offering land registration services via the blockchain.Must Read: What We Learned From Selling a Blockchain Service to African GovernmentsExcerpt: It’s typical when entering Africa to want to focus on the big and popular markets like Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya. But what we’ve learned so far is that there’s a high probability that these countries might not be your first entry point. A business-to-government model is a difficult one. There’s a lot of politicking that goes into working with the government. What we’ve seen work is to approach other countries and gain a foothold, then use that as validation that the concept works. With the success of Sierra Leone, we’re hoping to return to other countries and get a better reception.
- UsersWith a focus on the user let’s look at a case from the Philippines. Celo (Peter’s former employer) collaborated with a community group, The Montalban Action Group (MAG) in a decentralised anti-poverty programme. The effort was 100% community-driven and the use of the tech was seamless and convenient. More importantly, it solved a real problem.. Must Read: From the Celo Community Blog: The Multiplier Effect of Communities: Spotlight on the Montalban Action GroupExcerpt: In her outreach to the first 20 members of the group, she tapped into the younger ones to become “onboarding assistants” who explained to their co-recipients how to download and use the impactMarket and Valora apps. They set up a group chat in Facebook as well, where they asked questions and resolved technical issues. In two days, the community was ready to receive the first UBI disbursement. In particular, Diane, a public school teacher, served as their go-to for technical support. Diane is more tech savvy than the rest of the group. “At first we had doubts but after we saw that it works, all of our members became confident that it was legit.” She also helps in facilitating the cash out for members through BloomX, a Philippine cryptocurrency exchange offering local off ramps. Staying in the Philippines, CoFounder of Yield Guild, Berry Li recently wrote in CoinDesk: Suggested Reading: A Play-to-Earn Account Beats a Bank AccountExcerpt: “This is why the play-to-earn phenomenon in non-fungible token (NFT) gaming is so powerful, because users don’t need to put money in – they can earn it through active participation in a video game. This is providing unprecedented access to wealth creation opportunities in crypto, especially in developing countries where we’ve seen a huge influx of people wanting to get in on the craze. But rising demand has dramatically increased the cost of the NFTs needed to play the game. Which places us right back where we started, with expensive admission fees putting play-to-earn games out of reach for those who could benefit from them the most.” The video in the above text tells the story of a small community in the rural Philippines that turned to the NFT game, Axie Infinity, to earn an income in cryptocurrency during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a must-watch for those like Peter, who appreciate good storytelling and real-life use cases from users.
“Blockchain and crypto are not just speculation for Africans, it is not something we play with, it is not futuristic, it saves lives and can boost economic growth for the continent. From voting to remittance, it is a lifeline for Africans.” Peter Oluwashina
Final ThoughtsIn the conversation, Peter mentioned that there are roles in this space beyond being a developer. I also expanded on this by saying that everything seems to work best when each individual understands the role they (and the other ) play in the ecosystem. Adversarial relationships, in my view hinder progress. I saw this frequently in my previous career: bloody nightmare and absolutely exhausting! In a perfect world, the developer knows the marketer is essential. The marketer knows the importance of mentors and the like. No one is less important than the other. Rather, they are aligned with one goal in mind: solve a problem for the user. In a similar vein; regulators, builders and users must be educated in their own unique language and by employing different methods. Peter urged us all to look beyond the hype and money to see how we can utilise this technology to impact lives. It appears that beyond education, cohesion must be achieved before impact (and adoption) can be materialised.Peter and I covered quite a bit in this conversation:
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Peter’s Career Profile
What is Celo?
Learn About the Three Layers
Regulators
Programmers, Builders & Operators
The Public
Understanding Layer 1: Regulators & Their Responsibility
Understanding Layer 2: Business, Tech & Other Operators
The Importance of Talent
Creating Products that Solve Real Problems
The Blockchain Education Problem
The Need for More Communicators in the Blockchain Space
The Role Creators Should Play in the Blockchain Space
Understanding Layer 3: The Users
Common Marketing Blunders Made by Blockchain StartUps
The Importance of Storytelling
Marketers As a Part of the Design Phase
Being Obsessed with the Users/Consumers of the Product
Managing all Three Layers
Changing Lives with Blockchain Technology
🔶 Visit Rare Birds TV for video podcasts with early-stage founders from emerging markets. Our most recent episode features Trinidadian entrepreneurs Carla Williams-Johnson and Jamila Bannister. View Rare Birds TV here. 🔶
As always, thanks for reading and for exchanges, questions, critiques and collaborations message me via joann@rarebirdshq.com.Bye for now and continue to stay Rare.JoXxFollow Rare Birds 👇🔶 FaceBook 🔶 LinkedIn 🔶 Twitter 🔶 Instagram 🔶 YouTube🔶
Subscribe at teamrarebirds.substack.com
About Peter
An entrepreneur who is passionate about providing solutions to problems in emerging markets through technology, innovations and marketing. He has led growth and B2C marketing campaigns in VC backed companies in technical industries and scaled products to millions of people. Five years ago he discovered Bitcoin. Ever since he has had an amazing journey working in the marketing teams of multi-million dollar blockchain projects and educating thousands of people about the technology & the career opportunities available in the industry.
Oluwashina is skilled in blockchain knowledge and fundamentals, marketing (B2B & B2C), copywriting, content creation and content marketing. He is an avid learner of human psychology and behavioural economics which helps him in his marketing campaigns. Peter also writes about Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Societal Psychology. You can visit his blog via www.oluwashinapeter.com/blog
Greetings Rare Ones🎉,
Welcome back to series 9 Education + Adoption: Blockchain in Africa. Are you new here? Welcome to the family of Rare Ones. This is the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter. Each week I send out this long-form newsletter to our community of Rare Ones as I have unique conversations with early stage startup founders, ecosystem builders, and angel investors from across emerging markets. This long-form newsletter is a deep dive based on themes explored in the podcast conversation.The Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter is written for Emerging Market early-stage startup founders, ecosystem builders, angel investors, and the curious. Rare Ones come here to gain fresh perspective and insights into what is happening on the ground in emerging markets from the people who are creating shifts and driving the action. It is where they can connect through stories that are distinctive, honest, and relatable. Join your fellow tribe of Rare Ones as we course correct and create new narratives together!
Get past podcast newsletters from the archives 👉🏾 here.
Additionally, I send out the Weekly News, an action-packed weekly curation of emerging market blockchain news and blockchain podcasts from across the web featured in the Rare Birds Magazine.
🔶 A Snippet 🔶
⛓ Blockchain News This Week:⛓
📑 Russian Crypto Industry Association Aims To Attract Miners
📑 Tianjin Released China’s First Blockchain-based Carbon Offset
⛓ Blockchain Podcasts This Week:⛓
📻Introducing DeFisset.com – A DeFi Asset Tracker by a Ghanaian-based Blockchain Developer
📻Its Not Part of a Regulator’s Job to Make Your Life Easier’ – A Chat with Founder / CEO Carmelle Cadet, EMTECH
Get more from this week’s issue (#26)👉🏾 here.
Lastly, receive My Sunday Sevens🌱 a list of seven items I explored during the week.
🔶 Quick Recap 🔶
☛ Analysis from the Rare Birds Emerging Markets Podcast
☛ News from the Rare Birds Magazine
☛ Updates from My Sunday Sevens
As a teenager, Abdelfatah attended a high school that was known for driving political discourse in his country, Morocco. He grew up seeing his father collect local street boys to play football in his city of Casablanca, the economic hub of the country. His father never grew tired of doing good and led with an indomitable spirit of push hard today to achieve a different tomorrow. His mother’s roots are in Fez, the cultural capital, where she hails from a political family. Unsurprisingly, he believes in sound public governance as an enabler for change. He traveled to Cape Town for university 15 years ago and today he remains.
This week we enter the rabbit hole of decentralised governance and blockchain. We will do so with a series of essential BIG Questions, so together we can collectively understand: Decentralised Politics (DePo).
“Politics is pervasive. Everything is political and the choice to be “apolitical” is usually just an endorsement of the status quo and the unexamined life.”
🌱 Essential BIG Question: What is decentralisation in politics?According to the World Bank, “Political decentralization aims to give citizens or their elected representatives more power in public decision-making.” To understand decentralisation we should also consider its complementary opposite: centralisation. 👇Have a Glance (i) 👇
Source: CFI
To decentralise is to transfer authority. Centralisation and decentralisation are ways in which governance is done. Within each mode of governance, there are varying degrees to which each is carried out. In #180 The Blockchain Potential in Somalia: Education + Adoption-Blockchain in Africa (excerpt below) I alluded to the fact that [Blockchain and Cryptocurrency] as well as [digital currency and cryptocurrency] are often used interchangeably, to the chagrin of many. One of the key differences between these often conflated topics is centralisation and decentralisation.
Excerpt:“Blockchain (a distributed ledger technology-DLT) and cryptocurrency are often used interchangeably, however it should be understood that blockchain is the underlying technology which enables the creation of a cryptocurrency (the most popular being Bitcoin). The potential of the technology itself goes far beyond cryptocurrency and finance. It should be noted that we also see the terms digital currency and cryptocurrency used interchangeably, but they too, are very different (we will cover this in a separate newsletter).”
Digital currencies (digital money) are the umbrella term encompassing a variety of electronic money. Digital currencies are centralised, regulated, and not transparent. Cryptocurrencies are a subset of digital money, however, they are decentralised, unregulated, and transparent. They are secured by cryptography usually on a blockchain or some other DLT. That said there are some cryptocurrencies that are centralised and ran by their issuing organisations (I know that was confusing, we carry on!). Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are regulated by Central Banks. They are a country’s money issued in digital form. They are managed on a DLT which may or may not be a blockchain. CBDCs are all the rage right now with many countries in the “race” to issue their own. To date, The Bahamas is the only country to launch its CBDC. A bevy of countries are in pilot mode including China, France, Singapore and others. The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is the first currency union to launch a blockchain-based, digital version of the Eastern Caribbean dollar, known as D-Cash. It is currently active in only four of its member states.
Must View: CBDC Tracker
🌱Essential BIG Question: What are the properties and types of DLTs?Properties
👇Have a Glance (ii) 👇
Source: Euromoney
Types
👇Have a Glance (iii) 👇
Source: Alastria Blockchain
In our conversation Abdelfatah mentioned that DePo will be built using a DLT but not necessarily using blockchain.
Having now developed an understanding of centralisation, decentralisation, digital currencies, and DLTs it is evident why there are such polarising views in this landscape, particularly where Bitcoin is concerned. I touched on this briefly in #181 The 4th Industrial Revolution & Blockchain Education + Adoption-Blockchain in Africa (excerpt below).
Excerpt: “🌱 Essential BIG Question: Why is Bitcoin so important in the blockchain discourse? Bitcoin for some is an asset class. Bitcoin for some is money. Bitcoin for some is a scam. Bitcoin for some is a philosophy and revolution. Irrespective of where one lies on the spectrum-maximalist or loather-there are individuals like Aurra who are benefitting from its existence.”
For Abdelfatah, however, there is a bigger issue beyond economics and finance and that’s politics.
”The problem now is not money, it is politics. Because politics is so dark and misunderstood, because the political class thinks it is money making rather than problem solving. The problem now is that finance is controlling politics. After understanding the technology, I began with why not politics?” Abdelfatah Mouttaqui
Abdelfatah believes that the African continent has a deficit which DePo ( Decentralised Politics) not too dissimilar to DeFi (Decentralised Finance) can fill. He says many African leaders are negligent, which has resulted in a despondent youth population. Rather than try to reform old political systems, he asserts this technology can create a new empowering system. Suggested Reading: Decentralized parties: The future of on-chain governanceExcerpt: “A new breed of self-governing organizations is likely to take over in the upcoming decades, not only in business but also in the political sphere via decentralized parties….Political decentralization is the only way citizens can have a definitive say in the governance of their communities and lives. The desire for change in the political landscape is palpable and reflected in the growing voter absenteeism in many nations. Though decentralized parties will initially lack political influence, the craving for empowering technologies and purer forms of democracy will stimulate adoption over time.”
🌱 Essential BIG Question: What are the features and functions of DePo?
Abdelfatah shared the main feature of DePo as being transparency between party members and leaders via a DLT; which will support the following functions:
Secure e-voting
Public Administration (healthcare and education)
Tokenised Asset Trading
Smart contracts are currently being used to run systems. In the case of Abdelfatah, the system he proposes is a political party. Beyond parties, some believe that in the future, entire governments will run as DAOs.
Must Read: Ethereum Foundation: What is a DAO
Excerpt: “DAOs are an effective and safe way to work with like-minded folks around the globe. Think of them like an internet-native business that's collectively owned and managed by its members. They have built-in treasuries that no one has the authority to access without the approval of the group. Decisions are governed by proposals and voting to ensure everyone in the organisation has a voice. There's no CEO who can authorise spending based on their own whims and no chance of a dodgy CFO manipulating the books. Everything is out in the open and the rules around spending are baked into the DAO via its code.”
Some propose that governments are necessary for the management of the state. Unlike tech enthusiasts, they believe the merits and demerits of the technology are not substantial enough to support such claims.
Must Read: Blockchain Technology and Decentralised Governance: Is the state still necessary?
Excerpt: “Undoubtedly, the blockchain has remarkable properties as a distributed ledger, such as efficiency, cost-effectiveness, irreversibility, transparency, auditability, and censorship resistance. Yet, the proposal to decentralize government services through an open, unpermissioned blockchain entails a whole set of unknowns, which may overweight the benefits.”
In our conversation, we discussed DeFi as the tip of the iceberg for blockchain use cases. To hear more about how the technology is being used across the continent (beyond finance). I recommend listening in to my conversations with Chimezie Chuta and Dare Odumade, both based in Lagos, Nigeria. Chimezie currently heads up one of the largest blockchain advocacy networks in the country and Dare is using DLT to solve the problem of counterfeit drugs.
Must Listen:
Episode 136 Blockchain Advocacy in Nigeria with Chimezie Chuta
Episode 143 Blockchain Beyond Payments with Dare Odumade from Nigeria, Founder & CEO of Chekkit Technologies, Inc.
“Companies in every industry need to assume that a software revolution is coming.”
Thinking Point
When Marc Andreeson wrote his epic Wall Street Journal piece back in 2011 (Why Software is Eating the World) he stated that every company should assume a revolution is coming. I now wonder if at the time he envisioned this would also extend to governments? If you believe governments are essentially companies wrapped in cotton, then you foresaw the inevitable. If not, should we emphatically add that software will eat governments too?
Will blockchain technology save the world? It depends on whom you ask. For some, it is the missing link the world has needed to solve problems in business, economics, and politics. For others, it is mostly hype-driven by elitist technological utopians. There are also those somewhere in between who maintain that we should be selective of its uses and aware of its limitations.
Final Thoughts
A healthy tech ecosystem requires a multitude of opinions, views, and constant iterations to maintain critical debate. As the world and technology both evolve we need more thinkers and doers willing to “get dirty” by immersing themselves in both the theoretical and the practical. Technology will continue to eat away but it certainly won’t save the world. That unfortunately or fortunately, is the job of us mere mortals. Abdelfatah is forging ahead with a mammoth of a task. His aspirations are continental in size, but like his father, he will continue to chip away today with hopes of a better tomorrow.Abdelfatah and I covered quite a bit in this conversation:
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Get to Know Abdelfatah’s Childhood Influences
Relocating to South Africa and Calling Cape Town Home
Finding Out About Blockchain
Learning About Abdel’s Projects
Co-Authoring Blockchain in Islam
Introduction to DePo
The Need for DePo across the Continent
Properties of DePo
Challenges Faced on the Project
Technological Infrastructure to Support DePo
Gaining Support and Traction for DePo
What’s Next for DePo?
Lessons Learned
🔶 Visit Rare Birds TV for video podcasts with early stage founders from emerging markets. Our most recent episode features Trinidadian entrepreneurs Carla Williams-Johnson and Jamila Bannister. View Rare Birds TV here. 🔶
As always, thanks for reading and for exchanges, questions, critiques and collaborations message me via joann@rarebirdshq.com.Bye for now and continue to stay Rare.JoXxFollow Rare Birds 👇🔶 FaceBook 🔶 LinkedIn 🔶 Twitter 🔶 Instagram 🔶 YouTube🔶
Subscribe at teamrarebirds.substack.com
About Abdel
The foundation of my education and understanding is built on a unique Geopolitical and Societal diploma completed in the early stages of my growth. This prepared me for an approach not only with a business mind but with a political understanding too. I have grown from financial consultancy experience, language expertise and a large amount of political work to a strong passion in the world of Technology. With my Oxford University Blockchain Strategy Knowledge of the Blockchain Ecosystem/ Innovations in Value Transfer/Decentralized Apps and Smart Contracts/Transforming Enterprise Business Modules and the Blockchain Frontiers as well as my vast understanding and experience in the political and financial arena – my approach to the development of this new technology is unique given my established networks and full stack strategy. I am driven by the desire to succeed and make a difference in all I do – that said, I intend to actively be a part of supporting the education and development.
Greetings Rare Ones🎉,
Welcome back to series 9 Education + Adoption: Blockchain in Africa. Are you new here? Welcome to the family of Rare Ones. This is the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter. Each week I send out this long-form newsletter to our community of Rare Ones as I have unique conversations with early stage startup founders, ecosystem builders, and angel investors from across emerging markets. This long-form newsletter is a deep dive based on themes explored in the podcast conversation.The Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter is written for Emerging Market early-stage startup founders, ecosystem builders, angel investors, and the curious. Rare Ones come here to gain fresh perspective and insights into what is happening on the ground in emerging markets from the people who are creating shifts and driving the action. It is where they can connect through stories that are distinctive, honest, and relatable. Join your fellow tribe of Rare Ones as we course correct and create new narratives together!
Get past podcast newsletters from the archives 👉🏾 here.
Additionally, I send out the Weekly News, an action-packed weekly curation of emerging market blockchain news and blockchain podcasts from across the web featured in the Rare Birds Magazine.
💡A Snippet 💡
Blockchain News This Week:
📑 Africa is Set to Welcome Another Major Cryptocurrency Platform
📑 Brazilian Securities Commission Authorizes the Country’s First Ethereum ETF
Blockchain Podcasts This Week:
📻Angola: Interview with CEO and Founder, YetuBit and Bitcoin Angola
📻Philip Agyei Asare: Bitcoin in Ghana
Get more from this week’s issue (#25)👉🏾 here.
Lastly, receive My Sunday Sevens🌱 a list of seven items I explored during the week.
💡 Quick Recap 💡
☛ Analysis from the Rare Birds Emerging Markets Podcast
☛ News from the Rare Birds Magazine
☛ Updates from My Sunday Sevens
Aurra told me that her inspiration to begin Afridigital came about when she was working as a journalist. She started researching 4IR and decided to do a deep dive. From there she began exploring its relevance to Africa and her country, Zimbabwe. Let’s begin with a series of essential BIG Questions, so together we can collectively understand: The 4th Industrial Revolution & Blockchain.
“There has never been a time of greater promise or greater peril.”
🌱 Essential BIG Question: What is 4IR?
When Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum coined the term the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ most of us were blissfully unaware of what it all meant. For those who understood, it sparked fear, anxiety, hope, and excitement. Throughout the years, we humans have done very well at innovating. Yuval Noah Harari details the multiple revolutions in his widely read book, Sapiens. Below CNCB takes a simpler and more succinct approach, and unlike the book doesn’t predict an ending. I will leave that to your imagination.
👇Have a Glance (i) 👇
Source: CNBC
As mentioned above 4IR is moving at a fast pace. This is a speed never seen before and unfortunately, some are unprepared or simply put: unable to keep up! As a consequence, many are being left behind. The development at which disruptive technologies like blockchain are impacting our lives, are no longer tales of science fiction but instead, science fact!
"[4IR] “Is more developmental. It is about what the tools can do. It is more a mindset shift than it is something that is tangible. The way we think is changing and being influenced by the rapid development of technology.” Aurra Kawanzaruwa
The various waves of innovation have had gargantuan effects on industries, creating transformation and sweeping changes across economies. Disruptive technologies have started and will continue to do the same. Compliments to the internet we now live in a borderless world. As I type from the far East, you read from everywhere else. As visualized below, the time period from which this change occurs is happening at rapid speed.
👇Have a Glance (ii) 👇
Source: Visual Capitalist
Must View: The World Economic Forum on Africa 2019: "Shaping Inclusive Growth and Shared Futures in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Excerpt:“With elections taking place in more than 20 African countries in 2019, the world’s youngest continent is facing a new era. While significant political and economic progress has been made, the continent continues to face significant challenges.
The 28th World Economic Forum on Africa…will tackle these issues by focusing on how to scale up the transformation of regional architecture related to smart institutions, investment, integration, industry, and innovation.”
🌱 Essential BIG Question: What is the connection between blockchain and 4IR?
As Aurra mentioned in her response to my question about blockchain being a pillar of 4IR; it truly boils down to the changes that are driving us from a scarcity economic model to a more abundant one. Now that we live in a digital world businesses’ cannot continue to innovate on models that profit from scarcity. The internet has removed that scarcity. For example, we no longer need to pay for “access” because the internet is our access. Businesses’ have been at the forefront of innovation but this is now changing as technologies such as blockchain give individuals like Aurra the power to affect change.
“It gives power back to the people….It allows us to manage all the digital information and provides a mechanism for organising systems.” Aurra Kawanzaruwa
If we continue thinking in terms of scarcity and abundance, technology is taking us on a path unfathomable to most. Blockchain technology has use cases in a plethora of industries. Data, record-keeping, contracts, and money are consistent themes in our daily lives and wherever they are, blockchain will follow!
👇Have a Glance (iii) 👇
Source: Interesting Engineering
🌱 Essential BIG Question: Why is Bitcoin so important in the blockchain discourse?
Bitcoin for some is an asset class. Bitcoin for some is money. Bitcoin for some is a scam. Bitcoin for some is a philosophy and revolution. Irrespective of where one lies on the spectrum-maximalist or loather-there are individuals like Aurra who are benefitting from its existence.
Like many, Aurra was conflicted about Bitcoin. She thought it was something that internet scammers utilise whilst devising their plots fueled by theft and bribes. At the time, her knowledge was limited. But then, this all changed when her school was at risk of being shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is only once I managed to get Bitcoin as hard cash, did it become real for me. That is when I realised that this is real and the game changed for me. My mind switched and we did not shut down. We managed to set up our distance learning programme….bought a printer, stationery, scissors, glue, pencils, crayons, paper-and started the programme. St. Anne’s was revived through Bitcoin. I look at Bitcoin as a tool for development and the more I started using it, the more I realised its value as a store of value and excellent for saving. We buy Bitcoin for saving at the school. This was my introduction to Bitcoin and we do more with it. We encourage our staff to save with it. It has become a tool amongst our staff and community to give power back and help people gain control of their finances.” Aurra Kawanzaruwa
Must Read: Bitcoin Magazine: Check Your Financial Privilege by Alex Gladstein
Excerpt: “In reality, only 13% of our planet’s population is born into the Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, or Swiss Franc. The other 87% are born into autocracy or considerably less trustworthy currencies. 4.3 billion people live under authoritarianism, and 1.2 billion people live under double- or triple-digit inflation.
Critics in the dollar bubble miss the bigger global picture: that anyone with access to the internet can now participate in Bitcoin, a new money system with equal rules for all participants, running on a network that does not censor or discriminate, used by individuals who do not need to show a passport or an ID and held by citizens in a way that is hard to confiscate and impossible to debase.”
Aurra mentioned in our conversation some of the economic disenfranchisement that Zimbabweans experience. Zimbabwe’s modern history is one to be studied and dissected at length to make sense of its position today as a country wrought with economic woes. In 2008, it had the world’s highest recorded inflation rate in history, at 89.7 sextillion percent.
🌱 Essential BIG Question: What role is Afridigital playing in the discourse around 4IR?
Aurra would like to position Afridigital as an organisation leading the discussion around 4IR across the African continent. Her goals include being represented in each country across the region. She is currently collecting data on how 4IR is being used. Long term she sees Afridigital as a research hub for others to learn and understand how the digital space is evolving around the continent; as well as provide practical tools for adoption. Working with young people and developing youth is at the forefront of her vision.
Final Thoughts
As a repeat guest on the podcast, Aurra has told two stories: one personal and the other professional. Somehow they both seem to converge along the way to give us a sense of her values and more importantly provide some clues as to where she is heading next. Outside of the usual clichés of resilience and the like what is evident, is that she is committed to building for the next generation using the tools which are readily available in her arsenal.
Aurra and I covered quite a bit in this conversation:
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Africa Is Digital: The Inspiration
What is 4IR?
Blockchain as a Pillar for 4IR
Aurra’s Foray into Bitcoin
Meeting and Working with Anita Posch
Developing St. Anne’s
Examples of How Bitcoin Can Be Used in Zimbabwe & Around Africa
Cryptocurrency Revolutionizing How the Continent Evolves
Use Cases and the Potential in Zimbabwe
The Future of Africa Is Digital
As always, thanks for reading and for more exchanges, questions, critiques and ideas message me via joann@rarebirdshq.comBye for now and continue to stay Rare.
JoXxFollow Rare Birds 👇🗝 ⛓FaceBook 🗝⛓LinkedIn 🗝 ⛓Twitter 🗝⛓Instagram
Subscribe at teamrarebirds.substack.com
Aurra is a multi-potentialite with a very broad portfolio. She is currently the Headmistress ofSt. Anne’s Primary School (est. 1947), Executive Director & Co-Founder of Africa Is Digital and Chairman of Aurra Nicole Group. She is the 2019 Africa Science Week (Next Einstein Forum & Purple Futures Trust) – Appreciation Award recipient. She received this recognition for her outstanding work and with sincere appreciation for her tireless efforts in using science and technology for the betterment of society. In 2018 she was the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, Women in Commerce Award Winner in the Social Enterprise category for Little Entrepreneurs.
Greetings Rare Ones🎉,
We have landed on Series 9: Education + Adoption-Blockchain in Africa. Are you new here? Welcome to the family of Rare Ones. This is the Rare Birds Emerging Market PodcastNewsletter. Each week I send out this long form newsletter to our community of Rare Ones as I have conversations with early stage startup founders, ecosystem builders and angel investors from across emerging markets. This long form newsletter is a deep dive based on the podcast conversation. The Rare Birds Emerging Podcast Newsletter is written for Emerging Market early stage startup founders, ecosystem builders, angel investors and the curious.
Rare Ones come here to gain fresh perspective and insights into what is happening on the ground in emerging markets from the people who are creating shifts and driving the action. It is where they can connect through stories which are distinctive, honest and relatable. Join your fellow tribe of Rare Ones as we course correct and create new narratives together!Get past podcast newsletters from the archives 👉🏾 here.Additionally, I send out the Weekly News, an action packed weekly curation of blockchain news and blockchain podcasts from across emerging markets featured in the Rare Birds Magazine.💡A Snippet 💡Blockchain News This Week:📑Meet the Crypto Payment Gateway Startup that Strives to Become the Stripe of Africa
📑Philippine Stock Exchange to Be the Site for Crypto Trading
Blockchain Podcasts This Week:📻 Social Media Trends in Emerging Markets 📻‘No way back’ from China’s bitcoin mining clampdown, says The Block’s Wolfie ZhaoGet more from this week’s issue (RareBirds Issue 24) 👉🏾 here.Lastly, My Sunday Sevens🌱 a list of seven things I have been exploring for the week.🛠 Quick Recap🛠🏳️ Analysis from the Rare Birds Emerging Markets Podcast🏳️ News from the Rare Birds Magazine🏳️ Updates from My Sunday Sevens
This week we enter the rabbit hole of education and adoption by analyzing a few concepts Abbas brought up in our conversation. We will do so with a series of essential BIG Questions, so together we can collectively understand: The Blockchain Potential in Somalia and beyond.
Our fear of technology is really a fear of empowerment. We now have the ability to design the reality we live in, and we have to step up to the occasion.”
Somalia sits in the Horn of Africa. It is a country with a long, complex, rich, and at times turbulent history.
👇Have a Glance (i) 👇
Source: IMTC
The Somali capital city of Mogadishu is expected to have a population of 36.4M people by 2100. A theme we have covered before and which is one widely known and understood is the greying of the populations in Japan and Europe, followed by North America with the contrasts of booming youth populations in developing countries. The top ten countries with the highest group of young people are all in Africa. Somali falls within this list.
👇Have a Glance (ii) 👇
Source: Visual Capitalist
🌱 Essential BIG Question: When we speak of potential what exactly are we referring to? Blockchain (a distributed ledger technology-DLT) and cryptocurrency are often used interchangeably, however it should be understood that blockchain is the underlying technology which enables the creation of a cryptocurrency (the most popular being Bitcoin). The potential of the technology itself goes far beyond cryptocurrency and finance. It should be noted that we also see the terms digital currency and cryptocurrency used interchangeably, but they too, are very different (we will cover this in a separate newsletter).
Must Listen: Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy
The Potential of Blockchain Technology with Chris Dixon
Hash Power Episode 1: Understanding Blockchains
”I think the verification of identity is the biggest win and the lowest hanging fruit. " Abbas Gassem
ID VerificationAbbas mentioned in our conversation the concerns surrounding voter manipulation. Last year South Korea launched a blockchain-based digitial ID programme. The country has been researching blockchain and other DLTs for almost five years. Blockchain facilitates a process which allows individuals to have complete agency over their digital identities, commonly referred to as self-sovereign identity.
👇Have a Glance (iii) 👇
Source: NEC
"The good thing about Somalia is the banks are not powerful. The government doesn't have its own currency (we've been using the dollar for 30+ years). People make mobile payments. The population is young and tech savvy. We have all the right ingredients. "
Abbas Gassem
Abbas and I discussed the fact that banks have been relatively non-existent as a direct consequence of the 1991 war. Bereft of land lines and banks, the Somali telcoms industry flourished. Telcos in Somalia have been a huge success story! In February of this year, Hormuud Telecom Somalia Inc, one of the popular telcos in the country received the first ever mobile money license issued by The Central Bank of Somalia. This was a significant step in providing formal infrastructure for the country’s digital payments system. Mobile money has taken on new meaning in Somalia! A 2018 World Bank report reported, approximately 155 million transactions, worth $2.7 billion, were recorded in Somalia per month. Cash is non-existent in the country with over 70 percent of adults using mobile money services regularly. Some refer to it as a mobile money revolution, which has helped transform the economic landscape and served the most vulnerable.
Thinking PointThe African continent is a leader in mobile money adoption as per the GSMA State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2020; an in depth analysis of the global mobile money system. The African continent had 562m registered mobile users in 2020, this is an increase from 2019 where registered users were at 469m.
👇Have a Glance (iv) 👇
Source: GSMA
All that said, despite the continent’s success as a bastion of mobile money adoption, many Africans still use cash and lack access to digital financial services. This could be to a confluence of factors including high costs of usage or irregular income streams.
Suggested Reading: GSMA State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money
Excerpt: “As predicted in last year’s State of the Industry report, registered accounts in Africa comfortably surpassed the half billion mark. Sub-Saharan Africa has been at the forefront of the mobile money industry for over a decade, and in 2020 continued to account for the majority of growth (43 per cent of all new accounts) (see Figure 2). By the end of the year, there were 562 million registered accounts in the region, over 150 million of which were active on a monthly basis. Although absolute growth was highest in West and East Africa, Southern Africa grew the fastest at 24 per cent year on year.”
To reiterate what Abbas said, banks have no control, therefore the traditional systems that are usually resistant to change are non-existent, there is no incumbent. As for the currency (Somali Shillings), due to the collapse of the government during the war, Abbas told me Somalis have not used their own currency in almost thirty years (most of it is counterfeit) and money transfers are done in dollars.
“Somalia is a cashless society. Moving to a digital currency is not a big issue. Government just needs to take the lead. Adoption is easy because people are already using mobile phones. “ Abbas Gassem
All of this, combined with a youthful and tech savvy population make his country, he believes a perfect fit for using blockchain technology to support a digital currency. He also believes that once the government adopts digital currency, they can increase the tax base.
Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and WomenSomalia currently has a significant number of IDPs many of whom are women. The transmission of aid is often open to abuse by middle men, with proper tracking through IDs he believes blockchain will help with record keeping and tracking.
🌱 Essential BIG Question: Why is having a blank canvas an advantage for countries like Somalia? At the beginning of the conversation Abbas mentioned the blank canvas. Somalia’s civil war in 1991 essentially paved the way for a cashless society. As egregious as war is, it gives countries an opportunity to start again (with the right leadership in place). In 1991 (the same time when Somalia’s civil war broke out) when Estonia declared its independence post dissolution of the USSR it had a blank canvas from which to commence. Today, it is the world’s most advanced digital society. Somalia as Abbas said, is still transitioning from a failed state to a proper government, but with the right moves he believes anything is indeed possible. Whilst Estonia may seem far reaching, even closer to home is Rwanda. An East African country once torn apart by genocide is now arguably its own success story. The country is often referred to as the “Singapore of Africa.” It is widely understood that Rwanda’s leader Paul Kagame has studied the work of Lee Kwan Yew the Father of modern-day Singapore. This is an attempt to emulate the economic model used to propel Singapore from being a newly independent poor country (devoid of natural resources) to one of the world’s most prosperous.
🌱 Essential BIG Question: How else can blockchain be used to transform Somalia?
Blockchain Remittance Service
Blockchain Payments App
Abbas believes that the above are plausible if the current existing frameworks in the country are considered. For example, feature phones are widely used in the country, therefore any payment system should be built with this in mind. Cambodia is a country that has been exploring and implementing blockchain for both remittances and payments.
National Digital Payments SystemIn 2016 Cambodia’s Central Bank began developing Project Bakong, a national digital payment system to support financial inclusion as well as to relaunch the country’s official currency. Like Somalia, most Cambodians prefer and use the dollar. In the Project Bakong White Paper the aims of the project are outlined. Must Read: Project Bakong Next Generation Payment SystemExcerpt: “The use of blockchain technology to develop a central bank digital currency (“CBDC”) has attracted attention of central bankers across the globe. While the digital currency, i.e. Bitcoin, was first created in response to the financial crisis. Since then, several central banks around the globe have been exploring the introduction of CBDC, and new technological innovations arising from blockchain and distributed ledger technology (“DLT”). It is believed that such technologies will not only be capable of developing digital currencies, but also potentially unlock new possibilities with more efficiency. For developed countries, the introduction of CBDC is in line with the declining use of cash, while for developing countries it intends to promote financial inclusion and improve inefficiencies, especially in payment systems.”Suggested Listening: Coindesk Money ReimaginedInside Bakong: How Cambodia Hopes to Leapfrog Into the Future With Digital CurrencyCross Border PaymentsMany Cambodians work in nearby countries such as Malaysia and send their earnings back home. Blockchain is currently being used to enable fast and low-cost remittance payments in the country. SBI Ripple Asia, a joint venture between SBI Holdings (a Japanese firm) and Ripple (a blockchain based payments network), has created Cambodia’s first international remittance service that uses blockchain. SBI Ripple Asia also has remittance services in both Thailand and Vietnam.
🌱 Essential BIG Question: What would it take for implementation to happen in Somalia?Abbas pointed out three key areas where he believes progress can be made:
Presentation to the right decision makers
Tackling challenges one-by-one, beginning with the lowest hanging fruit
Thinking like a startup as opposed to a government-ran project
Final ThoughtsAbbas was clear that Somalia despite all its troubles has potential. I think we have come to appreciate with time that problems can be seen as being too big to circumvent or an opportunity waiting to be explored. The latter requires time, patience and an understanding of the nuance which exists in each country. A systematic yet fluid approach with a view on culture (which includes religion), economics and politics is necessary. Abbas reiterated at the end of our conversation that any vision for entrepreneurial ventures in Somalia or other emerging markets will be achieved with measured thinking, conscious actions, hard work and focus. For him, there is no place like home and contributing to its sustainable development is a noble act driven by purpose.
Abbas and I covered quite a bit in this conversation:
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Abbas’ Background Story & Career Profile
Gawaarida, the online car marketplace
An Introduction to the Tech Landscape in Somalia
Blockchain Regulation in Somalia
The Hawala Money System
Mobile Money in Somalia
The Role of Feature Phones in Digital Payments
Digital Identity for Somali Voting System and Internally Displaced People
What Does It Take To Make This Change?
The Benefits of Not Having Legacy Systems
Lessons from Abbas
Limitless Opportunities in Developing Countries
As always, thanks for reading and for more exchanges, questions, critiques and ideas message me via joann@rarebirdshq.comBye for now and continue to stay Rare.
JoXx
Follow Rare Birds:🗝 ⛓FaceBook 🗝⛓LinkedIn 🗝 ⛓Twitter 🗝⛓Instagram
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Abbas is a dynamic, flexible and results oriented product development, operations professional & entrepreneur. Collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders and learning about the needs of new sectors from scratch to bring innovative ideas and business success. Having worked on a number of product launches in the US, Europe and Middle East. He spent two years spent in Paris working at Ledger.com helping to scale operations revenues from $10M to $90M. Spent five years in Dubai on Product capacity at Careem, Starz Play, and Yahoo!. All this has given him the ability to put on wider lenses when getting an idea off the ground. Addressing all types of issues from finance, HR, sales and marketing. Have good speaking and understanding of Arabic, French and German (elementary).
On leaving the Horn of Africa country after the war, he gained degrees from the UK in BSc Economics & Social Policy and Post Graduate in Computing. His first technology job was with French online price comparison, Kelkoo.com. In 2004, it was acquired by Yahoo! for $650mn. At Yahoo!, he had the opportunity to work for one of the early Internet giants.
During his 10 years at Yahoo! he has been involved in with a wide array of product developments in London, California, and Dubai. In Dubai, he also worked for Careem which was wholly acquired by Uber for $3.1bn. More recently in Paris for Ledger.com who provides security and management of digital currencies. He has now returned to his roots with a Cars Marketplace project (Gawaarida.com) dedicated to Somalia. He describes it as, “New time, new challenges but the same heart and energy to make a difference.”
Greetings Rare Ones🎉,
Are you new here? Welcome to the family of Rare Ones. This is the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter. Each week I send out this long form newsletter to our community of Rare Ones as I have conversations with early stage startup founders, ecosystem builders and angel investors from across emerging markets. This long form newsletter is a deep dive into one or several themes discussed in the podcast episodes.The Rare Birds Emerging Podcast Newsletter is written for Emerging Market early stage startup founders, ecosystem builders, angel investors, those interested in emerging markets and the curious.
This week I share another installment of Conversations with Jo-Ann. This is the third installment of this series where I speak directly with our family of Rare Ones.Get past analysis from the archives 👉🏾 here.In addition, I send out the Weekly News! It is an action packed weekly curation of blockchain news and blockchain podcasts from across emerging markets featured in the Rare Birds Magazine.💡A Snippet 💡Blockchain News This Week:📑Bank of Russia Announces Upcoming Trial For Digital Ruble
📑Chinese cities roll out digital yuan to public transport networks
📑HSBC Joins UAE KYC Blockchain Platform
📑Brazilian National Soccer and Bitci Team up to Release NFT Fan TokensBlockchain Podcasts This Week:📻 Ron Cao of Sky9 Capital, A 20 Year China VC on Semis, SPACs and BlockchainGet more from this week’s issue 👉🏾 here.Lastly, My Sunday Sevens🌱 a list of seven things I have been exploring for the week.🛠 Quick Recap🛠🛡Analysis from the Rare Birds Emerging Markets Podcast🛡 News from the Rare Birds Magazine🛡 Updates from My Sunday Sevens
Time is the most valuable thing a (wo)man can spend.
We have now entered the second half of the year. In this week's podcast newsletter I take a recap of the first half of the year in preparation for the second half. Let’s start with where we have been!
Quarter 1
💡Conversations with Jo-Ann. Episode 161: Sharing Intentions & the Rare Birds Story
Series 7 India: The Global Homepreneur Summit
Episode 162-Meet the Curator Vayjayanti Pugalia
Episode 163: Meet the Partners Aarti, Siya and Aruna!
Episode 164: Get to Know the Speakers
Episode 165: Wrap Up Panel & What Next?
Episode 166: Meet the Fantastic 10-Bonus Content I
Episode 167: Meet the Fantastic 10-Bonus Content II
Episode 168: Meet the Fantastic 10-Bonus Content III
Quarter 2
💡Conversations with Jo-Ann. Episode 169: What are $RONES?Series 8: Puerto Rico: Exploring the Startup Ecosystem
Episode 170 Tech for Everyday People with Fabian Velez Vicente
Episode 171 Building an App for Book Lovers with Lincy Ayala, CEO & CoFounder of BookSloth
Episode 172 Investing in Yourself to Add Value to Your Business with Perla Sofia Curbelo-Santiago
Episode 173 Building a Platform for the Latin American Diaspora with Alan Taveras-Sepulveda
Episode 174: Encouraging Entrepreneurship in Puerto Rico with Gustavo Diaz Skoff
Episode 175: Venture Capital in Puerto Rico with Jennifer P. Hopp, Managing Partner at ATO Ventures
Episode 176: Erica Reyes, the Founder of Puerto Rico’s First School of Coffee and Barristas
Episode 177. Meet Jahannnie Torres-Rodriguez, The Engineer & Entrepreneur Creating Technology with Purpose
Episode 178 Building Global Startup Accelerators that Create Impact with Sebastian Vidal
Quarter 3
💡Conversations with Jo-Ann. Episode 179: Puerto Rico Wrap Up and a Series 9 Summer
Series 9: Education + Adoption-Blockchain in Africa
👇Have a Glance 👇
Source: Rare Birds
Episode 180 kicks off this Wednesday July 7 with Abbas Gassem from Somalia.
Learn more about our new Rare Ones by visiting the Rare Birds section of the platform.
As always, thanks for reading and for more exchanges, questions and ideas message me via joann@rarebirdshq.comBye for now!
________________________________________________________________
Follow Rare Birds:
Subscribe at teamrarebirds.substack.com
Greetings Rare Ones🎉,
Are you new here? Welcome to the family of Rare Ones. This is the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter. Each week I send out this long form newsletter to our community of Rare Ones as I have conversations with early stage startup founders, ecosystem builders and angel investors from across emerging markets. This long form newsletter is a deep dive into one or several themes discussed in the podcast episodes. The Rare Birds Emerging Podcast Newsletter is written for Emerging Market early stage startup founders, ecosystem builders, angel investors and the curious. We are now on series 8: Exploring the Puerto Rico Startup Ecosystem. Get past analysis from the archives 👉🏾 here.In addition, I send out theWeekly News!It is an action packed weekly curation of blockchain news and blockchain podcasts from across emerging markets featured in the Rare Birds Magazine.💡 A Snippet 💡Blockchain News This Week:
📑A Bitcoin ETF is now trading on the Brazilian stock exchange
📑Chinese Payment Giant Alipay Launches NFT Sales
📑El Salvador’s soon getting 1,500 Bitcoin ATMs
📑Paraguayan Lawmaker to Present Bitcoin Legislation Next Month — Aims to Make Paraguay Global Crypto Hub
📑ENGIE, Energy Web Access to Electrify Sub-Saharan Africa with DeFi
Blockchain Podcasts This Week:
📻 Why El Salvador Made Bitcoin Legal Tender with President Nayib Bukele
📻 Meron Estefanos from Eritrea: Bitcoin Can Take Down Dictators Get more from this week’s issue 👉🏾 here.
Lastly, My Sunday Sevens🌱 a list of seven things I have been exploring for the week.
1-Podcast2-Discovery3-Tweet4-Question5-Map 6-Reads7-Infographic Get this week’s Sunday Sevens 👉🏾 here.
🛠 Quick Recap🛠 🛡Analysis from the Rare Birds Emerging Markets Podcast 🛡 News from the Rare Birds Magazine 🛡 Updates from My Sunday Sevens Newsletter
In this week’s newsletter I go down the rabbit hole into the theme of accelerators in emerging markets based on my conversation with Sebastian Vidal. Let’s go through a series of Essential BIG Questions together so we can collectively understand: The Recipe for Accelerators in Emerging Markets.
”Start-Up Chile attracted entrepreneurial talent from all over the world. All with the aim of, on one hand, generating that break in the mentality of the local entrepreneur and, on the other, placing Chile on the peak of the innovation and global entrepreneurship map.”
Sebastian was very clear with me that Startup Chile was intentional and built with a main goal and purpose: To change the nation’s culture towards entrepreneurship and to position Chile as the hub of innovation for Latin America!
The Chilean government knew that their entrepreneurs needed support and they understood that their country was too reliant on the natural resources industry. They identified a clear problem and formulated a solution in the form of Startup Chile. According to the World Bank Chile has been one of the Latin America’s fastest growing economies. Like most countries it suffered immensely during the pandemic. Suggested Reading: The World Bank Chile Country ReportExcerpt: “Despite tremendous economic progress and poverty reduction over the last few decades, the existing policy framework has been insufficient to continue fostering productivity growth and economic diversification, improve labor market outcomes, and further address deep-rooted inequality.” 🌱 Essential BIG Question: What is Chile’s ‘resource rich’ economic story?
👇Have a Glance (i) 👇
Source: Visual Capitalist
Thinking Point
It should be noted that Startup Chile was a response to their local environment and used globalised solutions. This local-glocal model is something that Sebastian explained on the podcast. It is a strategy of innovation and global entrepreneurship which he says had a local focus but with a global outlook.
Startup Chile was launched in 2010 and here are a few milestones from its impact report.
🏴 It was the first program of its kind in the world. 🏴 It has been replicated by many countries around the globe. 🏴 It has received 1600+ applications since its inception. 🏴 Startups have collectively raised over $997M in funding.
👇Have a Glance (ii) 👇
Source: Startup Chile Impact Report
🌱 Essential BIG Question: So how do we replicate it? The idea isn’t to replicate but to learn from the successes’ of the Chilean programme and see how it can be applied elsewhere. This is what Sebastian explained to me in our conversation and precisely what he did when he was invited to Puerto Rico. What is different about Startup Chile is that it never tried to emulate Silicon Valley, Israel or elsewhere. As a starting point, it was aiming to satisfy a local need with one goal in mind: impact.
The Puerto Rico Recipe
Parallel 18 is an initiative created by the Puerto Rico Science & Innovation Trust, a private non for profit organisation. Its mission is, “By 2022, Puerto Rico will be a center of global recognition that develops and retains scientists, companies and entrepreneurs of world excellence, to boost our competitiveness and creativity.” The Puerto Rico Science & Innovation Trust states on its website:
Researchers are our lifeblood.Entrepreneurs are our change-makers.Investors & Enterprises are our catalysts
Parallel18 describes itself as a global accelerator program that offers Puerto Rican and international entrepreneurs access to high-quality business training, mentors, business contacts, and investors to help startups scale from Puerto Rico. It provides equity free funding, office space, and support in an effort to jump-start the island as an innovation hub. 🌱 Essential BIG Question: What about impact?
In the below episode of Crossing Borders below you will hear Sebastian speak about the impact both Startup Chile and Parallel 18 are having in their respective ecosystems. 👇Have a Watch (i) 👇
Source: Crossing Borders
Puerto Rico has tailored the Startup Chile model to suit their ecosystem by:
🏴Building a tech community 🏴Retaining local talent 🏴Repatriation of talent 🏴Creation of a Knowledge Based Economy
By identifying their key problems they were able to build a robust programme which is having impact both locally and globally (glocal model).
Must Read: Startup Chile a Critical Analysis
Excerpt: “The efforts of Start-Up Chile in many ways highlight both the way that government initiatives can be helpful in spurring entrepreneurship; as well as the need for public policy to address all elements of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in order to have maximum impact. While Start-Up Chile can perhaps be tweaked around the edges, it will be important for Chile to identify, and deal with, the binding constraints at the microeconomic level to assure that the efforts of Start-Up Chile are allowed to bear fruit.” 🌱 Essential BIG Question: Which countries have devised their own recipe?IncuBAte (Argentina) Peru (Startup Peru) Mexico(Startup Mexico), Ruta N (Colombia), Start-Up Brazil, MaGIC (Malaysia), Start Up Jamaica and K-Startup Grand Challenge (South Korea) amongst others have all studied the Startup Chile model and devised their own recipe. 🌱 Essential BIG Question: Where do the Startup Chile startups originate?
👇Have a Glance (iii) 👇
Source: Startup Chile Impact Report
Startup Chile is now 11 years old. Since its inception in 2010 it has attracted global talent with many originating from the nearby United States. In last week’s newsletter we explored innovation. Startup Chile is indicative of how countries can foster true innovation using its own resources. It was the first innovation global policy and has successfully acted as a blueprint for others to follow.
Final ThoughtsOne of the most memorable insights I came across whilst studying the Startup Chile model was research that supported the idea that when foreign and local entrepreneurs interact business skills are enhanced. The implication being that behaviours change as a result. As many countries in emerging markets overcome the challenge of building an entrepreneurial culture (and mindset) simple efforts to encourage collaboration, if even at a superficial level can catalyse innovation. As we move away from silos we should also be encouraged to interact with others across the globe who are building startups. Sebastian and I covered quite a bit in this conversation:
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Growing Up in Concepcion, Chile
Being a Curious Child
The Road to Start Up Chile
Deep Dive into Start Up Chile
Building Playbooks for other countries
Puerto Rico Calls
Why Ecosystems Don’t Grow w/o Money
Innovation Challenges Faced by Puerto Rico
The Glocal Experiment Model
Moving to the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust
How to Reach Out to Sebastian
As always, thanks for reading and for more exchanges, questions and ideas message me via joann@rarebirdshq.comBye for now!
➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖ ➖
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Greetings Rare Ones and welcome to the Rare Birds Emerging Markets Podcast.
I am your host Jo-Ann. I started Rare Birds a few years ago because I wanted to learn the stories of startups in emerging markets. This has since evolved into a digital brand with content covering startups and blockchain technology with a sole focus on emerging markets. The Rare Birds Emerging Markets Podcast is where I have conversations with startup founders, ecosystem builders, innovators and investors from across emerging markets.
This is Conversations with Jo-Ann, a small bites episode where you get to learn a little more about the motivation behind the series and what to expect next. Listen in to installment three whereby I wrap up series and provide some details into what's to come this summer with series 9: Adoption and Education-Blockchain in Africa.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS * Puerto Rico Wrap Up * Series 9
Greetings Rare Ones🎉,
Are you new? Welcome to the family of Rare Ones. This is the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter. Each week I send out this long form newsletter to our community of Rare Ones as I have conversations with early stage entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders and investors from across emerging markets. This long form newsletter is a deep dive into one or several themes discussed in the podcast episodes. We are now on series 8: Exploring the Puerto Rico Startup Ecosystem.
Get past analysis from the archives 👉🏾 here.
In addition, I send out the Weekly News! It is an action packed weekly curation of blockchain news and blockchain podcasts from across emerging markets featured in the Rare Birds Magazine.🛠 A Snippet 🛠 💡 Blockchain News This Week:📑 African Crypto Startups Will Get Venture Fund Investments📑The Marathon: Ethiopia and Bitcoin📑Paraguay To Discuss Bitcoin Adoption Next Month
💡 Blockchain Podcasts This Week:📻 What Are the Prospects for a Bitcoin Standard in Africa?📻 Aleks Svetski on Bitcoin as Sovereign Money Get more from this week’s issue 👉🏾 here.Lastly, 💡 My Sunday Sevens🌱 a list of seven(1-Podcast, 2-Discovery, 3-Tweet, 4-Question, 5-Map, 6-Read, 7-Infographic) things I have been exploring for the week. Get this week’s Sunday Sevens 👉🏾 here.🛡 Quick Recap🛡 🛢 Analysis from the Rare Birds Emerging Markets Podcast 🛢 Weekly News from the Rare Birds Magazine 🛢 My Sunday Sevens
In this week’s newsletter I go down the rabbit hole into the theme of innovation in emerging markets based on my conversation with Jahannie Torres-Rodriguez .
Let’s go through a series of Essential BIG Questions together so we can collectively understand: Frameworks for Innovation=Education+ Technology + Entrepreneurship.
“Innovation is anything, but business as usual.”
Jahannie shared with me her passions for education, technology and entrepreneurship. Three tools, which radically transformed her life as a young girl growing up in a disadvantaged community in Puerto Rico. In emerging markets the majority of the populations tend to be young (young is defined as aged 15-29). This group of highly educated individuals suffer from massive unemployment leading to a lack of opportunities. According to the ILO in 2015 youth accounted for 40% of the world’s unemployment. Much of this segment of the population are concentrated in Africa and Asia. 👇Have a Glance (i) 👇
Source: United Nations
🌱 Essential BIG Question: How do we educate students for a future where the jobs are still unknown?As we know most schools are dated and not equipping students with the necessary tools required to leap into the future. Built for the industrial age and alas, still teaching for that age as. As Seth Godin eloquently puts it:
"Every year, we churn out millions of workers who are trained to do 1925-style labor."
Must Read: Teacher Turned Entrepreneur Ana Lorena Fabrega’s BlogExcerpt: On Why Curiosity Sparks Confusion: “When we teach kids a subject like math in isolation, it’s hard for them to see how the pieces fit together with other disciplines. This makes math seem boring and frustrating. Real learning comes from understanding the relationships and interactions across different disciplines. If we were to teach math as an exploration of relationships, with guidance toward noticing patterns, the process would be creative and highlight the utility and relevance of this discipline. Kids would still experience confusion, but in a way that sparks curiosity.”
Suggested Reading: Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World
Excerpt: “I have tried to understand what the skills of successful innovators are and why are they so important to our future. I interviewed highly innovative twentysomethings and then studied their “ecosystems”—the parental, teaching, and mentoring influences that they told me had been most important in their development. I wanted to see if I could discern patterns of parenting that contribute to the nurturing of young innovators. And what about the teachers whom these innovators identified as having been most important in their development—were there any similarities in their methods? Are there colleges or graduate programs that do an excellent job of teaching the skills of innovation, and if so, how might they be different? I also sought to learn what the mentors and employers of young innovators had to say about how these capacities are best fostered.”
🌱 Essential BIG Question: Which countries are the most innovative?
Every year a report is released by the Global Innovation Index which reveals the innovation performance of over 130 economies. They are ranked in the order of: High Income, Upper Middle Income, Lower Middle Income and Low Income. The framework for this report is based on sub-indices focussed around inputs and outputs:Innovation Inputs: 📎 Institutions 📎 Human Capital and Research 📎 Infrastructure 📎 Market Sophistication 📎 Business Sophistication
Innovation Outputs: 📎 Knowledge & Technology Outputs 📎 Creative Outputs
👇Have a Glance (ii) 👇
Source: Visual Capitalist
Switzerland scored really well across all areas and ranked number 1. Overall, wealthy nations lead and middle-income countries consistently do well year after year. In 2014 several African countries were recognised as innovation learners. These were Gambia, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Malawi and Mozambique. Said innovation leaders made improvements to human capital and research as well as market sophistication. Overall Sub-Saharan countries made up 50% of this category in that year. It was mentioned in the report that this region was rapidly changing with constant improvements. 👇Have a Glance (iii) 👇
Source: World Intellectual Property Organisation
Thinking Point
What is the correlation between education and innovation? Countless research reveals that higher levels of education result in more innovation in firms. Thus how is it possible to have such outcomes if educational institutions are outdated? In previous newsletters I have covered that in many emerging markets traditional career fields: engineer, doctor, barrister and the like are considered worthwhile jobs. What then happens to those who have no interest in such roles? One could argue a sense of insecurity drives a society to believe that stable, safe, jobs are the ones that protect from poverty. In countries where this isn’t a concern the younger populations are less likely to feel this pressure. We also discussed culture in previous newsletters. Where some countries may not place a high premium on degrees others do. How do we navigate this dilemma? Some countries have accepted that a change of culture is necessary in education in order to impact innovation. In Northern Europe one such country is Denmark. Their innovation strategy includes a change in culture in the education system. The Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science platform reads.
People are innovative. Employees and entrepreneurs with the right competences are crucial for innovation in companies, organisations and authorities. It requires a workforce with innovative competences and where more have the ability to create and develop their own job. Employee-driven innovation is closely associated with strong Danish cultural characteristics such as flat hierarchies and good collaborative abilities as well as strengths within design and ICT.
It then continues to outline a list of initiatives which will foster innovation. Now let’s turn to a different culture, country and history in Asia. Singapore with a unique history, which includes being a very poor nation when it gained its independence from Britian on 16 September 1963 and later becoming a fully sovereign and independent nation on 9 August 1965. As a country devoid of natural resource Singapore’s main investment has been in Innovation Input: Human Capital and Research. Knowledge-based innovation is the cornerstone and driver of the economy. The government has unveiled several initiatives focussed on research, innovation, and enterprise. The country’s innovation policy also includes the Home Strategy. The Home Strategy is an umbrella term encompassing: ⚙️ Home for Business ⚙️ Home for Innovation ⚙️ Home for TalentIt should be worth noting that Singapore is taking part in a joint venture to create a city in China from scratch (its third such venture, first being in Suzhou and second in Tianjin-both industrial centres). 👇Have a Watch (i) 👇
Both countries have taken different approaches to achieve similar outcomes. One commonality they share is the investment in startup hubs, with a focus on technology.🌱 Essential BIG Question: What are the technologies shaping the future?The future continues to be shaped by technology. 👇Have a Glance (iv) 👇
Source: Suse
”Innovators are shaping Africa’s ‘informal economy,” says Emeka Ajene, Entrepreneur, Founder and Writer. Must Read: AfridigestExcerpt: “A somewhat common feature of developing market economies, particularly in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, is informality. From street vendors to house-help to traders in open-air markets to subsistence farmers & fishermen, personal drivers, roadside barbers, small-scale manufacturers, and more, the informal economy accounts for over 70% of total employment in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, the sector is said to comprise ~38% of the region’s GDP, more than double the figure for OECD countries.” Suggested Reading: Big Think-Ten Emerging Technologies Shaping Our World
Excerpt: “Biometrics allows a system to recognize users by biological markers such as their face, voice, or fingerprint. Many people already have one or several of these on their laptops and smartphones, but as the technology improves and becomes more ubiquitous, it may finally end the password paradigm.
In Latin America and the Caribbean innovations in science are abundant covering areas such as synthetic biology and nanostructures. As Jahannie mentioned Puerto Ricans in particular have faced constant economic and natural disasters which have forced the populace to become agile and adaptive resulting in life-long learners. The ten technologies mentioned above have far greater potential and impact in emerging markets because of their ability to drive economic and social growth. Such growth has impact in crucial areas such a agriculture, health and finance. Below are three examples from Chile, Brasil and Cameroon. ⚗️ Notco, an agro tech business from Chile that uses AI to reinvent food.⚗️ Hand Talk, a health tech business from Brasil that translates the written or oral language to LIBRAS, the sign language of Brazil using 3D technology.⚗️Ejara, a fintech app from Cameroon that uses blockchain technology enabling French-speaking Africa and its diasporas to access various investment offers: fractional shares, commodities and crypto. On the topic of French-speaking Africa the World Bank predicted that by this year 62.5% of Africa’s fastest growing economies will be in this part of the continent. Suggested Reading: World Bank Blog
Excerpt: “Across Africa, entrepreneurs are harnessing technology and creating innovative solutions to tackle some of the most critical issues facing their country—whether it is access to water and energy, health services or financing.” Final ThoughtsJahannie is very passionate about helping those from disadvantaged communities. She attributes her success to her teachers and university lecturers. They identified something in her and provided her with opportunities to excel. From a small community to Stanford Innovation. Her life has been defined by education, technology and entrepreneurship. The work she does today with the Puerto Rican Science, Technology & Research Trust (Puerto Rico’s innovation hub) is an extension of her beliefs that innovation drives change. I am often reminded of what Jahannie told me in our conversation, “Learn things before you need them.”
Jahannie and I covered quite a bit in this conversation:
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Get to Know Jahannie: Focussed Driven
University Experience & Discovering Computer Engineering
Passions for Education, Technology & Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship as a Means to Make Changes
Being a University Innovation Fellow at Stanford University
The Gender Lens & Imposter Syndrome in the Engineering Field
Entrepreneurship Skills as 21st Century Skills
Language to Bridge the Gap Between STEM and Entrepreneurship Disciplines
Working with the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust
Building Edvo Tech, an Education Startup
Examples of Innovation in Puerto Rico
Ecosystems in Emerging Markets
Puerto Ricans as Life Long Learners
Learn Things Before You Need Them
Lessons Learned
As always, thanks for reading and for more exchanges, questions and ideas message me via joann@rarebirdshq.comBye for now!
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Sebastian Vidal is the Chief Innovation Officer at the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Innovation Trust. He is the former Executive Director of Parallel18 an international Startup Program based in Puerto Rico where they support and invest in 80 global companies per year with the goal of having an economic and social impact in the island. After the first year, the program has been able to generate 5 times return the distributed investment.
Before this, Mr. Vidal led government funded program Start-Up Chile, aiming to attract global minded entrepreneurs to his native Chile in order to transform the country in to a world-recognized innovation capital. Through Start-Up Chile, he was able to work side by side with more than 1,000 startups in different stages and industries, managing a 10 USD Million yearly budget and witness a country’s cultural transformation towards entrepreneurship, guiding the program in to become the most innovative company of Latin America according to FastCompany in 2015.
He has also helped develop technology ecosystem public policy strategies in countries like Peru, Brazil, Malaysia and South Korea, and consulted the World Bank for a technology development ecosystem project in Lebanon. He has invested in some startups and also has been a mentor in different accelerators and entrepreneurship programs such as Stanford Ignite, Founder Institute and others.
Greetings Rare Ones,
To new readers this is the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter. Each week I send out this long form newsletter to our community of Rare Ones as I have conversations with entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders and investors from across emerging markets. This long form newsletter is a deep dive into one or several themes discussed in the podcast episode. Before we begin, don’t forget to subscribe and share this newsletter with your friends and remind them to tell their friends too.
In addition, each Sunday I send out the Sunday News! It is an action packed news breakdown of the best curation of blockchain news and blockchain podcasts from across emerging markets. Here is a teaser of some of the Sunday News content to be found in this week’s issue covering w/c 24 May.
💡Chile Deploys Blockchain to Track Renewable Energy Usage
💡 Coinbase leads $6M funding for Indonesian crypto exchange
💡 Crypto will ‘come to life’ in Nigeria, central bank governor says
💡 AkoinNFT to sell historic DNA data art as NFT in collaboration with Oasis Network
For more from this issue go👉🏾 here.
The Sunday News also includes 💡 My Sunday Sevens🌱 which is a list of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 things I have been exploring for the week. Last week I explored:
🌱 Brasil has an interesting DIY NFT Marketplace
🌱 A Nigerian Startup bought crypto with pre-seed money
🌱 China-Caribbean Relations
🌱 A team of Chinese researchers have created 'PanGu', the second GPT-3-esque model to come out of China
🌱 Africa Blockchain Week
For more from this issue go👉🏾 here.
Let’s go through a series of Essential BIG Questions together so we can collectively understand the coffee potential in emerging markets.
“The potential of the average person is like a huge ocean unsailed, a new continent unexplored, a world of possibilities waiting to be released and channeled toward some great good. “
Erica shared a story with me from her first day at University. She recalled that whilst making introductions her peers mentioned their parents were doctors, engineers, teachers and other professionals. When her turn finally arrived she proudly exclaimed agricultoras de café (coffee growers) ! Her fellow students seemed puzzled. It was at this very point that an immediate shift occurred. She knew that the untold stories of the coffee farmers must not continue to be unheard. She grappled: How is it that we can exist in a world where everyone drinks coffee but is blissfully unaware of its source? Coffee 101
Coffee originated in Ethiopia, its trade and cultivation began on the Arabian peninsula. European travelers brought it back to their respective countries. The population seemed to enjoy, then came the demand with an opportunity to cultivate. The Dutch were the first to cultivate the coffee plantations, they profited handsomely. The French wanted in and very long story short they planted a seed in Martinique which was successful. This one tree began the cultivation of coffee in Latin America. Coffee was introduced to Puerto Rico under Spanish colonial rule. The Corsicans who settled on the island during this time cultivated it. They too, profited!
Must Read: Uncommon Grounds by Mark PendergrastExcerpt, “Possibly the cradle of mankind, the ancient land of Abyssinia, now called Ethiopia, is the birthplace of coffee. Situated at the conjunction of the African and Arab worlds known as the Horn of Africa, the mountainous country, split down the middle by the earthquake-prone Great Rift Valley, has a biblical quality—and little wonder. Across the nearby Red Sea, further to the north, Moses led his people to freedom. The Queen of Sheba later descended from the Ethiopian mountains to join King Solomon in Jerusalem, and, according to legend, she founded the Axum dynasty that established its rule in the first century A.D. (a monarchy that continued, with a hiatus between 572 and 1270, until 1974, when Haile Selassie was deposed). “
🌱 Essential BIG Question: How is coffee made?
Below we go on a journey from bean to cup, shrub to mug, etc ad nauseum.
👇Have a Glance (i) 👇
Source: Visual Capitalist
To begin, coffee seeds are planted in large beds under the shade. Tropical climates are ideal for coffee growing with altitude being a plus. The higher the elevation, the higher the quality. Quality soil and an abundant supply of rain are necessary too. The best regions to grow coffee are known as the coffee belt.
👇Have a Glance (ii)👇
Source Mela Coffee
Arabica beans are grown at high altitudes, meanwhile Robusta can be grown at lower altitudes.
👇Have a Glance (iii)👇
Source: German Coffee Association
The so-called Coffee Belt are the best growing regions in the world with a list of over seventy countries on the list. Below are the top 10 coffee producing nations in 2021 (in order of highest production) by metric tonnes.
Brazil-2.6M
Vietnam-1.5M
Colombia-750K+
Indonesia-668K+
Honduras-475K+
Ethiopia-471K+
India-312K+
Guatemala-245K+
Uganda-209K+
Mexico-153K+
Source: World Population Review
The pie chart below puts the above figures in greater perspective.
👇Have a Glance (iv)👇
The entire coffee production process is very intricate with an arduous amount of work involved. Not all of this work by the way is automated. The producers of coffee have for the most part been based in developing countries, conversely the consumers of coffee (again for the most part) have been based in developed countries mainly, Canada, USA, within the European Union, Switzerland and Japan. This however, is slowly changing which I will expand on later.
🌱 Essential BIG Question: What is the size of the global coffee market?According to research carried out by Research and Markets the global coffee market is expected to grow to 28.8 B by 2027.
👇Have a Glance (vi)👇
Source: Research and Markets
Within the overarching market there are subsectors, which can be narrowed down to four groups:
Group 1: The premiumisation-led
Group 2: Income -led
Group 3: Population-led
Group 4: Soft driver-led
Group 1 These are your traditional markets, which I mentioned earlier, mainly based in developed countries. They have a long standing relationship with coffee from a consumption perspective. It is popular, well known and they tend to have the income to buy at high prices.
Group 2 These are countries where the drink of choice has always been tea but as their societies develop economically and a middle class emerges their taste for coffee grows. For example the country that I live in China has a tea drinking culture, however coffee is known as the drink of the urban elite (more on China later). These are the countries that are moving from developing to developed with a mixture of highly developed cities and rural areas. China is a perfect example of this group.Group 3 These are countries where the population is projected to grow significantly in a few years. They may not have the income to purchase at the extent of Group 1 but they have a taste for coffee. Many of these countries are based in Latin America and Africa particularly where the majority of the population are young, agile and tech savvy!
Group 4 In these countries the overall coffee market is still nascent. Global coffee culture ( this isn’t the same as local coffee culture) may not be firmly established but trends in the market appear to be impacting a desire for coffee. Azerbaijan is an example of one such country. Thinking Point
How do these four submarkets create opportunities for coffee entrepreneurs in emerging markets?
Group 2: The China Coffee Possibility
👇Have a Glance (vii)👇
Source: Daxue Consulting
In 1998 Nestle sold its first packet of coffee in China and one year later Starbucks arrived. There are a plethora of specialty coffee shops across China’s tier 1 cities. They are stylish, grande, beautiful, boutique and all the rest. Of course there are domestic chains (R.I.P Luckin), Pacific Coffee, Grey Box, Fisheye and Coffee Box to name a few. As well as Canada’s Tim Horton’s, Sweden’s Wayne’s Coffee, and other chains who have popularised coffee like KFC and McD’s. Lest we forget the behemoth which is Starbucks (one opening every 15 hours)! It is important to note that China is still largely a country of tea drinkers, particularly outside tier 1 cities.
I often joke that a Chinese city has not made it until Starbucks has arrived. The United States has the largest number of Starbucks stores with China coming in second. According to the Starbucks corporate website there are 5000 stores in 200 cities in mainland China. This exact figure is debatable but it seems on average close to 5000 (DOYR)! As stated in Pandaily there will be 600 more stores added this year. As with all things new there are trends and preferences emerging. Despite the Luckin collapse, I do believe it is necessary to understand and explore insights.
Suggested Reading: The Analysis on the Marketing Strategy of Luckin Coffee in China by Qiu Lingyu
Excerpt: “By the end of 2018, Luckin coffee had set up 2,073 physical stores in 22 cities across China, with 12.54 million customers and 89.68 million cups.”
Once you have completed the above reading move along to Ying-Ying Lu and Rui Ma as they provide expert analysis on Luckin and the China Coffee Market.
Must Listen: Ep. 32: Luckin Coffee: Starbucks Challenger or a New Breed of F&B for the 21st Century?Suggested Listen: Ep. 65 (Extra Buzz Special): Luckin’s Luck Ran Out
China has a very low coffee consumption rate however this is slowly changing if you compare it to where it was 10 years ago. Coffee consumption in China has risen by a staggering 1,032% over the last ten years, according to Communicafe.
🌱 Essential BIG Question: Are there any coffee entrepreneurs from emerging markets entering the Chinese market?Rwanda
In 2018 Rwandan coffee (3000 bags to be precise) made its debut in China and sold out in seconds via TMall, an Alibaba cross border import platform. This was made possible due to a deal made between the Government of Rwanda and Alibaba which established the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP), which has created opportunities for small businesses’ on the continent to participate in e-trade with China. Rwandan coffee exporters has since then been selling their coffee on Alibaba’s TMall, which allows Chinese consumers to access overseas goods. Coffee entrepreneurs are able to sell directly to the consumers. Some of these Rwandan Coffee Brands include:
Boneza
Virunga
Gorilla’s Coffee
Bourbon Coffee
Uganda
Frandan Tumukunde is a coffee entrepreneur whose dream is to, “ One day run coffee shops across China, where Chinese people will come to enjoy the uniqueness of Uganda’s coffee.”
In the episode below you will hear context, history, perspective and a conversation with Dr. Emmanuel Iyamulemye Niyibigira, the Managing Director of Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and entrepreneur Frandan Tumukunde. Alongside co-hosts Eric Olander and Cobus van Staden of the China-Africa Podcast.
Must Listen: The China Africa Podcast: Uganda Wants to Make It Big in China’s Booming Coffee Market
Thinking Point
Are there any opportunities for emerging market entrepreneurs to benefit from the youth population in Group 3?
In 2019 Brasil's largest cooperative Minasul launched the world’s first digital currency backed specifically by coffee. Farmers in the collective use the token to buy fertilizer, machinery and non-farm products. The future lies in cutting out the middle man. Can a token project be created to incentivise the urban young educated population in this group to build B2B platforms for coffee entrepreneurs? Some other agro token projects include: Herbalist Token Project and Agrolot
🌱 Essential BIG Question: Outside of farming what other opportunities exist for coffee entrepreneurs in emerging markets?
Coffee Confectionary
Coffee Mugs
Coffee Makers/Grinders, Pressmakers, et al
Coffee Publications
Coffee Box Subscription
Coffee Bags
Coffee Art
Coffee Health and Beauty Products (Soaps, Scrubs, etc)
Coffee Notebooks
Coffee Byproducts
Coffee Tourism
Coffee Lovers Associations
Coffee Influencers (KOLs)
Erica is a bean-to-table coffee entrepreneur wearing many hats that contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Farm Owner
Cafe Owner
Barista School Owner & Instructor (First Spanish Speaker Instructor)
Coffee Taster & Judge
👉🏿 Haitian entrepreneur Rémy Telfils is reimaging coffee in SE Haiti with Cafe Lux.
👉🏿 Kenyan entrepreneur Vava Angwenyi is improving supply chains for coffee producers in Kenya with Vava Caffeine Inc.
👉🏿Sahra Nguyen, the first Vietnamese American and woman-owned importer, roaster, and supplier of beans from Vietnam with Nguyen Coffee Supply.
Final Thoughts
Like Puerto Rico, countries such as Haiti, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo are all reviving their coffee industries with investments and other other initiatives. In Honduras coffee has transformed the entire economy. None of these examples are bereft of critique or challenges. The coffee economy creates jobs and sustains the livelihoods of many families who otherwise would have no other source of income. This interconnectedness extends to transportation, packaging, roasting, dairy, sweeteners and much more!
In 1990 Puerto Rico’s coffee production fell sharply and after Hurricane Maria in 2017, it plunged even further. Many organisations and institutes have been contributing to rebuilding the industry. Like all else on the island progress has been made. Erica started her entrepreneurial journey by working to ensure coffee stories don’t remain untold. In the process she has reminded us that the opportunities exist everywhere so long as we are willing to embrace them. Erica and I covered quite a bit in this conversation:
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
The Coffee Culture in Puerto Rico
Maintaining the Essence of Coffee in the Shop
The School of Coffee and Baristas of Puerto Rico
The Challenges of Running a Coffee Business
Coffee Traveling Around the Globe
Being the First Spanish Speaking Barrista Instructor
Sharing How Different Cultures Experience Coffee
What’s Next for the School of Coffee and Barristas
The Uniqueness of Puerto Rican Coffee
Dealing with Competition
History and Puerto Rican Entrepreneurship
Lessons Learned from the Entrepreneurial Journey
As always, thanks for reading and for more exchanges, questions and ideas message me via joann@rarebirdshq.com
Bye for now.
JoXx
Subscribe at teamrarebirds.substack.com
Jahannie Torres-Rodriguez has a background in computer engineering and business development from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, where she was a first-generation college student. She has over five years of experience developing Innovation and Entrepreneurship ecosystems through the Mayagüez Business and Economic Development Center and the UPRM E-ship Network. Stanford University selected her to join the University Innovation Fellows program and become a change agent in higher education. Recently, the World Economic Forum recognized her as a Global Shaper.
Jahannie is a co-founder of EPIC Makerspace (the first makerspace in her institution), Tech Blast Conference (to expose STEM students to emerging technologies that were not offered in courses), Solidarity Scholarship (to help students from disadvantaged communities, like her community) and Edvo Tech(a professional development company for teachers). She currently works as a Business Development Specialist at Colmena66, a program of the Puerto Rico Trust for Science, Technology and Research. There, her main responsibilities are to coordinate award-winning strategies to increase technology commercialization through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and design, planning and executing data strategies to measure and monitor the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. After developing high impact projects, and working in several industries and research projects, she realized that her passion lies in combining technology, entrepreneurship, and education to create a better society
Greetings Rare Ones,
To new readers this is the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter. Each week I send out this long form newsletter to listeners as I have conversations with entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders and investors from across emerging markets. This long form newsletter is a deep dive into one or several themes discussed in the podcast. Before we begin, don’t forget to subscribe and share this newsletter with your friends and remind them to tell their friends too.
Each Sunday I send out the Sunday News! It is an action packed news breakdown of the best curation of blockchain news and podcasts from across the interwebs. It also includes 💡 My Sunday Sevens🌱. You can find the current issue here. Don’t forget to subscribe!
Let’s go through a series of Essential BIG Questions together so we can collectively understand the anatomy of Angels in an emerging market.
“Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.”
After selling her software company in Silicon Valley, Jennifer forayed into Angel investing. She was invited to Puerto Rico to judge an accelerator pitch competition; and enjoyed it so much, she kept returning for the next three years. She got very involved within the startup community and eventually relocated to the island. She started her VC fund ATO, since moving to Puerto Rico, which focuses on very early-stage startups in the tech sector.
“What was so special about Puerto Rico I asked?” Her response? “They had the same level of drive, intelligence and ingenuity and all the things you see in the startups in the Bay area but the attitude and the culture were different.…They took time to see their families, visit the beach and attend church. They are hardworking but flexible…. they had a different view of the world.”Jennifer brings her knowledge and connections from Silicon Valley but she made an important point in the conversation. She mentioned that investing was all very new when she arrived not because there was no funding but simply because there were no startups. She now has seven local investors in her fund who have taken the lead to invest in the new entrepreneurs on the island. 🌱 Essential BIG Question: What is an Angel investor and how are they different from venture capitalists?Angel investors tend to be HNWI who use their personal finances to take on the risk of investing in a business which they believe has potential. Outside of providing startup funding they also invest their time as a mentor and offer practical experience to founders based on their expertise. They are hands on and lend their support beyond just funding. Conversely, venture capitalists do not invest their own capital but are backed by professional investors (LPs) who invest mid-stage to IPO. The mind map below provides a detailed breakdown of the two, based on key characteristics.
👇Have a Glance 👇
Source: Bigger Plate
Must Read: Y Combinator-Different Types of Investors and Their Incentives
Angel investors are an important component in the startup ecosystem. At the early stages of a business, the odds of failing are high and these individuals tend to take on the risk. More importantly they do so in groups, through associations or networks. As Angels work together they pool capital, which is necessary for startups to grow. It is the ultimate win-win as said investors are able to seek out promising startups and founders gain access to the initial funding needed to get their nascent ventures off the ground.
Thinking Point
Whilst Angel Networks face many challenges, there are many advantages. A few outlined below:
Consistent and efficient deal flow
Improved due diligence and enhanced quality of deal reviews
Better portfolio diversification
Shared goals for government lobbying
Mentorship and education to new investors
Enhanced deal process through collaboration of resources
🌱 Essential BIG Question: What are some of the challenges faced by Angel investors in emerging markets?
As Jennifer mentioned in the podcast the investors in her portfolio in Puerto Rico are not particularly concerned with her associations from Silicon Valley. There tends to be a lack of knowledge about the market and many local investors are in fear of losing money. I remember in Series 5: New Frontiers of Africa Tech of the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast, whilst in conversation with Adeshina John, CEO and Founder of One Kiosk Africa he mentioned clearly that many investors in his native Lagos have lost considerable sums of money and having been “burned” refuse to invest again. This later sparked a bigger conversation in the podcast around how this creates difficulty for other founders to secure funding. There are clear biases in emerging markets towards local investing. As Jennifer mentioned the creation of groups and other educational networks are necessary to counteract this phenomenon. Creating visible annual events and promoting angel investing as a respected profession with membership benefits is also important. As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, celebrating and sharing success stories goes a long way too!
🌱 Essential BIG Question: What opportunities currently exist for Angels?
Must Listen: The Emerging Markets Enthusiast: On investment opportunities and portfolio construction - A deep dive into angel investing with Alex Galvez (Co-Founder @Sila)
In this episode Alex discussed Angel investing in emerging markets. He mentioned the rise of the solo capitalist as well as rolling funds and special purpose vehicles (SPVs) which are all giving options to those interested in investing in startups. Financing led by individuals as opposed to funds is an example of the democratization of capital. What has become apparent is that individuals now have the capacity to invest large sums of capital beyond the early stage startup phase. Said solo capitalist are defined as being the only investment member of the team, writing checks in excess of $50M and competing against traditional funds. In simple terms they are both the firm and the brand. In January of this year Anthony Pompliano of the “Pomp” Podcast interviewed Jeff Morris who shared what he learned as a solo-capitalist and why he has decided to take this path. 👇Have a Watch 👇
Source: Pomp Podcast
Key Takeaways⚫️Speed of decision making
⚫️Confidence in his own abilities to invest
⚫️Preparation of mind to enforce his goalsFinal Thoughts
Jennifer visited the island, met the startups and was smitten. Years later, she remains. Nigerian, Tomi Davies believes in supporting young entrepreneurs. As a serial Angel investor he has pioneered startup investing throughout the African continent. He started investing before it was popular and has witnessed the many changes in the ecosystem. He is the President and one of the Founding Members of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN). The network has three primary objectives:
⚫️Identify and educate angel investors across the continent
⚫️Help Angel investors form networks that are sustainable
⚫️Engage with policy makers on the continent
Suggested Reading: Creating Your Own Angel Investor Group
Capital flows to Africa are considerably small when compared to the rest of the globe but this hasn’t deterred Angel activity. There are various Angel networks in existence around the continent.
👇Have a Glance 👇
Source: ABAN Angels
This is only the beginning, similar to Jennifer when she first landed in Puerto Rico! Out of 55 countries on the continent almost 50% have an Angel network. What do we need to do to ensure there are more Jennifer’s and Tomi’s? I believe we need both to build a robust network of Angel investors across emerging markets. What are your thoughts?
Jennifer and I covered quite a bit in our conversation:EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Jennifer Started Investing In University
Learning About Venture Capital
Moving to Puerto Rico in 2016 via Parallel 18
What Jennifer Believes Makes Puerto Rico Special
ATOS Ventures-Early Stage Venture Capital Fund
An Overview of the Puerto Rico Startup Ecosystem
Puerto Rico Within the Context of Latin America
How to Develop an Angel Network in an Emerging Market Ecosystem
Experiences Working with Companies Pre-Launch
General Startup Challenges Faced by Puerto Rican Startups
The Future of Puerto Rico as an Innovation Hub
Tips from an Investor
More blockchain technology and entrepreneurship emerging markets news, content, podcasts and analysis can be found via Rare Birds.
As always, thanks for reading and for more exchanges, questions and ideas message me via joann@rarebirdshq.comBye for now.JoXx
Subscribe at teamrarebirds.substack.com
Erica Reyes is the owner of Cafe Cola'o in Old San Juan and The School of Coffee and Baristas of Puerto Rico. This is the first and only educational institution dedicated to fostering the growth and training of baristas in Puerto Rico. She has more than 15 years of experience in the coffee industry. The school's main educational resource has certifications from: Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) among other professional development bodies. She has also served as a technical coffee judge in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Sweden, China, Hungary, among others, and as a "coach" of coffee competitions in Puerto Rico, Seattle, Sweden, among other countries. She also holds the title of Technical Judge for the World Barista competition in Italy, as well as becoming the first SCA instructor to offer courses in Spanish to the Spanish-speaking community in the United States.
Greetings Rare Ones,
To new readers this is the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter. Each week I send out this long form newsletter to listeners as I profile early stage entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders and investors from across emerging markets. Before we begin, don’t forget to subscribe and share this newsletter with your friends.
“Culture does not make people, people make culture.”
When Gustavo exclaimed, “ I am going to create a cultural revolution that is interested in hackathons and startup weekends,” he was very intentional. The role of culture in creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem is not to be underestimated.
Let’s go through a series of Essential BIG Questions together so we can collectively understand the role of culture in encouraging entrepreneurship. First, we begin by watching Gustavo’s rousing speech in his TEDxYouth@KC talk.👇Have a Watch 👇
Source: TEDxYouth@KC
🌱 Essential BIG Question: What is culture?
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
Peter Drucker’s words ring true in a multitude of ways. Unfortunately, some things can’t be automated, strategised or defined through a narrow prism for analysis. People are complex, complicated and fickle. Culture is much bigger than language, food and customs it is a mindset which controls behaviour and ultimately how we live our lives. We all don’t value the same things. We all don’t see the world in the same way. Therefore, when trying to change anything, we must first begin with culture. Like Gustavo declared, it requires a cultural revolution. Below, you will see how values are ranked across regions around the world. Have a glance below and draw some conclusions of your own.
👇Have a Glance 👇
Source: Visual Capitalist
Although there are some consistent universal values such as family, community and loyalty, overall there is much variation. Americans value freedom of speech, the rest of the world, perhaps not as much. There appears to be many similarities between Africa and South America, specifically around community, loyalty, tradition and respect. Throughout Asia, social standing was consistently highly valued. As we can see, there are nuances even within a region. Therefore, understanding culture is a necessary precursor to affecting any change in a society. A lack of entrepreneurial activity in emerging markets goes much further than impacting economies. This is because the impact trickles down to the lives of everyday people. If the spirit of entrepreneurship is nonexistent and there are no success stories to complement the spirit how does one then successfully build a culture of entrepreneurship? 🌱 Essential BIG Question: What are the key ingredients required for building an entrepreneurial ecosystem?
Ideally we need the following (this list is not exhaustive):
⚫️Policy
⚫️Finance
⚫️Markets
⚫️Human Capital
⚫️Support
⚫️Culture
Thinking Point
What if we promoted entrepreneurial education? Many universities over the years have started including entrepreneurship in their curriculum. Babson College in the United States (where Gustavo attended university) is considered the world’s #1 university for entrepreneurship. In emerging markets this isn’t so popular and generally building a culture of entrepreneurship remains a significant challenge. Listeners of the podcast know that this is a consistent theme amongst guest who often share that they held back from pursuing entrepreneurial ventures because it was not seen as an acceptable career choice by their parents and society. Where I live in China, up until recently, entrepreneurs were viewed as people who failed at having a ‘real career’. This has obviously changed and continues to change as entrepreneurship now attracts some of the brightest minds in the country. Success stories (along with a host of other factors) have also been a significant part of the change in mindset.🌱 Essential BIG Question: Why do we need success stories?Stripes acquisition of Paystack in Nigeria wasn’t just a success for its founders or the ecosystem. It was a message to those traditionalists who, unfortunately don’t believe that such successes’ are real or possible until they are validated by large organisations such as Stripe and more so foreigners. I do not say this to imply that the acquisition was not a massively great feat, it absolutely was but my point is: there are those who need those types of “wins” in order to believe. There is a reason why Angel networks are hard to come by in emerging markets ( I will touch on this in my next newsletter). Many of the elite in these countries invest in traditional industries such as real estate or simply take their money outside the country.
This mindset is persistent throughout many countries in emerging markets. Stripe was also an encouragement for the many who are still trying to convince their parents, spouses and friends that what they are building matters. Stable jobs and higher education are still viewed as the paths to guaranteed success. Many emerging market countries have legacy policies which hinder progress and are often prioritised over all else. Thinking PointVision over legacy, of course, but what if the vision includes Silicon Valley? How many times have we heard or seen the following:⚫️ The Next Silicon Valley⚫️ Silicon Valleys Around the World⚫️ The Silicon Valley of…Slowly we are starting to see more of the following:⚫️ Beyond Silicon ValleyI have seen many threads on the interwebs with discussions on how emerging market countries can build their own valley. My question is: Why should Lagos, Sao Paulo, Bengaluru, Shenzhen etc ad nauseum build Silicon Valley? We all admire and love the valley but should it go beyond that?
Silicon Valley
Dr Daniel Isenberg, Professor of Entrepreneurship Practice at Babson College Executive Education and Founder of the Babson Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Project has discussed in the past, how many governments in developing countries across the world have been spending massively on investments which they believe will foster technology based entrepreneurship, mostly in an attempt to replicate Silicon Valley. He asserts this is problematic not only because it takes a long time to create such an ecosystem but also because there can only be one Silicon Valley. The Valley was created under unique circumstances, which many emerging markets do not have the resources to replicate (I will go deeper into this in my next newsletter). Moreover, the culture of Silicon Valley is unique to its values, so how can it be possible for San Juan or Kuala Lumpur to replicate those values? Why not capitalise on what you have within your arsenal. We are after all best at being us! Silicon Valley is already taken.
Beyond Silicon Valley by Venture Capitalist and Professor Michael Goldberg and Beyond the Valley: How Innovators around the World are Overcoming Inequality and Creating the Technologies of Tomorrow by Ramesh Srinivasan are two books I highly recommend for those who are ready to explore this idea further. You are also welcome to listen into the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Episode 49 whereby my guest Michael Goldberg (aforementioned) discussed the same.
🌱 Essential BIG Question: How do we change mindsets?Incremental changes eventually lead to big shifts. That said, understanding the role plays in the future, helps out chart a course from the present. Beginning with the end in mind, I’d like you to have another watch, which was extracted from Jacob Morgan’s book, The Future Leader. Based on his research with over 140 CEOs, below he shares what it will take to be a leader in the next 10 years. 👇Have a Glance 👇
Source: Jacob Morgan-The Future of Work
How do we drive change when the culture sees no benefit? Change is hard and most resist, but it is important to remember that culture can do two things:⚫️ Localise ⚫️ Adapt
At age 18 Gustavo spearheaded a large initiative which involved mobilising the first youth-led non-profit organization for aspiring entrepreneurs in Puerto Rico. He worked with government, gaining the support of three agencies (#thosewhohavedoneitknowit is a mammoth of a task). Challenges? Immense! But as he stated in is TedxYouth@KC talk his intention was to drive change. Final Thoughts
At the beginning of our conversation Gustavo shared with me how his Jesuit education shaped the man he is today. His values were firmly grounded in service, which began at school. Our values begin at home, but then they are reaffirmed or challenged at school. This extends to our friends and other networks. Children spend a majority of their time in school. I often share the story of Ishmail and Jakob, two students living in a developing country. ⚫️ Jakob attends school daily. He is told that his future rests in acquiring an education. He scores well on all the exams. He receives high marks each time and is celebrated for being bright and clever. He consistently works hard to become what is expected: doctor, solicitor, accountant, or engineer. He is rewarded and validated for being a good student and is told that his future is secure.
⚫️ Ishmail attends school daily. He is often bored but is filled with big ideas. He is not a star student, spends most of his days tinkering, day dreaming and as his teachers say, “Highly disengaged.” His parents are often told, “He could be better if he only worked harder.” He moderately passes his exams. He is often chastised for not applying himself.I usually share this story to stress the importance of catering to the uniqueness which exists amongst learners but also to stress the point that educational systems are outdated.
Gustavo attended a school where he was taught to value service and as a result he defined success as doing what was right for his community. At age 25 he has achieved many ‘firsts’ and has devoted his entire career and life to service. In building an entrepreneurial culture what do we need to do ensure that Jakob, Ishmail and Gustavo can thrive equally in their unique ways to contribute to their societies? Ultimately, many will be needed to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders with an entrepreneurial spirit!Gustavo and I covered quite a bit in our conversation:
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Get to Know Gustavo
The Influence of the Jesuit Missions
Founding a Youth Organisation at Age 18
Encouraging Youth Mobilisation
The Experience of Attending Babson University
Mindset for Entrepreneurs
Building Community Focussed Projects
The Coffee Scrub
Let’s Go Hustle: Online Course for Entrepreneurs
Click Funnels-A Marketing Company
Island Relief Team-Post Hurricane Maria
Puerto Rico’s First co-living Space Team House PR
Recalling the Devastation of Hurricane Maria
Building Based
Understanding the Problem Based is Solving
Lessons Learned
Take Pause
More blockchain technology and entrepreneurship emerging markets news, content, podcasts and analysis can be found via Rare Birds. As always, thanks for reading and for more exchanges, questions and ideas message me via joann@rarebirdshq.comBye for now.JoXx
Subscribe at teamrarebirds.substack.com
Jennifer is the Managing Partner of ATO Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm based in Puerto Rico that funds technology startups in USA and LATAM, with special focus in PR. She has been building companies and investing in startups as a Limited Partner (LP), Venture Partner, Angel and Venture Capitalist (VC) for over 20 years.
Jennifer began investing in the capital markets at age 19, while an undergrad at Oxford University. She became an LP in an early stage Venture Capital fund at age 23. Several years later, Jennifer become a Venture Partner with Outsell, and then an active startup Advisor and Angel Investor. She founded ATO Ventures in 2018. The fund had its first close in 2019 and will do a final close in 2020. ATO Ventures is currently deploying capital while also completing its raise.
As an entrepreneur, Jennifer started her first company at age 8, but she officially became a tax-paying citizen at age 10. After University, she was a testifying & consulting Commercial Damages Expert before returning to her passion - entrepreneurship! She founded her software company, WeMakeItSafer, shortly after attending business school at UC Berkeley. After launching in 2011, the company was acquired in 2016.
Along the way, Jennifer also held two interim CEO roles and has been advising startups on identifying revenue models and the importance of validating markets before launch. Now, Jennifer is using her expertise to help other investors achieve higher returns at lower risk through ATO Ventures.
Jennifer began visiting Puerto Rico as an Parallel 18 mentor in 2016 and quickly fell in love with the island. She is now happy to call San Juan home and is fully committed to supporting and growing the quickly emerging startup ecosystem in PR.
Gustavo Diaz Skoff grew up in the Startup Ecosystem in Puerto Rico. At 18 years of age, he founded the first youth-led non-profit organization for aspiring entrepreneurs in Puerto Rico with the support of 3 Government agencies. During his time at the #1 School For Entrepreneurship (Babson College), he studied and produced the only non-government commissioned study of Act 20 & Act 22. At 24 years of age, he built his fair share of companies (crash & burned them), worked with a wide array of firms, led last-mile data gathering efforts with 78 mayors in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria, and performed some incredible stuff.
Greetings Rare Ones,
To new readers this is the Rare Birds Emerging Market Podcast Newsletter. Each week I send out this long form newsletter to listeners as I profile early stage entrepreneurs from across emerging markets. Before we begin, don’t forget to subscribe and share this newsletter with your friends.
“The important thing is not to stop questioning.”
Let’s go through a series of Essential BIG Questions together so we can collectively understand the inner workings of startups who build for the diaspora. 🌱 Essential BIG Question: How are diaspora entrepreneurs contributing to the entrepreneurial ecosystem?
According to the Migration Policy Institute, “Diaspora entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to recognise opportunities in their countries of origin, to exploit such opportunities as “first movers,” and to contribute to job creation and economic growth. But many developing countries have had only limited success in attracting diaspora direct investors and entrepreneurs to their countries of origin or ancestry.” Thinking Point
What if the entrepreneur is at home, uniquely positioned to recognise the opportunities to meet the wants of the diaspora and satisfy the needs of local entrepreneurs ?Research surrounding the diaspora tends to fall into one of the following categories:
⚫️ Engaging the diaspora to invest at home ⚫️ Mobilising diaspora entrepreneurship for development⚫️ Unlocking the potential of the diaspora to invest at home
In recent years numerous governments have failed (with the exception of Israel) at attempting to engage, mobilise and unlock their diaspora. It is worth mentioning that remittances are not investments, as these are monies sent to kith and kin for personal use. Alas, some emerging market economies are remittance reliant.
👇Have a Glance 👇
Source: Visual Capitalist
Note the outflows, with the top four countries being the USA, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Germany. The German government seems to be taking action on this. They have been very actively working with diaspora communities to assist them with investing at home. Have a look at their remittance platform which aims to support entrepreneurs based in Africa. 👇Have a Watch 👇
Source: WIDU Africa Youtube
The German Investment Corporation (DEG) portfolio currently encompasses the key areas, which are all in emerging markets: Latin America, Asia and Africa. Africa specifically was allocated its own €1 billion fund for boosting private investments. The fund facilitates German business entry into African markets. The fund has three pillars: Africa Connect, Africa Grow and the Business Network Africa. Below is a snapshot of the DEG portfolio as of 2019.
👇Have a Glance 👇
Source: KFW Deg
Thanks for being here, take a minute to share this with post with your friends.
What about the entrepreneurs?Startups like Brands Of are filling the gap(s) where many governments have been unsuccessful. Moreover, they are putting a twist on the concept of “diaspora” entrepreneur. 🌱 Essential BIG Question: What problem is Brands Of solving for the diaspora?Alan told me during our conversation that it all began when both he and his brother left home to study abroad. He left for Argentina and his brother for Boston. As is the case when sons and daughters of the soil migrate they long for home. This is when relatives step in by sending packages to make them feel connected. Upon returning home, Alan and his brother came to a few conclusions:Defining the Problem⚫️ There are more Puerto Ricans living outside of the island than on the island i⚫️ Puerto Rican Mums frequently send care packages to their children abroad⚫️ The Puerto Rican diaspora has significant purchasing power⚫️Puerto Ricans feel nostalgia for home, there is an unmet want
The idea was born, so it began but then it changed. The brothers entered Parallel 18 #workhardplaytropical. They met a mentor, Ken Kay who told them, “A company that caters to 6 million people is not fun, so choose something else.” He continued, “You have 60 million Hispanics in the USA, why not focus on that?” The current number is 60 million but the forecasts are telling 111 million by 2060.
👇Have a glance 👇
Source: Statista
Back to the point….👇🏼 The Inflection Point
All entrepreneurs experience the challenge of developing a product. Enter the course correction and the opportunity to take on a bigger risk: moving from 6 million to 60 million consumers. 🌱 Essential BIG Question: How will this business create value for this expanding market?
Brands of has capitalised on many opportunities along the way. They have developed a clear value flow and an ecosystem to support the companies selling on the platform. Below are the current revenue streams for the business. ⚫️ Advertising⚫️ Business Intelligence⚫️ Transaction Fees⚫️ Fulfillment CentreExpanding Beyond Puerto Rico
Alan told me Brands of will continue to expand into more markets. The company is currently operating in Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Guatemala. He told me Latinos appreciate experience, which is the path for the company’s success. The focus will be to continue growing the customer base by creating a sense of home. Alan spoke about his company in a recent Based interview. Based was Founded by this week’s podcast guest Gustavo Diaz Skoff. I look forward to introducing you to him this week. In the meantime….
👇Have a Watch 👇
Source: Based
🌱 Essential BIG Question: How will e-commerce entrepreneurs adapt to the evolving landscape?The Evolution of Ecommerce
The pandemic economy has notably changed shopping habits. Not only are more people shopping online but their priorities in spending has shifted. According to JP Morgan Research spending has increased across all sectors globally.
Source: Visual CapitalistWhere I live in China video ecommerce is a major component of the shopping experience. According to a16z Social Strikes Back, “Taobao, China’s largest ecommerce platform, 42 percent of product pages already include short videos and live streaming is growing quickly. From January to August 2018, the company generated more than $15 billion in sales through livestreams, up nearly 400 percent over the year before.” One [insert me] can easily spend hours in their Taaobao or JD app parsing through countless videos. It is quite fun but not so good on the pocket!Community Group buying is another model which is quite popular in China. Lilian Li in her popular Chinese Characteristics Newsletter describes it as, “The hottest and least understood e-commerce model.” It is a model which leverages WeChat to enable group purchases with the help of an assigned community leader.
Final ThoughtsEntrepreneurship and migration are at the top of government agendas across the globe. The work of Brands Of and other similar startups are an important factor in the equation of economic development. It would be impossible to achieve the goals of engaging, mobilising and unlocking the diaspora without the labour of the “diaspora” entrepreneur. The biggest challenge for the diaspora community revolves around trust. When one hears diaspora they often think of those who have left. Their obligation is to send “home.” In this instance the diaspora entrepreneur has never left. He or she is at home with an obligation to send “away.” This new narrative enables home in a way that is not often explored. It also circumvents the trust issue. I remember Alan and I briefly touched upon the social contract which exists between the diaspora and their home country. Social glue presents itself in many forms: food, music, customs and the like. In this world of copycats and declining trust, Brands Of is providing social glue to diaspora communities who long for home in a way that cannot be fulfilled by simply sending money. The best social glue is those that don’t feel like an obligation. Everyone has signed up willingly. This is the workings of the new diaspora entrepreneur. It is how Alan Taveras-Sepulveda will create the biggest catalogue of authentic LATAM brands to cater to the US Hispanic community.Alan and I covered quite a bit in our conversation: EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Get to Know Alan
Learn the Story Behind Brands Of
Expanding into Other Markets
Defining the 60M Latin American Diaspora in the USA
Moving Beyond Remittances to Support “Home”
Diaspora Investment as a Social Contract
Understanding the Revenue Model
Supporting Small Brands whilst Winning Big Brands
A Discussion Around Government Structure
The Future of Brands Of: Innovation & Cultural Marketplace
Lessons Learned
Be Comfortable with Accessing Capital
The Importance of Patience
As always, thanks for reading and for more exchanges, questions and ideas message me via joann@rarebirdshq.comBye for now.JoXx
Subscribe at teamrarebirds.substack.com
Alan is the co-founder and owner of Brands Of (alongside his brother). They were both studying abroad when they experienced the nostalgia many do when abroad. This was the beginning of their company, Brands Of, a startup company committed to exporting goods from Latin American countries and providing a drop shipping-plus-fulfillment service from Puerto Rico. Brands of looks to supply consumers especially the Latin-American diaspora with the brands and products they love from their home country while enabling local entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to export. We are building the largest quality based catalog of Latin-Americans products and brands “The concept of Brands of started with Brands of Puerto Rico. In the first days of March 2014 Puerto Rico’s bonds degraded to junk because of the ongoing economic crisis, parallel to this a greater number of Puerto Ricans started moving to the continental USA looking for more opportunities. We saw this as a great opportunity for the local entrepreneurs to start exporting their products and brands to satisfy the growing market outside of Puerto Rico created by the diaspora. Since our background is based on technological entrepreneurship, it was natural to us to create a platform where the diaspora could buy the products they miss while supporting the brands they love.”
My name is Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago (Sofía is my middle name, and Curbelo-Santiago are my parent´s last names). I was born and raised on the tropical island of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory. I currently live on the Island. Since I was a kid, I was always interested in flowers and plants. I used to have my own garden lot in my parent´s backyard. I remembered going around the neighborhood collecting flowers to bring back home. I noticed how the vase with flowers changed the room’s mood and everybody around it. That was my early horticultural therapy experience. I´m interested in helping people, especially women, to adapt and use Nature/Gardening as a tool for their wellbeing.
I´m a professional communicator with a long experience in radio, television, and newspapers. I majored in Psychology, from the University of Puerto Rico, and hold a master´s degree, in Public Relations, from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. I´m Certified in Horticulture Therapy (2019) from the Chicago Botanical Garden. I´m a natural connector, educator, and speaker for corporate and general audiences. I´m an active member of Garden Communicators International (since 2017). Also a member of the American Horticultural Therapy Association. I have worked/collaborated with well-known companies and brands like Ford Motor Company, Walmart, FirstBank, Garnier, and Corona Tools, to name a few. Besides Spanish and English, I speak fluent Italian. I love botanical gardens, The Secret Garden theme, reading, Netflix, baking, the Fall season, and going for a power walk. If you´re interested to know more about our work at Agrochic, the Latino market or want to create a special collaboration, send me an email via perlasofia@agrochic.com
Lincy Ayala is Co-Founder and CEO of BookSloth. Lincy began her career as a biologist, whose love for animals had her working at a Nonprofit Wildlife preserve. Soon after, she re-discovered her passion for design when preparing graphics for the wildlife enclosures. From there she became a freelance developer/designer and has worked with multiple companies over the last 6 years. Her work has included designing responsive and interactive designing website layouts, mobile apps, user experiences, and physical products, among many others. Her technical experience includes knowledge in: UX/UI Design, Web and Mobile Design, prototyping tools and project managing software. Lincy has collaborated with WomenTechOver, a community of women who get together to talk about their technology projects and inspire other women to pursue tech careers while also advocating for more inclusive work environments. If she’s not working, you’ll find her cuddled up reading some YA or Fantasy book.
Xiomara Figueroa is Co-Founder, and CTO of BookSloth. Xiomara grew up in the central highlands of Puerto Rico to become a first-generation undergraduate student at the University of Puerto Rico. She started by studying architecture, eventually switching to biology until her junior year when she took an introduction to Computer Science course by chance, and fell in love with the practical aspect of it all. She considers herself deeply committed to diversity in tech and education. That led her to co-found Include Girls, a student led non-profit organization for women in STEM fields. She attributed her community-driven attitude to her fellowship with CODE2040, a non-profit organization that supports Black and Latinxs in tech. Since then she has focused her work on building with technology and giving back to the community by serving as a mentor and role model.
Fabián Vélez Vicente, also known as “Favo”, is a Puerto Rican tech serial entrepreneur and full stack developer that is currently the President and CEO at Link Puerto Rico, a Puerto Rican organization that aims to facilitate world-class and accessible experiential education and initiatives in technology and entrepreneurship related fields, Chief Technology Officer at Viva Advertising, a Puerto Rico based marketing agency that helps small to medium-sized business take their brand and products to the digital landscape. He is the manager of the digital content creator and brand called Gerry Stories, and a Full-Stack Web Developer with over 6 years of experience. Since his early teen years, Fabián has been focused on creating innovative solutions through technology for communities, through his extensive participation in hackathons and development work with local and international companies.
After 3 years of primarily focusing on software development projects and the landfall of Hurricane María in Puerto Rico, Vélez started his entrepreneurial journey, with 3 other co-founders, Link Puerto Rico to help kickstart the technology education sector. As he continued to gain experience as a social entrepreneur in the technology field, he also decided to start working on a startup marketing agency called Viva Advertising, along with 3 other co founders. In the future, Fabián wishes to continue to focus his work in the technology and social impact fields through his initiatives in startups, nonprofits, and digital brands.
Greetings Rare Ones,
This week’s podcast is another installment of Conversations with Jo-Ann. To begin, we are a tribe of Rare Ones building early stage startups across emerging markets. In this latest podcast episode I discuss $RONES. I shared with you that we use them as a reward system to celebrate loyal fans. Let’s go through a series of essential BIG questions together so we can collectively glean a better understanding of what they are.
Essential BIG Question: What is money?
In this week’s Monday News I asked a question: What is money? Compliments to Ledger’s School of Block for the explanation. It will cost you 11 minutes and 35 seconds. This is the trade-off for starting your first deep dive into this topic. What are you trading? Time. What do you gain? Understanding.
👇 Have a watch. 👇
Now that you have watched the video, you are probably thinking what does this have to do with $RONES? People often ask me, “Is this real money?” “Why are you calling it money?” “What can I buy with this?” As stated in the video there are/were many different forms of money. Throughout history human beings have been using all manner of things as a value of exchange. We humans have always been a resourceful lot. Depending on how you learn, you may need more than 11 minutes and 35 seconds for the below infographic.
👇Have a glance 👇
Figure 1. The History of Money: Visual Capitalist. Accessed 5 March 2021, https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-history-of-money-explained-infographic/
Right! So you see dear Rare Ones, money, like all else continues to change.
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” Alan Watts
Let’s dance…🚀 Essential BIG Question: What is Social Money?Now that you have warmed up to the idea of money evolving, let’s go down the rabbit hole of social money. 🐰 🕳 🐰 🕳 The rise of social networks has birthed the concept of social currency and the like economy. The LIKE has taught us that there is currency in content.
Give this video a LIKE if you enjoy this content.
Smash the LIKE button if you want more like this.
If you LIKE what you see let us know by clicking below.
Make sure you LIKE us and write a review so more people can find us.
In 2006 Facebook introduced the LIKE, YouTube introduce it’s LIKE in 2010, Google and Twitter both incorporated their LIKES in 2015 etc ad nauseum. The LIKE is pervasive in social media networks and beyond. The LIKE has become a phenomenon. Recent research from the Royal Society for Public Health (RSHP) concluded that the LIKE button is the most toxic feature on social media. Said research isn’t the focus of this newsletter, however I thought it necessary to advise that all LIKES aren’t LIKED by everyone (you see what I did there?😂)
In June of last year Coin Desk wrote an article where it stated that creators are able to, “Have birth-to-death control over their content.” Social money extends the LIKE beyond platforms (like the ones mentioned above) to the community. It adds a layer of economics. I create a digital brand called Rare Birds. I want to then build a community. I call my family Rare Ones, we have our own culture, language and identity. Why not have our own economy? Those who live, eat and breathe the culture get exclusive access by earning and claiming rewards. You get “IN” and feel a stronger connection to me and what we are building together. You don’t simply LIKE you ARE. You are now sharing a special bond with all the other Rare Ones around the globe. In case you have missed who they ARE you can see some of them here and continue to view as they are updated weekly. Social money is the new LIKE but better and you hold the value.
At present $RONES give you access to our private community. Additionally, you claim rewards to special content as and when. What you should know is that with time this will evolve and you can have a direct say in how and when that occurs. Lets keep going.🚊 Essential BIG Question: What is the future of money?As you can imagine there are many views. Here is what I do know, which is anecdotal. I currently type this newsletter from China, a cashless and digital society. I honestly can’t remember the last time in my almost four years of living here that I encountered cash. My life is a smattering combo of Weixin and Zhifubao; a world of super apps. Contrast this to when I was growing up in the Caribbean and my parents often sent me to the bank to deposit checks on their behalf. Fast forward to 2021 where Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency, is valued at approximately $58,000. One can conclude much about the future of money from the above. Now let’s see what the experts think.
👇 Have a read. 👇Author: Soulaima Gourani presented a view in the World Economic Forum, which included, “Money changes societies, and societies change money. This is how it has always been and will continue to be.” Alex Tapscott , CoFounder of the Blockchain Institute wrote in a Coin Desk Essay, “If you want to understand our collective future, follow the money.” Neha Narula, told us in her TedTalk about the Future of Money. She began by sharing the story of the Yapese people in Micronesia, who use stone as currency. She laid out a case of what money is: a collective story we tell each other about value! I always like to start with self. What stories have you been telling yourself about money?
👇 Have another watch. 👇
To discuss the future of anything is to also discuss technology. So much of the future of money is connected to the technology that will enable its transformation. One of these technologies is called blockchain. In a similar vein a conversation about the future of money cannot be had without mentioning Andreas M. Antonopoulos, British-American entrepreneur, author and speaker. If you would like to learn his views on the future of money, you can start here.👇 Have a third watch. 👇
There are a plethora of sources available to conduct more of your own research into the state of money. One such source is Decrypt, fully equipped with up-to-date news, reports and a podcast there is much content to get lost in. In their most recent podcast episode they shared the launch of their first token. Here you can examine for yourself a use case for rewards for building better relationships.
👇 Have a listen. 👇
There is much more to explore where money is concerned. My hope is that I have achieved my objective, which was to share what $RONES ARE through a series of Essential BIG questions.
Stay up-to-date with $RONE rewards by reading the weekly Monday News. At present, we are preparing for series 8, which launches on 7 April. You can read more about it in this week’s Monday News. We are approaching warmer climes here and I feel like heading back to the Caribbean, albeit virtually. See you soon in Puerto Rico.
Bye for now, 👋 👋JoXxDisclaimer: I am not a financial advisor and what I have provided above is not financial advice. I (nor Rare Birds) am not sponsored or affiliated with any of the persons or companies mentioned. This newsletter is for informational purposes only.
Subscribe at teamrarebirds.substack.com
Conversations with Jo-Ann is a series whereby our Chieftess speaks directly with the Rare Ones about topics related to the community. This is installment two whereby she discusses $RONES. Listen in and share with us what you think.
Shubhra Misra, is a homepreneur. She has worked in special education for 15 years. She has been a foodie and cooking is one of her favourite pastimes. She attended a making workshop and loved the experience. From there she started making chocolates for friends and family.
Ruchi Chavan is the Founder of Ela Crafts Studio started off as a dream of 3 sisters who grew up in the beautiful valley of Dehradun in North India. Their nature inspired designs are mainly in recycled wood. They create coasters to cheese/snacks platter to chopping boards to tea light candle holders with woodburn pattern to your kitchen or home utility/decor creatiins. They are also into rustic look name boards. They believe in doing simple things a little differently.
Pratiksha Mundye is the Founder of 'Sringar Jewellery'. Sringar Jewellery deals exclusively in designer handcrafted terracotta jewellery, Tribal German silver jewellery and fabric jewellery. After seven years in the fashion industry she had the education and the skill, all that was left was to let the two meet to birth something unusual. And thus, the idea of handmade terracotta fashion jewellery, and thereafter 'Sringar Jewellery' commenced.
Maria Veena Crocheted is an epitome of pure love and passion for the art of crochet. Amrita Maria Veena, is a crochet artist from Goa, who started her label in 2014. Amrita believes in innovation and creativity through the language of craft. She is constantly designing, revolutionising and modernising the concept of crochet. Amrita displays and reaches clients by conducting exhibitions and also undertakes bespoke orders. From crochet hand bags, to crochet table clothes, runners, face masks, flowers, jewelry etc today Maria Veena is a popular brand in Goa with very happy clients.
Jasmine: Jasmine is the Founder of Bellissima. Bellissima is a way of life - to enjoy beautiful skin and express oneself. Needless to say she sells beauty products which are safe & reliable for skin & hair. Bellissima Oriflame offers a wide range of Beauty related products for women as well as men. Kids range under Bellissima Oriflame is safe for children’s delicate skin and all wellness products under Oriflame gives health supplements that are needed to boost immunity.
Jermaine: She has been blessed to have lived and worked in places like London, Belgium and Dubai that allowed her to imbibe, understand and learn about its people, culture and especially foods. Some of my best culinary experiences have been on visits to these places. Her oldest son, Isaac, is quite a foodie too and since moving back to Goa has taken a liking to pickles. That’s when she thought she ought to give making it preservative free a shot. With a little guidance and help from a Chef friend of hers in Australia, she made a first bottle of mango pickle and it was such a hit with her biggest critics – her family. Thus began her journey with jams. She started with her husband’s favourite, Mangad (the traditional Goan Mango Jam). Soon after, she made jams flavoured with Apple Cinnamon, Strawberry, Orange Marmalade, Spiced Marmalade, Fig Anise, Banana Rum and Spiced Jackfruit. While she also makes common flavours of jams, she prefers introducing Goa to jams with unique, unconventional flavours. This led to her adventures with Bimbly and Star fruit earlier this year that birthed - Bimbly Jam, Bimbly Pickle, Savoury Bimbly Spread, Star Fruit Jam, Star Fruit Pickle and Spiced Star Fruit Marmalade.
Meenal: A brand that promotes the artwork curated by Indian artisans and weavers. India is a country rich in cultural & traditional heritage. Each and every district of every state of India has a particular specialised weave. As the brand name suggests, each handloom/ hathkargha says a story, a story of its origin, beauty, effort of artisans/ karigars, it's intricate detailing. The logo of the brand symbolises a tree with strong roots, which keeps on growing & spreading it's branches.
We commence our deep dive with the Fantastic 10! These are 10 women from the Southern Indian state of Goa who define themselves as side hustlers, homepreneurs and early stage startup entrepreneurs building businesses’ from the ground up. We begin this first week with the first three of the coterie:
- Shilpa Kulkarni Founder of Shilpkala
- Shraddha Shirgaonker Founder of the Art & Aroma Kitchen
- Priyanka Navelkar Founder of Smiles of Miles
Shilpa Kulkarni is an MBA graduate and alumni of the 10,0000 women entrepreneurs certified program from Goldman Sachs. She started her business with an exhibition during the Diwali festival. Her creations were a hit, they sold out, from there she recognised an opportunity and so began Shilpkala! Shilpa’s creations are bespoke, which means each design comes to life once. She has a full time job and builds her business on the side. She shared with me that she manages her life like a student would with a timetable. She is ruthless about time management and gets it all done!
Shraddha Shirgaonker is the mother of twins and former banker, who had a career both at home and in the UAE. She believes "Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness" and that "Nothing awakens reminiscence like an Aroma.” Her soaps are made with goat milk ( I had no idea this was possible) and includes no parabens, SLS or sulfates. In addition to that her candles are hand-made, hand-poured and hand-crafted by me. She shared with me that she is an artist playing with a combination of possibilities!
Priyanka Navelkar holds a BCom degree and has 14 years of experience in multiple sectors including: telecommunications, e-commerce and and pharmaceuticals. She currently works as a Human Resource Manager in a pharmaceutical company. She defines herself as a startup entrepreneur. Like Shilpa she works by day and builds by night, with a timetable that keeps her focussed and on task. Her business creates customized hand-made gift packaging, which she say spreads smiles for miles. She shared with me that an entrepreneur should never lose faith in themselves, always remember why you started!
In each conversation you will learn:
- The story behind the business
- The Opportunity Spotted
- The Marketing Channels
- The Business Strategy
- The Customer Base
- The Foundations for Success
- Challenges & How They Overcame Them
- Unique Industry Features
- Tools-Technical & Otherwise Use to Manage & Grow Their Business
- Lessons Learned
Sweta Sureka
A Public Speaker, Author, Topnotch Lifestyle Coach and an Explorer, Sweta’s list of accomplishments is nothing shy of astounding. Sweta has put many hours into building a version of her life that she loves and creating her purpose. Her life of hard work groomed her journey to self-empowerment and self-employment.
Sweta strongly believes in taking control of life and living at its best by building positive habits. Her life experiences make her connect with her clients and help them upgrade their lifestyles. Growing up, in a typical Indian family, Sweta learnt that the topnotch lifestyle is not just about having first class life, but feeling first class, content and happy. Abundance comes to those who are happy. Confident in her abilities and proud of her trials and tribulations, Sweta’s sole purpose is of giving individuals the assistance they need to live a healthy, positive life and enjoy lives. Aside of her triumphs, Sweta remains a very humble and engaging coach.
Anuradha KapoorAnuradha Kapoor discovered her passion for writing around 5 years back which led her to become a freelance author, blogger and content writer. She is proud to be one of the top bloggers on Momspresso, where she has written more than 100 blogs. Having written around 30 short stories till date, she has compiled most of them into a book by the name of 'STORIES FROM THE HEART' and an ebook ‘The Facade'. She was recently awarded by the Women Economic Forum for being an Exceptional Woman of Excellence, by the Indian Awaz for being an inspirational author in the year 2018, title of Influential author by The Spiritmania and the prestigious Swami Vivekananda Award for Excellence in literature among various other accolades. She has conducted various blogging and story writing workshops for adults and children. She is the Chairperson of ALL Kolkata Chapter for Cinema, along with being the Secretary at the All West Bengal Chapter and committee member of ALL Ladies League Kolkata chapter. She is also an active member of the Screenwriters association of India too.
This week we get to know more about some of the speakers at the Summit.
Shirley Murphy
Shirley Murphy is a Nigerian Journalist based in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital city. She is currently the Publisher of Labour Events Magazine, an online independent specialized publication. Prior to her present undertaking, she worked in different capacities with a number of media organizations in Nigeria which include, Labour Observer Magazine, The Monarch Magazine and The Compass Newspaper. She is also the brain behind two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Proud Parents International and Women Reach Out with God Initiative (WROWGI). Shirley holds both Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from the Lagos State Polytechnic and Bachelors of Art (BA) in mass communication from Lagos state university. She also has in her kitty, a Diploma Certificate in Desktop Publishing from Imperial Computer Academy, as well as another Diploma Certificate in Catering and Hotel Management from First Choice Catering and Fashion Academy. She hails from Itam in Uyo Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom State.
Anita Davis DeFoeDr. Anita Davis–DeFoe, has over 20 years of experience motivating, coaching, inspiring and transforming individuals and organizations. A graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Antioch University, Dr. DeFoe holds a Ph.D. in Management with a focus in Organization and Human Development. She has crafted and implemented myriad organizational and human capital programs aimed at assisting people of all ages to discover boundless unique strengths; to unleash their inner greatness. She is the CEO of Upshift Global which is a consultancy organization and knowledge incubator that serves individuals and organizations globally. Dr. DeFoe also serves as the General Secretary for the YWCA of the Virgin Islands. Dr. DeFoe is the Founder of the Circle of 99, a global community of strategist, doers, innovators, conveners, and change champions.
A John C. Maxwell certified mastermind group facilitator, speaker and trainer; Dr. Davis-DeFoe has authored over $500 million in grants which funded a range of youth, workforce, housing, education, domestic violence, entrepreneurship, gender-focused, leadership and community economic development programs across the United States, Europe, Caribbean and Africa.
Chetnaa MehrotraChetnaa is an Applied Theater Practitioner, a Drama Based Learning facilitator, a TO (Theater of Oppressed) practitioner, Playback Theater practitioner, and a Dance Movement Language practitioner. She has a vision to take these forms of art based facilitation to workspaces, open learning spaces, classes and training rooms, thereby creating a culture of expression, acceptance and love between people. Chetnaa Mehrotra’s decade-long work experience as a Corporate Trainer at GENPACT, IBM, HP, NIIT, Emirates, Air Hostess Academy, Ministry of External Affairs, and American Express has taught Chetna first-hand, how image, branding, customer service, training, and HR management impact the public perception of a corporation, its employee performance, customer service confidence, and its goalsetting and result-oriented business strategies.
Chetnaa has evolved innovative approach towards in-classroom training at Corporations and Educational Institutes. She has introduced Drama Based Learning facilitation, Narrative Storytelling with Movement, Image & Forum Theater, Psychodrama, thereby making learning a “doing phase”,
rather just a lecture platform. Economics Times has covered her innovative approach to experiential learning for ET case studies suite:
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oN2bnBzxuw,
· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAPRvEcqn0M
Aarti Bhatia
She started as an aspiring doctor. She landed up a seat in a pharmacy college. She went on to secure an MBA in marketing. Post that, she joined an FMCG company in a metro city, only to shift base to her hometown, with work in a construction firm’s office. She went on & published a book titled ‘Me to Mommee’, just a year after her child’s birth. But it was only some time ago that she found her true calling -
Storytelling
That’s her venture, passion & profession, today : Tell Tales – Where stories come to life! Yup. The movie of ‘3 idiots’ should have had her as an opposite-to- Rancho-kind-of-character, who landed up in her current field after multiple hop-skip-jumps! That’s how fluffy her hat of myriad experiences in various sectors is. But she believes that no experience ever goes in vain, as the learnings come to use in the most unforeseen ways of life. Combine that with the world’s most powerful muse, one’s imagination, and you get a person who can go on & on with words! Aarti Khatwani Bhatia says ‘Hello, everyone!’ Oh, no, don’t run away because I just wrote over a 100 words quoting myself in third person! Please wait, as it is just about to get even sillier! Who gained anything by being serious, anyway? No woman with an office bag in one hand, & a diaper in the other; that’s for sure!
Siya ShaikSiya Shaikh is a civil engineer by profession and social entrepreneur by passion. 10 years of Marketing and networking experience has helped her to achieve her goal of ‘empowering women. Currently running a firm called ‘Goa Metal Composites’ which deals with manufacturing of fibre doors and allied products. She is best described as a passion-driven person whose mission to support start-up Goan women entrepreneurs has led to her create a powerful platform that will serve as a milestone for Women Entrepreneurship in the State. Her mission to empower every Goan woman to achieve her dreams & be financially independent. To ensure that a strong support system is available to Goan women entrepreneurs. To make Goa an example of powerful collaborative effort towards empowering women.
Aruna Sampat
A successful purpose-driven entrepreneur, running two companies in diverse industries. Founder of Femori, a travel enthusiast and a logical thinker with strong analytical mindset which enables her to help businesses and her team in breaking down problems, analyse, and optimise them.
Aruna is an MBA is Human Resources from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management and has 25 years of industry experience of which 10 years is corporate experience with like L&T ,UPL and Citigroup before the entrepreneurial bug bit her and she started Career Catalysts , a manpower search company which became very successful under her leadership.
As her passion was in helping women, she decided to start Femori. It’s is a platform for women to come, share their dreams/goals, seek inspiration from other women in the community and accomplish them by connecting with the right Experts and availability of Resources.It’s an extremely great platform to network with like-minded women. It caters to also showcase women businesses and help them get access to a larger segment of the women audience.
📩Newsletter & 🎙Podcast: Episode 162
Please access the newsletter here.
Ms.Vayjayanti Pugalia freelances as a Corporate Grooming expert and a Culinary artist. She also excels in her area of work which comprises International Etiquette/ Fine Dining and Wine Appreciation. She is a philanthropist and a social entrepreneur who has curated many impactful events like Colours of Innocence 1st and 2nd edition and the very recent The Kidoprenuer Summit, the first-ever conclave of such a kind in the country which talked about child entrepreneurship. Vayjayanti has many workshops to her credit where she has trained many individuals seeking her expertise in topics related to finesse and impressive skills. She has been successful in bringing significant growth in personal and professional lives of individuals with her panache and guided maneuver. Vayjayanti is a motivational speaker and her works have been covered extensively by print and digital media like the leading SANMARG and TELEGRAPH daily. She has been interviewed by many global portals who work towards the growth of women entrepreneurship. Vayjayanti has been awarded the Exceptional Women of Excellence Award by the Women Economic Forum.
Conversations with Jo-Ann is a series whereby our Chieftess speaks directly with the Rare Ones about topics related to the community. To kick off the first episode she shares her intentions and the Rare Birds Story. Listen in and share with us what you think.
Ajay Mittal in his current role is a Director, India and South Asia (Climate Change Programs) for Earth Day Network, Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network is the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 75,000 partners in nearly 192 countries to build environmental democracy. Ajay is a member of the Global Shapers community an initiative of the World Economic Forum and also part of the Climate Action Steering Committee of Global Shapers Community.
He was trained to be a Climate Reality Leader at Brisbane, Australia in June,2019 and has also been recognised as one of the EE 30 Under 30 leaders 2019 cohort by North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). The award recognises young leaders using environmental education to build sustainable communities. In 2017 he Co-Founded Kolkata Clean Air (KCA). Kolkata Clean Air started as a campaign has slowly taken shape into being a fast growing organisation by the name of Active Citizen For Sustainability (ACTS) that works towards building a model for citizen state partnership towards building a sustainable city. Ajay still volunteers his time as Co-founder and board member at ACTS.
Ajay is also a voluntary director at Project Life Force (PLF) which is the largest organisation working on voluntary Blood donation in Kolkata, India. Ajay has played a significant role in growing the organisation since its inception 6 Years ago. PLF has organised over 300+ Camps, with 180+ Organisations and has Facilitated over 60000+ Units of Blood via camps and city's only 24/7 Helpline touching 1,50,000+ Lives Positively. Over 800+ Volunteer have been part of this movement.
He is also on board of several city based NGOs that includes HIVE India, Y-East , SwitchON to name a few. He is passionate about scaling social solutions using technology, innovations and simplicity.
With a commerce background through and through, meet this chance graphic designer who has been building her niche in the field for the past 3 years with her brand GraphicsQue. She received her schooling from MHS, college JDBI, Masters from Lancaster University, UK. She is an active participant of the Modern High School for Girls Alumni and has worked with over 100 clients with popular clients such as Haldirams, Rotary, Goodwyn Tea, Whooppee and BNI. She is actively engaged in fulfilling her responsibility towards the society by participating in events such as Agapi (Curated by Paint our World, Director- Dr Priya Virmani), Colours of Innocence (Curated by Sonali’s Cubo, Founder- Vayjayanti Pugalia).
Lesleigh Joseph is a citizen and a resident of St. Kitts and Nevis and a graduate of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice where she attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology and Anthropology.
Having studied Psychology, Lesleigh was afforded the opportunity to vastly improve her intrinsic understanding of the human mind. She hails her decision to focus on Anthropology in tandem with Psychology as one of her most important life decisions as her work is heavily influenced by and entirely dependent on the dominant cultural influence of the social space in which she is present. Despite having chosen a career field that most believe is best utilised in the criminal justice system, she has had the privilege of utilising her skills and qualifications in the public relations, multimedia management and marketing arenas.
Merv-Ann Thompson is the founder and Managing Owner of M.A.S.T. Productions, a multifaceted media company, and Conch Shell, an event-listing app in St. Kitts and Nevis newly launched on July 1st, 2020. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Merv-Ann was employed in the field of Broadcast Journalism for the past seven years, a job she thoroughly enjoyed. She began her career in Nevis at the St. Kitts-Nevis Observer after a short stint as a secretary’s assistant in 2012. Yearning for a change in mental scenery, Merv-Ann transitioned into the prolific offshore industry while still on the island of Nevis.
Returning to “home base”, Merv-Ann picked up her writing pad again, this time in the employ of the Nevis Island Administration. Following a bout of homesickness where St. Kitts beckoned, she began a new job at WINNFM. While working as a broadcast journalist, she was introduced to the world of talk show hosting and in short order, became the main host of the station’s weekday radio programme Voices. After culminating her tenure, she transitioned laterally to FreedomFM as one of the hosts for its weekday talk show, Issues.
Outside of Journalism, Merv-Ann has strutted her way down many cat walks entering local pageants across both islands, and in one regional pageant from 2016-2018. Additionally, she enjoys dabbling in mixing music as an amateur DJ, creating beats, gardening, exercising, reading and researching. She intends to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations/Affairs and Journalism in 2021.
Kimberly King is the Founder and Chief Initiator at Consulting Services by King and Associates Limited. She has over 17 years’ experience within Sales, Marketing, Business Development, Customer Service and Tertiary Education for international, local and regional organizations. Her academic qualifications are BSc. Hospitality and Tourism Management and MSc. Marketing Management.
Having worked extensively with multi-national companies; Kimberly envisioned her business as helping micro, small, and medium businessowners (MSMEs) by scaling her technical know-how to fit their specific business challenges in the areas of sales and branding.
Evou Lawrence Mendy is a Software Engineer by profession and young Gambian Entrepreneur. He is the Founder and Lead Software Engineer of Kameko - a start-up that provides customized software solutions (web and mobile apps) for businesses in Gambia and beyond. In October 2018, Evou Lawrence introduced Ryde Africa Technologies - a platform that allows you to request for the nearest taxi by using Ryde Africa Taxi App or by calling one of our dispatcher lines.
Evou Lawrence pitched Ryde Africa at the maiden edition of the Seedstar World Banjul Pitching Competition in November 2018 and was the 1st Runner-up. He was the 2nd Runner-up of TAF Start-ups Competition in December 2018. He was part the 1000 Entrepreneurs selected for the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme 2019. He's also documented by AfricaX (africax.org) as one of the 100 most inspiring stories in Africa for 2019. He is part of EU Africa Start-ups - a network of 100 Digital Entrepreneurs in EU Member countries and Africa.
Evou Lawrence Mendy is a YALI RLC Ghana alumnus (Cohort 8) where he studied Leadership in Business and Entrepreneurship. He's also the founding secretary of GAM-MINDS Foundation - non-profit organization that Motivates, Inspires, Nurtures, Develops and Support the next generation through Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He is currently the Hub Lead for Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme Alumni, Gambia Chapter.
Before he started his business in 2017, he had work with InSIST Global Gambia Limited as a software engineer and Team Lead for ERP. He also worked as an offshore software developer for alaTest.com based in Sweden and Xanda.net based in London. He also graduated from the University of The Gambia with a BSc in Computer Science in 2013.
Professionally, I am a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Mapping Specialist and Geo-Business Advocate who has the passion for Technology, Location Intelligence, Mixed Reality and all-round geography and technology. I have had the zeal to further my studies in geography since Junior High through to High School and I currently hold my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography and Resource Development with Psychology.
My former work as a GIS Mapping Specialist involved making Product Distribution maps , Customer location Heat maps and other business data related static maps. These are for spatio-temporal analysis of physical and business spatial data. My curiosity and thoughts about business has allowed me to examine the business application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to the success and profitability of sales and marketing in companies. In respect to my enthusiastic side, my interest in Technology led me to also learn Front-End Software Development with Developers In Vogue. I am currently the Co-Founder of African Women in GIS and a STEM advocate.
Abiodun Anani is a Professional Marketing Strategist with over nine (9) years of cross-cultural experience in marketing, Branding and events. With outstanding achievements in delivering innovative solutions, and facilitating efficiency. She began her marketing career at Oracle in 2011, an experiential marketing company as a Marketing Executive. Where she hosted several product demonstrations, activation and events. Abiodun then moved to Holidays and Host in 2018 where she served as Head, Public Relations and Marketing a luxury lifestyle company. During her stay at Holidays and Host she played a lead role in the success of The AMTF Trade Fair which had over 20,000 participants, she’s also the creative director of Mainland Children Funfair.
She’s currently a Growth Marketer at PML Advisory Limited, where she oversees marketing, sales and business development departments and works directly with the management group to help ensure continued growth. She’s known for sharing professional marketing content to help marketing enthusiasts and business owners accelerate in today’s competitive market. Abiodun holds an accounting degree from National Open University of Nigeria.
Business and social change is a family affair for YaAdam Fye. Alongside her mother Lucy and two sisters—Anna and Jainaba—the activist created The Fye Network, the premier producer and provider of African-inspired literature for Gambian children of all ages.
The Fye family began writing a series of children’s books that aim to give Gambian youth hopeful, empowering images of themselves and encourage literacy among young readers. In “Princess Halima and the Kingdom of Affia,” readers follow the adventures of a princess in an ancient African kingdom to learn more about the continent. “When my niece Halima was born, I knew I wanted a better world for her,” Jainaba tells OkayAfrica. “She inspired us to write the Princess Halima children's book. At the time, there were no mainstream Black princess books.” But getting this material to children has its roadblocks. As YaAdam detailed in this Quartz interview, the recent transition in government after the exile of President Yahya Jammeh has left a struggle between those who are coming back to rebuild and locals who remain steadfast in Jammeh’s rule. “There is that power play between the diaspora coming back and the locals who have been there,” she said.
Still, the group of literacy advocates believe that youth will be the wave of change their country needs. And that’s why they are investing in young people. “They are shaping the future,” Jainaba tells OkayAfrica. “They define the culture and push us to do more and go further, especially in the work of diversity and inclusion.
For their unwavering commitments, Fye Network has received notable honors and nods; YaAdam was named a fellow by the Obama Foundation for her activism in literacy and education and the Network is listed in the Quartz Africa Innovators series. Despite the “lack of responsiveness and engagement from our government,” YaAdam hopes imagination and persistence will begin the process of reform “and the desired changes start to become reality.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
· Get to Know Benny
· Understanding Benny’s Business
· The Motivation Behind the Business
· Boarding School & Periods
· Discussing Statistics
· Old Wives Tales & Other Ridiculous Stories
· Deep Dive into the Products
· Challenges of Building
· Government Position on Period Poverty
· Changes Needed to Benefit Women
· Long Term Goals for the Business
· Changing the Narrative Around Periods
· How to Affect Change
· Lessons Learned
MORE INFO ON BENEDICTA
Benedicta Chukwuyem Uweru-Apuamah is a Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree holder who is passionate about working the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She was a ONE Champion (2017 & 2018) at ONE.org in Nigeria. She represented ONE in Nigeria & Africa at the ONEYouthSummit in Brussels where her presentation earned her a standing ovation from ONE CEO & President, Gayle Smith & other Youth Ambassadors across Europe. Her dream work place is the UN, she considers this a platform to impact her community better. She is the Founder, Girls for Development Goals Foundation [Formerly Girls Health & Education Foundation (GHeF)] where she enlightens girls on Sexual Reproductive Health (SRHR) utilizing the SDG templates especially SDGs 3, 4 & 5. Her projects include "A Love Letter to Myself" & "Advocacy Against Teenage Pregnancy" amongst. She continues to impact lives by volunteering with other organizations such as the medical outreach (May 2018) with the Moses Lake Medical Team (from the US) in Kebbi State, Nigeria. She's a 2019 WYSE ILP Brazil Alumni being the only Nigerian Delegate at a training that gathered 26 participants across 16 countries of the world in Sao Paulo, Brazil (Jan 6th to 17th 2019). She was a Chairperson at the just concluded Tanzania International Model UN Conference 2019 and continues to develop herself. She is the Director on the board of Benny&Freddy, a Private Liability Company that produces Reusable Sanitary Pads & offers a variety of services.
She organized the Youth Voices Conference in commemoration of the 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference in Kebbi State, August 28th, 2019. She also spoke at the Youth Empowerment and Development Conference in Abuja, Nigeria where she engaged young people on how to Access International Platforms. She is currently the only female Nigerian ambassador for the Young Political Leadership School Africa representing Nigeria at the 6th semester in Monrovia, Liberia, October 2019. She was the youngest speaker at the just concluded "Our Girls Our Pride" project organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Delta State. She is currently the Program Manager at JDPC Iseleuku, FASTER Project in Delta State.
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Benedicta Chukwuyem Uweru-Apuamah is a Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree holder who is passionate about working the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She was a ONE Champion (2017 & 2018) at ONE.org in Nigeria. She represented ONE in Nigeria & Africa at the ONEYouthSummit in Brussels where her presentation earned her a standing ovation from ONE CEO & President, Gayle Smith & other Youth Ambassadors across Europe. Her dream work place is the UN, she considers this a platform to impact her community better. She is the Founder, Girls for Development Goals Foundation [Formerly Girls Health & Education Foundation (GHeF)] where she enlightens girls on Sexual Reproductive Health (SRHR) utilizing the SDG templates especially SDGs 3, 4 & 5. Her projects include "A Love Letter to Myself" & "Advocacy Against Teenage Pregnancy" amongst. She continues to impact lives by volunteering with other organizations such as the medical outreach (May 2018) with the Moses Lake Medical Team (from the US) in Kebbi State, Nigeria. She's a 2019 WYSE ILP Brazil Alumni being the only Nigerian Delegate at a training that gathered 26 participants across 16 countries of the world in Sao Paulo, Brazil (Jan 6th to 17th 2019). She was a Chairperson at the just concluded Tanzania International Model UN Conference 2019 and continues to develop herself. She is the Director on the board of Benny&Freddy, a Private Liability Company that produces Reusable Sanitary Pads & offers a variety of services.
She organized the Youth Voices Conference in commemoration of the 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference in Kebbi State, August 28th, 2019. She also spoke at the Youth Empowerment and Development Conference in Abuja, Nigeria where she engaged young people on how to Access International Platforms. She is currently the only female Nigerian ambassador for the Young Political Leadership School Africa representing Nigeria at the 6th semester in Monrovia, Liberia, October 2019. She was the youngest speaker at the just concluded "Our Girls Our Pride" project organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Delta State. She is currently the Program Manager at JDPC Iseleuku, FASTER Project in Delta State.
A Tea drinker by birth and a Tea-Taster by profession, Anamika Singh has introduced new infusions with a mix of natural flowers and herbs to the Indian market. Having launched her own brand « Anandini Himalaya Tea » she conducts Tea tasting ceremonies, conferences & events in Delhi. Her real love is Tea. ‘Identifying, understand and tasting tea we celebrate the very event of sipping tea! Sharing this knowledge with hospitality professionals & clients of real tea is a far bigger challenge. Anamika brings to the table knowledge and passion in a delicious Infusion.
Anamika Singh has spent over eighteen years in the tea industry. Starting in Darjeeling as an apprentice under her father, Mr. Abhai Singh (a world renowned tea specialist), she now invests a greater part of the year in the family owned tea gardens in Himachal Pradesh. Research & development in her workshop helps bring out the finest nuances of tea manufacturing and blending. Anamika’s expertise extends to food pairing as part of the sensorial journey to culinary ecstasy.
Navigating between Dharamsala and Gurgaon has allowed her to keep in touch with my traditional ‘purist’ roots as well as the rapidly evolving international market of demanding expats and the Indian tea ‘connoisseurs.’ Working in collaboration with exclusive Spas, Star hotels and top restaurants Anandini Himalaya Tea has helped her be part of the taste revolution.
Anamika fires the mindset of « chaiwallahs » with her dynamic personality and persistence in quality products and presentations.
Awosika Israel Ayodeji is the project designer and coordinator of Web3Bridge, a blockchain education platform created to onboard developers in Africa into the blockchain ecosystem and in turn creating a blockchain economy in Africa. He is a passionate blockchain evangelist who knows that no single approach is the absolute template for every individual and environment and has remained committed to creating content and learning programs not only aimed at driving adoption of blockchain technology in Africa but also solving native problems and adding value to the environment.
Sunshine is a company committed towards bringing empowerment through employment to the underprivileged men & women. In this journey Juhee has been doing her bit in West Bengal for more than a decade and now in Karnataka she has restarted the journey.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
· Get to Know Modou
· Agriculture and the Role It Plays in The Gambia
· Difficulties in the Agriculture Sector in The Gambia
· Modou’s Two Businesses’ Farm Fresh & Money Farm
· The Role of Women in Agro in Africa
· Mindset & Economic Development
· Challenges Faced When Building Agro Tech Businesses’
· The Seed Stars Experience
· The Future of Money Farm
· Engaging The Gambian Diaspora
· Replicating the Business Model Across Africa
· The Future of Innovation in AgroTech
· Lessons Learned
MORE INFO ON MODOU NSZ NJIEModou NSZ Njie is the Founder of Farm Fresh, the #1 online food store and delivery service in The Gambia, with a focus on promoting local produce and thereby securing income for local farmers and food processors. Farm Fresh has allowed Gambians from the diaspora to easily order fresh and healthy food for their families at home, earning the venture a nomination in the ‘Emerging Businesses in The Gambia’ by the Gambia Chamber of Commerce Business Gala Dinner in 2015. Current growth plans include a regional expansion to Sierra Leone, Senegal and Nigeria, and also a franchise system that would allow expatriates to become shareholders.
In 2019 he won the Seedstars Start Up competition in The Gambia where he pitched on behalf of his new startup company called Money Farm. Money Farm is the Gambia's first agro-tech crowd funding platform linking farmers to investors. Modou is also a Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur and EMPRETECO alumni. He won the audience award on behalf of his company Farm Fresh at the Future Agro Challenge Global competition held in South Africa in 2019.
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Modou NSZ Njie is the Founder of Farm Fresh, the #1 online food store and delivery service in The Gambia, with a focus on promoting local produce and thereby securing income for local farmers and food processors. Farm Fresh has allowed Gambians from the diaspora to easily order fresh and healthy food for their families at home, earning the venture a nomination in the ‘Emerging Businesses in The Gambia’ by the Gambia Chamber of Commerce Business Gala Dinner in 2015. Current growth plans include a regional expansion to Sierra Leone, Senegal and Nigeria, and also a franchise system that would allow expatriates to become shareholders.
In 2019 he won the Seedstars Start Up competition in The Gambia where he pitched on behalf of his new startup company called Money Farm. Money Farm is the Gambia's first agro-tech crowd funding platform linking farmers to investors. Modou is also a Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur and EMPRETECO alumni. He won the audience award on behalf of his company Farm Fresh at the Future Agro Challenge Global competition held in South Africa in 2019.
Jason Kraus has been described as a "serial entrepreneur" by his friends and family ever since he opened his first business while still in college. He's always been intrigued by how companies got their start and how products that are now household names came to be. This led him to found startup consulting firm Prepare4VC, to cofound an alternative investment group Equity Venture Partners and to later join as a partner on a micro-VC, EQx Fund. To help others who share his passion, Jason is actively involved in Startup Grind and NextGen Summit, two notable startup communities developed to aid entrepreneurs in their endeavors.
His passion for business and the knowledge he's accrued has made Jason a sought-after authority by those interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. Over the years, he's been featured in Entrepreneur magazine, All Business Media, Boston Voyager, Radio entrepreneurs and more to share his expertise. His hope is to help new founders get a strong foothold in their industry and increase their chances of success. His book Venture Forward uses stories from well-known entrepreneurs to show these new founders that they can find success through their trials and failures.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
· Learn About the Pearl of Africa-Uganda
· Rita’s Family Influence
· Entering the Field of Sports Journalism
· An Opportunity in China
· Mentoring at the Hong Kong Sports Association
· The Aliguma Foundation
· Partnering to Build the Organisation
· Slum Soccer Annual Event
· The Land Fundraising Project
· Understanding the Scope of the Aliguma Foundation
· Uganda: The Largest Host of Refugees in Africa
· The Future of the Organisation
· Supporting the Foundation
· Lessons Learned
MORE INFO ON RITA ALIGUMA
Ritah is passionate about organizing and developing strategies that are deliverable with a deliberate thinking and design, enthused about the wholesome growth and development of young sports journalist and community empowerment. Ritah Aliguma is seen as one of the few exceptionally passionate sports personalities who joined sports journalism in 2010. In 2011, her enthusiasm was recognized when she was voted as the best young reporter in Uganda, subsequently becoming the first Ugandan to attend the International Sports Press Association(AIPS) young reporters program in 2011 Shenzhen University.
Ritah was later invited to attend the second young reporters program from which she was inducted as a Mentor in the Hong-Kong Sports Press Association young reporters program that takes place every year. The Hong-Kong sports reporters training camp is the leading young reporters program in Asia which brings together over 70 journalists from over 18 countries from across the globe, to help them transform to better and professional journalists. During this camp, they cover sporting events in China, Hong Kong and the prestigious Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. In 2014, she was appointed as the first female Vice president of the Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) and served two terms in office. Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) was founded in 1970 to bring together all sports journalists operating in Uganda. To date it is the most respected journalists’ organization in Uganda and the region, with close to 200 registered members and the brand USPA stands out.
Ritah is also founder of Aliguma Foundation a community based organization that implements projects that focus on empowering women and children through sports in one of the biggest slums in Kampala, Uganda. In 2017 Ritah started Rismile Events Company in a bid to strengthen her business portfolio and create more jobs for Ugandans with skills in decorating and events management. She is passionate about the girl child and media.
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Ritah is passionate about organizing and developing strategies that are deliverable with a deliberate thinking and design, enthused about the wholesome growth and development of young sports journalist and community empowerment. Ritah Aliguma is seen as one of the few exceptionally passionate sports personalities who joined sports journalism in 2010. In 2011, her enthusiasm was recognized when she was voted as the best young reporter in Uganda, subsequently becoming the first Ugandan to attend the International Sports Press Association(AIPS) young reporters program in 2011 Shenzhen University.
Ritah was later invited to attend the second young reporters program from which she was inducted as a Mentor in the Hong-Kong Sports Press Association young reporters program that takes place every year. The Hong-Kong sports reporters training camp is the leading young reporters program in Asia which brings together over 70 journalists from over 18 countries from across the globe, to help them transform to better and professional journalists. During this camp, they cover sporting events in China, Hong Kong and the prestigious Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. In 2014, she was appointed as the first female Vice president of the Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) and served two terms in office. Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) was founded in 1970 to bring together all sports journalists operating in Uganda. To date it is the most respected journalists’ organization in Uganda and the region, with close to 200 registered members and the brand USPA stands out.
Ritah is also founder of Aliguma Foundation a community based organization that implements projects that focus on empowering women and children through sports in one of the biggest slums in Kampala, Uganda. In 2017 Ritah started Rismile Events Company in a bid to strengthen her business portfolio and create more jobs for Ugandans with skills in decorating and events management. She is passionate about the girl child and media.
Dr. Ismail D. Badjie was born in Banjul, The Gambia and raised in New York in his early childhood before returning home to complete his schooling at Ndow’s Comprehensive leading up to graduation from Gambia Senior Secondary School in 2003. He retuned to the U.S to continue his education earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry in 2008 from Tennessee State University and then his Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D; 2013) from Purdue University (Lafayette, Indiana USA).
Dr. Badjie has had over a decade of experience in the pharmacy industry serving in multiple capacities. He holds a Six-Sigma Green Belt in healthcare-focused on increasing efficiencies and outcomes in healthcare organizations. In his most recent role of Pharmacy manager for Community Pharmacy giant Walgreens Co., Dr. Badjie managed a 24-hour community pharmacy with a daily average of over 800 prescriptions, total yearly sales of $16 million dollars, and an inventory size as high as $1 million dollars. His community pharmacy specialization also includes medication therapy management, pharmaceutical compounding, HIV therapy, and Adult Immunizations.
Dr. Badjie transitioned to establish his Healthcare solutions company Innovarx Global Health (IGH) in 2015 where he currently serves as Founder and CEO. IGH focusses on bridging the gap in access to quality healthcare solution and are set to open their first franchise in The Gambia. The company plans to usher in a new era of quality healthcare services focused on innovative technological approaches to disease state management, telemedicine, W.O.W (Wellness on Wheels) mobile delivery, point of care testing and overall distribution of quality medications.
Juliet Ukpabio Archibong is the quintessential lady on a mission to build a nation where economic and human capital development thrives. A visionary fore-runner who believes in driving development and has spent most of her life expressing her purpose in the various sectors as an entrepreneur by creating businesses driven by purpose to make an impact.
Juliet is a certified brand communications manager specializing in international trade promotions and has practical working experience spanning over 10years in retail, experiential marketing, advertising, procurement, supply chain management, export trade and business management. When she is not on the forefront of trading exchange, she is writing and speaking on nation building, purposeful businesses, mindset for global growth as well as consulting for individuals, government and organizations; helping to highlight, package and sell opportunities for economic development. She is an advocate for Made-In-Nigeria brands and strongly believes in the potential of Africa to sustain itself. Juliet believes in entrepreneurship for impact and is at the hem of affairs at Adiaha trading Limited, Exclusively Owanbe party services and SLJ services also businesses setup to meet specific needs in their various sectors.
Juliet truly means business as she is on a mission to make sure every single being, government, nation all understand their highest potential, are accepting their purpose and are living from the highest version of themselves.
Dare is the Founder and CEO at Chekkit Technologies Inc, he has over 10 years’ experience in software venture building expertise. Trained professionally as a Geologist, further trained at the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MBA like program) in Ghana as a Software Entrepreneur and advanced further in Entrepreneurship studies at the SDA Bocconi Business School, Italy.
He has founded two companies in the past - StrictlyUI (a social network for the University of Ibadan) where he had his first degree and is still the most active group of the University on Facebook with over 30K students. The second is a social music streaming and IM platform called sharebunk.io for which he signed a 3 million tracks streaming deal and got an offer from 1 of the top 3 global music record labels but didn't take it, the startup crashed shortly thereafter.
Dare’s company Chekkit develops product distribution chain tracking solutions for consumer goods manufacturers to combat counterfeits and gain consumer insights across their value chain with the aim of saving lives.
Aurra is a multi-potentialite with a very broad portfolio. She is currently the Headmistress ofSt. Anne's Primary School (est. 1947), Executive Director & Co-Founder of Africa Is Digital and Chairman of Aurra Nicole Group. She is the 2019 Africa Science Week (Next Einstein Forum & Purple Futures Trust) - Appreciation Award recipient. She received this recognition for her outstanding work and with sincere appreciation for her tireless efforts in using science and technology for the betterment of society. In 2018 she was the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, Women in Commerce Award Winner in the Social Enterprise category for Little Entrepreneurs.
Zwede Hewitt is a former national 400m Champion, Olympian and Commonwealth Games medalist from Trinidad and Tobago (T & T), and now Founder and CEO of innovative tech startup company LUHU. Zwede excelled at track and field from an early, also while attending one of the most prestigious High Schools (Queen’s Royal College) on the twin islands of T & T, eventually earning a full scholarship to Baylor University.
Zwede graduated from Baylor in 2013 with a degree in Speech Communication, while earning 6x all American Honours in NCAA Division 1 Track and Field. He then went on to compete professionally for 4 years while holding a position as operations officer and director in his family operated business started by his father Trevor Hewitt. Taking from his father’s entrepreneurial drive, Zwede began his own efforts creating startups in the sports and event industries. As a firm believer in value contribution, and impact his most recent venture is deemed to be his most impactful yet. Zwede is on a mission to shift the paradigm of social networking and media to one which is more productive and of positive impact.
Chad Fraser is an entrepreneur at heart. With over 15 years of experience in the Information Technology industry, his profession spans ICT solutions development, e-Government consulting, research and advisory, business process re-engineering, change management, IT Strategy, governance and quality assurance. He spent his first 4 working years as Chief Technology Officer at Ameltek a Technology solutions company. He was the lead consultant for the development of a centralised criminal record and law enforcement information system for the Royal Grenada Police Force. Mr Fraser was selected by the Grenada Cabinet to be a member on the national steering committee of the Caribbean Regional Communication Infrastructure Program (CARCIP) and sits on the board of the Grenada Postal Corporation. He started his entrepreneurship journey by establishing Sonover, a Grenada based software company that partners with organizations regionally and Internationally to facilitate their planning, design, development and implementation of digital transformation initiatives. He then went on and established Qualishore a Business Process Outsourcing provider that emphasises the use of technology in its offerings.
Ruth Iselema is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bitmama. She is a cryptocurrency enthusiast and trader. Her company Bitmama is an exchange where you can buy and sell cryptocurrencies like Bitcoins or Ethereum. Designed to help crypto users leverage on the potentials of the blockchain, the Bitmama website offers easy and fast cryptocurrency trades. Aside from being an exchange, Bitmama is a financial service provider and aims to spread the knowledge of cryptocurrency and blockchain to everyone especially to women and minorities in Africa.
William is the Founder of Chitangala.io, an Africa-centered Innovation Studio. They build and grow tech and culture companies. We strategically co-found through Venture-Building-as-a-Service for enterprise disruptors off and on the continent. William Chitangala is also the co-founder of creative agency Saint-Germain in Frankfurt, Germany. He also sits on the Youth Advisory Board of Brand Africa.
Fengjun and BinBin are both Chinese young people with a global view of the world. They have both traveled and lived outside of their native China and represent a new generation who are moving beyond their country's borders. She plans to promote Chinese culture overseas and enhance the understanding between China and the world. Bin Bin is the Founder of the Dream Building Association, which is a non-profit and also an international volunteer platform.
Chimezie is an Advisory Board Member at Kinesis Money for West Africa, formerly Regional Director for Africa at Paxful Inc. He is an accomplished tech innovation professional, Drupal Web Application Developer, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Educator, Certified Bitcoin Professional (CBP)/ Blockchain Solution Architect, Community organizer, friend of disruptive ideas, and founder/ coordinator of the Blockchain Nigeria User Group. Chimezie serves as the Pro tem Chairman for Organization of Blockchain Technology Users (OBTU), he acts as the Africa Lead, Technology & Innovation at Blockspace Africa Technologies ltd. and is the CEO of both Techbuild Innovation Partners ltd. and Lagos DrupalVersity.
He authored the book, Seizing Opportunities in Blockchain & Digital Currency Revolution: A handbook for Enthusiasts. He is a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a graduate of Blockchain & Digital Currency from the University of Nicosia, Cyprus, the first university in the world to initiate the award of degrees on digital currency. He is regularly featured as a tech commentator and innovation subject matter expert on CNBC Africa, Channels TV and BBC UK.
Until 2014, Carren was the Principal Information Officer with responsibility for project leadership towards the development of a fully functional National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) for Belize that will enable sharing of spatial data (e.g. GIS data) across all sectors in Belize and contributing to national development and regional and global initiatives to data accessibility. This initiative was included as a component in the current World Bank funded US$30 million project: the Belize Climate Resilience Infrastructure Project (BCRIP). Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to her post as Project Director, BAY Job Creation and Entrepreneurship Development Project. Carren has a Masters Degree in Environmental and Natural Resources Management with emphasis on Climate Change. Carren is the current Founder & CEO of Happiness Cleaning and Tiny Homes Development, both located in Belize.
Yvette is a stalwart and well-seasoned entrepreneur in the Belize ecosystem. She believes she was born with an internal locus pushing her forward to start a business, even as a child she dreamed of starting up a small business venture. She used to come up with some ideas on how to convince her friends and the neighbourhood kids to buy her slightly used toys, comic books and chips. After obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1993 and marrying her husband who is an engineer, she decided to take the plunge and all the risks associated with it, and started a small importing and distribution business in 1995/1996.
Her firm Belize National Paper Converters imports and distributes paper, printing products and equipment, medical supplies, chemicals and textile materials. There are two main employees and along with husband they primarily manage the assets. Her market is the private sector and government. The use of computer technology has helped her to make the company more efficient in terms of quick communication and response time to orders or inquiries. With the support of her husband and family, she has been able to establish and maintain an extensive network of customers to reach her market. In the first few years the challenges involved how to use formal scientific and management processes to bring about innovation.
Anima is the Founder of Nani's Creations, a brand with the drive to promote African culture and pride, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment through trendy, handmade jewellery and accessories. We pride ourselves in using authentic fabric from Africa to make products that meet the highest quality standards. She is also the Cofounder of Ayfinergy, a company based in Ghana and Bangladesh, which seeks to help in the fight against environmental pollution by converting waste into energy sources for use.
Marium has spent the better part of the last decade studying waste management and treatment technologies. An SCI journal published author, her work on the treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater using advanced treatment technologies reflects her ethos that technology combined with a pinch of empathy for humanity can solve some of mankind’s biggest problems. She’s currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Environmental Engineering, this time delving into the field of environmental catalysis studying the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of lignin (wrongly considered by many to be waste) into value-added chemicals and their potential uses in synthesizing green agro-chemicals. As Co-Founder of the tech startup Ayfinergy, she is promoting her project in China, Ghana and Bangladesh, her home country, and has been collaborating with experts from around the world to get this initiative off the ground. Between academia and entrepreneurship, Marium spends time dabbling in code, educating, moonlighting as a voice-over artist and enjoying the good life.
Ele is a breakthrough coach, brand strategist and a storyteller on a mission to enjoy life, eat everything she can, and help others become their own heroes. After quitting “the perfect job," she got married and started traveling the world. Unfortunately, what started as a dream come true ended up being a domestically violent relationship but that experience forced her to seek for something beyond happiness... a PURPOSE! Mixing together her passion for personal development and marketing experience, she created a new path for herself. Nowadays she uses storytelling to empower others to rewrite their stories and share their talents with the world.
Elaine is a serial entrepreneur and currently, she is the CEO of CNEW International. She is responsible for business development as well as leading teams across the region from different offices in Singapore and China. Elaine is a seasoned leadership development and personal development trainer, advisor in working with CEOs, senior executives for talent strategies, and executive coaching for C-suite leaders, entrepreneurs and startups. A trusted and thought leader with more than 10 years with MNCs across Asia Pacific leading teams with consistent success.
Elaine helps clients enhance their skills in talent strategic management, authentic leadership, cross-cultural leadership & management, complex problem solving & decision-making, performance planning & management and more! She has been trained, mentored and advised 350,000 leaders in Asia from Corporates, Ministries, Governments across South East Asia, the West and the East.
She is passionate about the role of women in business and has been regularly featured on Global Times, Asia Entrepreneur Org, FOX, ABC, CBS and NBC talking about female entrepreneurship and raising the awareness of the gender equality and challenges female working professional face in the workplace. Her specific skills include leadership development, personal resilience, speaking for influence, high-performing team development, cross-cultural management and professional facilitation, the design and delivery of training programs, coaching and speaking.
She has designed and delivered hundreds of training programs for community leaders, executive and youth leadership groups, business owners, managers, and volunteers. Her programs are designed to improve operations, business performance and relations within organizations, as well as prepare organization to attract and retain quality businesses.
She brings over fifteen years’ experience in business strategy, organization transformation, human capital, multi-cultural, inclusion & diversity, and leadership development. Most of the clients she is working with are Fortune 500 companies, state- owned, educational institutions and ministries. She trains and coaches regionally in China, Singapore, Philippine, South Korea, and Malaysia. Elaine is a judge for MODEL APEC 2019 - Women and Economy in Capacity Building, Innovation and Technology for Asia- Pacific region, Elaine also serves as a judge and advisor for Hult Prize Challenge 2020 which is supported by Tsinghua University and United Nations.
Mbadibba is an expert in business management, finance, migration, entrepreneurship, and a trusted trainer. Her passion to coach and develop emerging business leaders was honed during an impressive fellowship entrepreneurship program “Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Foundation” a program that supports African entrepreneurs through entrepreneurship trainings, and funding. This is where her business idea was selected as one of the best ideas that can transform Africa’s economy. She founded an Agrio-business farm, and created employment.
Mbadibba has provided her expertise to institutions and supported entrepreneurs in The Gambia to better develop their business ideas. She has been featured, in the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) website and the Gambia daily observer as one of the educated professionals who ventured into agricultural farming for profit. She has provided her migration expertise in many forums, to provide alternatives to irregular migrants. She received her BA Honors degree from the University of Herefordshire in the United Kingdom, and completed a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Nicosia Cyprus. Mbadibba is chatty, adventurous, and excited about learning from others.
Babucarr Jobe, upon finishing his schooling travelled through a journey where he spent almost 4 to 5 years struggling to get into Europe but things fell apart. He couldn’t achieve his dreams of getting into Europe. He faced many difficulties and life became so frustrated and difficult until he received admission to a skill training course on satellite installations at GTMI (Gambia Telecommunications and Multimedia Institute), under the sponsorship of IOM (International Organisation for Migration).
Upon completing the course he was still under the sponsorship of the IOM to pursue entrepreneurship training. After completing the training he had a business idea called Jobis Connection Services, a local internet provider which works with satellite installation. He came up with the idea in 2020 after providing internet connection to the uses of routers, which could help the user to have access with the internet at an affordable rate. It also goes with the installation of satellites, which could enable most local customers-both rural and urban- to have access to the uses of the internet at a low cost. It is now a fully registered business.
Maimuna Jahateh is the Founder of MaiyaMuna which is a company that makes homemade all natural skin and hair care products and uses these products to do beauty treatments in The Gambia. She holds a Bachelors degree in Biotechnology from Sharda University, India and was a Scientific Officer in the field of Malaria research at the Medical Research Council(MRCG). She is currently studying at the University of The Gambia as a second year Medical Student and also doing an online Diploma in organic skincare formulations.
Maimuna does voluntary work as the executive director of Educating for Africa’s Future. She is also involved in health advocacy through the Association for Health Awareness.
Ida Faal is a young Gambian female entrepreneur and auto mechanic engineer. She is the Founder of ClockTvet Foundation that advocates for TVET (Technical Vocational Educational Training) in The Gambia. Ida breaks the stereotype that a female cannot be successful in a male dominated sector. Ida is one of the successful female auto mechanics in The Gambia and she serves as a role model to young females who want to venture into technical or vocational sector. She believes that no country can develop without skillful youths.
Modou is the Founder of ITalent Recruitment Consultancy firm and Mandy Ice Candy. In August 2018, he was a Final Nominee for the Global Youth Ambassador Hero Award for inspiring young Africans on Youth Skills category organized by the Movement. In In 2017, He was a Co-host in one of the very inspiring motivation shows at Kokoliko FM in Zambia East Africa where he talked about Entrepreneurship and the possibility of making it here in Africa. In March 3rd 2018, He did another podcast interview with a UK based Radio Each Teach Radio where he talks about his works as a Global Youth Ambassador. He was appointed as the Chapter Director of Startup Grind Banjul which is an educational series events powered by Google for Startups in the US that helps connect up to 1 million entrepreneurs across the world through event hosting.
Siti Nur Afiqah (溪缇) is from Malaysia and currently studying a Bachelor Degree in Business Management taught in Chinese in University of International Business and Economics. She is an active member of Global Foundation of Young Entrepreneurs, where she has a lead role as the Media and Publicity Director of GFYE since 2018. Apart from that, she is also one of the representatives of Malaysia Student Association in Beijing, the Director of Malaysian Student Ambassador Program which closely consulted by Malaysian Embassy in Beijing and last but not least is the Strategic Head Manager and co-founder of FunTrip (Travel for your Leisure) start-up company also, in Beijing. She is also really passionate about youth innovation and entrepreneurship as she sees that it will help the country itself and the community whether in building or creating better environment for humans to live in and also helps to improve the economy of the world.
Zimbabwean Tina Tendai Makuku Makaya is an African Themed Jewelry designer based in Beijing. She is the founder of Chariots-Lionbay and People at Heart foundation. Chariots was created in 2016 after she realized the need to bring an awareness to the world about her African culture and heritage as well as bring women together and share the love of God. Through her foundation she aims to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children and women through offering educational programs, building early childhood centers and empowerment programs as well as providing a support system for women entrepreneurs. She believes in creating an equal opportunity for marginalized women and children in her community in Zimbabwe and the world at large. Tina is a firm believer of building her country and community brick-by-brick. This means that it does not matter one's class or financial status each individual can start helping the next person in different ways.
Her company has built an Early Childhood Education Center and has also started projects that assist marginalized women in starting their own business and taking care of their families. They have hosted several empowerment workshops and conferences. Moreover, she has worked in several organizations including FedEx International and W.O.V. International. She has graduated with a Higher National Diploma in Purchasing & Materials Management.
Purpose-driven Brand Strategist and Creative Director Kwame Antwi is a prolific coach and speaker on the subject of branding and entrepreneurship. He is the co-founder of a branding and web design agency Dephlex Creatives and also the founder of a brand strategy & business coaching consultancy Lens of Kwame. Kwame’s path into branding wasn’t traditional. He fell into it out of necessity. After suffering from a continuous burn out of trying to chase and grab any project that comes his way for the first 5 years of running his agency, he was forced to take a hard look at the way the agency was run and its brand as a whole. Kwame realized the model of the agency was a race to the bottom and it was just a matter of time for him to quit and close it down. Just as he was about to give up, he discovered Chris Do from the future talk about Core Strategy Framework and also recommended the book The Brand Gap from Marty Neumeier then everything changed.
This insight caused him to rethink, get clarity of his brand, reposition and rebrand the agency. The strategy worked, and within a year the agency turned the corner and rocketed into growth mode. And in 2018 he launched his brand strategy and business coaching consultancy in addition to his branding & web design agency to focus exclusive on what he does today: help purpose driven entrepreneurs build brands and businesses they love and deserve. Through his agency and consultancy, Kwame has had the opportunity to work with many entrepreneurs, as well as small-sized businesses, and found that having clarity, positioning and consistency of your brand is all that a business need to grow and succeed.
Kwame’s next projects are his podcast called The Brand & Business Lens and a free online hub for all entrepreneurs in China. The podcast launches in January 2020! The Brand & Business Lens is a podcast where Kwame explores what it takes to build a brand & business you love and deserve. You can also visit entrepreneursinchina.com to know when the free online hub launches.
Noah Namwamba is a life coach, motivational speaker, interpreter, new media researcher and events host. As a mentor, one of his strengths is building and maintaining connections. Being a polygot fluent in 7 languages, he’s become a global leader and mentor to many, speaking to vast audiences while sharing insights and inspiration. Currently, he mentors 200+ global citizens across Africa, Europe, and Asia to reach their limitless dreams. He is also the CEO and Founder of CommSEA - a global mentoring project which connects pros to newbies across various fields. Noah’s main research areas include: social media, e-commerce, mobile payments, internet privacy and AI. His personal mantra is: “Elevate, cultivate, motivate.
Charles Cyril Nettey is the CTO & CoFounder of Yumi, a company that lets global brands start selling on WeChat in less 10 minutes and unlock social commerce for Chinese millenials. Yumi is backed by China Accelerator, an SOSV company. He is a software engineer with 5 years of design and development experience with a demonstrated history of working with web, mobile and cloud environments. Skilled in Software Design and Architecture, Agile Project Management, API Development and Web Applications. He is a strong engineering professional with a Master of Science focused in Applied Informatics from University of Liverpool. He is the CTO & CoFounder of Yumi.
Excited about the church, aviation, technology and agriculture, Nana is a high growth serial entrepreneur who strongly believes in constant learning, building and improving on existing solutions. He's currently working on a tech startup called Asoriba which aims at providing technology to half a billion African Christians. Asoriba is designed to help churches effectively and digitally run their administration, while seamlessly engaging with members through content sharing and enabling easy donation via mobile money and cards. Nana is also the Founder of Grow for Me & My Business Pay. He was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 and alongside being an entrepreneur is also a pastor, a father and husband. His startup Asoriba was named the Ghanaian startup of the year 2015 and also won the Innovate Africa Challenge, a business pitching competition for startups in Africa the same year.
Nyashadzashe Nguwo is a software developer, intellectual property advocate and Co-Founder and CEO of Flexi Africa, a platform that encourages African businesses' to sell their products to the world. Flexi Africa encourages African-made products to be distributed to consumers all over the world and mainly in Africa. Over the past few years, statistics show that there has been a massive increase in sales on e-commerce platforms within Africa. Overall, Flexi Africa will be targeting 53 African nations that will help promote and maximise sales for various African businesses.'
Tav is a serial entrepreneur, having founded several tech companies in China and Africa, including Meister Allianx, BTN Blockchain AI, ahaa Tech, Miaplenou Technologues and his latest startup fintech, Sumo Tech as well as marketing agency Bullworks.
He has been a member of AIESEC for 7 years, working with young leaders around the world. He is also known for his activities in the One Young World community, of which he is an Ambassador. He was initiated to the business world very early by his parents at the age of 11.
Tav is passionate about user experience, design and branding. He started his career as a web and graphic designer at the age of 16. In the past he was a consultant for several marketing campaigns for brands such as Pocari, Coca Cola, Budweiser, San Miguel and more.
Adeshina Adewumi John is the CEO/Co-founder for One Kiosk Africa, where he focuses on inspiring the team towards achieving a sustainable e-commerce model for Africa. Adeshina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Bowen University and post graduate diploma in Entrepreneurship from the Lagos Business School. He is driven by his commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. He has shown high level of commitment in driving positive change, promoting sustainable development goals and capacity development through various programs in Nigeria, Africa and the Globe. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts UK, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management; a member of the Institute of Management Consultant and several other associations. He actively participates voluntarily in facilitating courses on innovation and creativity for fresh graduates in partnership with the Knowledge Exchange Center (a Nigerian Nonprofit Organization) focus on bridging the knowledge gap of fresh graduates and creating job opportunities for all. He is also a mentor with the Tony Elumelu Foundation where he supports various emerging entrepreneurs across Africa. Adeshina started his career in 2011 as an intern at Abel Aiyedogbon and Co, where he served as an audit assistant and shortly upon graduation took up other appointments with Stanbic IBTC Asset Management, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Pioneer COO of Proville and now CEO/Cofounder of One Kiosk Africa. Adeshina has engaged on various local and international platforms among which include but not limited to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) 100 African Startup Initiative and Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Heather Yixuan Li is a native of Beijing and former community manager of TechNode. She graduated from Penn State University with a dual degree in Public Relations and Political Science. She fell in love with the richness of African culture and community and was nominated as “Friend of Africa” last year by Appreciate Africa Network. She’s passionate about technology and its intersection with China-Africa relations, and currently a freelancer in bilingual PR and marketing for cross-border businesses. She’s the founder of Dot Connector, a boutique PR agency aiming to connect the vast opportunities of China and Africa’s tech and startup ecosystems. As a co-host of New Frontiers in African Tech, she hopes to create a platform to spotlight thriving tech startup founders in various African countries, and connect them with investor and support networks in China and beyond.
Reginald Nsowah is from Ghana and an aerospace engineering officer in the Ghana Air Force. He is also the co-founder. Ticketmiller is innovatively using Technology to provide ticketing solutions for events, sports and transportation in Ghana. Ticketmiller provides a full ticketing management service that allows organizers to organize events and interact with fans and customers. Since its inception in 2018, Ticketmiller has served over 100 events and counting and is passionate about using technology to improve day to day life in Africa. Reginald is passionate about entrepreneurship and youth unemployment and seeks to help more young people to develop innovate solutions to develop their communities. He is also a Mandela Washington fellow and founder of Future Ready Africa.
Welcome to the final episode of the Men Engage series. Dr. Paul Hamilton is currently a high school English teacher at Kang Chiao International School in East China. He holds a PhD in Shakespeare Studies from The University of Birmingham, UK. He is a Shakespeare Fellow at Kingston University, organizes conferences on Shakespeare, and is a member of the Kingston Shakespeare Seminar.
Tichaona Stanley Mungofa, commonly known as Tich is a Zimbabwean citizen studying International Economic Law in China, in the city of Wenzhou. He is a stern believer in Jesus Christ and loves hanging out with friends. He loves tech and enjoys spending time with his friends and believes that despite any difficulty the laughter and joy shared among friends makes life enjoyable. He loves tech and through his own self study has become an expert. He likes seeing what’s trending in the industry and gets excited when he sees brands that he admires (like Apple) flourishing. He also likes to search about individuals who’ve made it in various business fields as well, especially billionaires. Their stories, financial gains and business models excite him. Tichaona operates a store which deals mainly with retailing devices such as Apple, Huawei and Samsungs! The business is mainly online and ships out packages within our city and beyond China to places like India and Africa. The shop also specialises in basic and simple repairs of the devices at very affordable prices.
Ali Qadir 李卡 is from Quetta Balochistan, the southwestern province of Pakistan. He is a postgraduate student of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA). Currently, he is doing his master degree in Applied Economics majoring in International Trade from College of Economics and Management, NUAA. He has been living and studying in Nanjing, Jiangsu since 2014. Since very young age, he has been deeply concerned about the global challenges and he is passionate about taking voluntarily actions on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030. He is the founder of ‘From Compassion To Action (FCTA)’. FCTA is an independent group of international student and expat volunteers, from various countries with different skin colors and diverse languages, but maintaining the same belief, that is, turning compassion into action and contributing to society with love. Since its inception in 2016, FCTA has been voluntarily organizing several projects on achieving the goals of SDGs 2030 in Nanjing, Jiangsu and Anhui province of China. Besides organizing volunteering projects, Ali Qadir has also done numerous talks on creating the sense of responsibility among people to get concerned about the global challenges and voluntarily start taking actions on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Nigerian, Kenneth Adeyemi is a mechanical engineer, the Founder of Omni-Errands Manufacturing Limited; a solid minerals processing company in Nigeria, and a Co-founder of D'revive-Co, a financial services company focused on African development. He is currently undergoing his graduate studies in Wenzhou University, China.
Mr. George Solomon is a BSc Holder in Computer Science with a minor in English Linguistic Language. George was born and raised in Dar Es Salaam a city in Tanzania, Eastern Africa. George came to China to persue his education career in 2016; He then opened his startup company Wenzhou Hams Information Technology Co., Ltd at Longwan District, Wenzhou City. George is now the CEO/Founder of Hamster International App a product of Wenzhou Hams Information Technology Co., Ltd. He is also the Manager at the Wenzhou Foreign Entrepreneurship Club Group. George believes in entrepreneurship as a major pathway for both people and company development.
In this final episode of series 3, a podcast collaboration with Kenroy George on digital transformation you will met Johns Beharry. Johns is a Software engineer (full stack), with UX, and Project Management experience from running a full service Product Development agency – currently hyper focused on utility, adoption, and scaling of Distributed Ledger Technologies. He is the Founder of and Principal Architect at Peak Shift Limited.
Most of his experience is in product development - so he’s familiar with the entire product life-cycle, I have built REST APIs with Python, Node.js and connected them to Databases like MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Stellar and Single Page Applications using React.js, Vue.js and orchestrated their deployments of Docker images with Swarm or Kubernetes being pushed to various Linux distros.
Welcome back to series 3, a podcast collaboration with Kenroy George that brings together various individuals to discuss the fascinating topic of digital transformation. In this episode Kenroy interviews Melissa Powell from Jamaica. Melissa’s passion for people centric businesses led her to become the co-founder and cohost of InvestHuman, a podcast listened to on all continents in 70+ countries, which explores reigniting the human element of work.
Melissa is also on a mission to facilitate nation building by zooming in on professional migration and its positive effects on the economics of individuals, companies and countries. This led her to create Pocmi Inc which is an HR and Immigration technology company focused on creating and bringing to light innovative ways to improve the movement of high skilled labor across borders, and co-create Block eM Ledger Consulting Group (BEML), focused on emerging technology solutions for the sustainable development of LAC. The BEML team has been working with institutions in Jamaica to help them understand the value of emerging technologies, predominantly
Blockchain and how it can be used to help them to fulfill their purpose. She has been featured on Virgin.com, SiliconCaribe.com and TheBusinessYear.com. Melissahas previously led panels and given presentations internationally on Personal Branding in the Work Place, Multicultural Diversity, Hiring the Best Teams, How to Prepare International Students for the Local Job Market, Empathy and Leadership in the workplace, as well as presentations and panels on emerging technologies and its potential uses in the Caribbean.
As a Jamaican woman heavily involved in technology and entrepreneurship, she recently co- produced and hosted a podcast series called WE-Speak Caribbean. This podcast was commissioned by the Caribbean Export Development Agency and UN Women Caribbean, with the support of the European Union, to give a voice to Caribbean women in business.
Melissa is also a part of the Project Entrepreneur Class of 2018, a Branson Legacy Entrepreneur, a Mentor and Founder Graduate of the Founder Institute. She advocates for peace and progress through supporting and discussing innovation and diversity. She actively participates in close-knit future of work and technology initiatives such as i4j (Innovation 4 Jobs), various women and blockchain groups, digital Identity and various other global emerging technology and entrepreneurial groups, which she also mentors and advises. She uses these avenues to develop solutions for economic and people centric sustainability. She has a master’s degree in international business, an MSc. in Construction Management and a BA. in Architecture, with certifications from reputable organizations such as HBS, IFRS Foundation, USGBC, etc
Welcome to Series 3, a podcast collaboration with Kenroy George that brings together various individuals to discuss the fascinating topic of digital transformation. Kenroy brings 20 years of media and tech experience to the table. He currently spends his days as the Founder of Cari, building out infrastructure for a self-sovereign identity and storage ecosystem in the Caribbean and Africa. Working mostly as startups (KIT Digital, Thrillist, The Daily) he has sharpened his entrepreneurial skill set in the means streets of New York. He works with local entrepreneurs through GrenStart to provide a much needed support network and mentorship. In this first episode, 110 you will get to learn more about Kenroy and the work he is doing to push the digital transformation agenda forward.
Marcus Boereau, originally from Port-au-Prince-Haiti, is TV personality in China, fluent in eight languages and the Founder & CEO of IMAR Business Group-a China-based firm that provides a complete range of trading and business facilitation services to help companies and individuals to elevate their network of global partnerships and develop rewarding opportunities.
Marcus has been living in China for over 10 years, which has given him first-hand insights into the Chinese culture and society. He is a strong professional with a Master of Science degree of Economics focused in International Trade from Shanghai University, China; and an experienced Director in investment facilitation with a demonstrated history of working in the public administration, skilled in Negotiation and Business Planning Entrepreneurship.
Welcome to the final episode of series 2 whereby I speak to three young Ethiopian men on topics which require broken worlds thinking. The third and final interview in this three part series is episode 108 with Anteneh Tesfaye.
Anteneh is an Ethiopian from Addis Abeba who works as country product lead for Africa’s Talking. Africa's Talking is a Pan-African technology company with operations in dozens of African countries. Africa’s Talking provides communication (SMS, USSD, Voice, Airtime) and Payments (mobile money, bank, card) infrastructure to software developers and businesses’. Essentially the aim is to have businesses’ focus on creating great experiences for their customers without worrying about the infrastructure to deliver these experiences.
He is also the founder of Shega. Shega is an online publication and research platform which focuses on the Ethiopian tech and startup space. Shega also organizes events and tech meetups as well as support and consultation to local and international investors, incubators/accelerators and startups.
Anteneh is interested in Innovation and startup ecosystems across emerging markets with a more specific focus on Africa, China and India. His curiosity for emerging technologies also led him to blockchain and crypto, where he spends his free time reading and engaging in the subject area. He is also the community organiser of Digital Asset Ethiopia, together with other enthusiasts.
Before Africa’s Talking and Shega, Anteneh worked for Indian Fintech startup, Cred which to date has raised over $100 million. Anteneh is an Alumni of AIESEC, where he volunteered for three years and is a member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
Welcome to series 2 whereby I speak to three young Ethiopian men on topics which require broken worlds thinking. The second in the three part series is episode 107 with Mathias Abdissa.
Mathias is an entrepreneur, engineer, and product builder with a very solid engineering background, who has lead and built financial, e-commerce, real estate, and educational products. In the past he founded an e-commerce startup and generated $0.3M in revenue in 16 months and under 4 employees with $0 capital. He also founded a Saas startup and lead a team of 5-8 engineers to build software applications for hardware components. He has collaborated with other senior product managers to strategise product releases, bug fixes, marketing and sales materials. He has a global network which spans China, UAE and the Philippines for e-commerce and consulting businesses.' As an entrepreneur he is very passionate about solving problems by leveraging engineering, product, and business experience. His current interests are in e-commerce and blockchain/cryptocurrency. In the crypto space he is fascinated by stable currencies, public and private chains, and remittance applications.
Mathias is currently doing business development across the African continent for Reserve, a company building a stable, decentralized currency.
Welcome to series 2 whereby I speak to three young Ethiopian men on topics which require broken worlds thinking. The first in the three part series is episode 106 with Hiruy Ephrem.
Hiruy shares with us investing basics from his experience of working with investors in the startup ecosystem. Hiruy is an Ethiopian-American from the Washington D.C. area and is currently based in Shanghai working as an Investment Analyst for Sean O’Sullivan Ventures; also known as SOSV. SOSV is dubbed as "The Accelerator VC" deploying its capital through its network of 7 accelerators around the world. Over the past 20 years the firm has funded well over 600 startups and currently to fund over 150 startups per year. All startups are funded initially through SOSV accelerators and since 2010, SOSV has developed seven key accelerator programs across 3 continents (HAX, IndieBio, RebelBio, Chinaccelerator, FOOD-X, MOX, and dLab). Hiruy currently serves as an Analyst with Chinaccelerator and MOX. Chinaccelerator, the first startup accelerator to launch in China, is a mentorship-driven program helping internet startups from around the world cross borders - from the world into China and from China to the world. MOX, which stands for Mobile Only Accelerator, enables mobile apps and services to reach the next 4 billion mobile-first, mobile-only smartphone users in Southeast Asia and India.
Before beginning his new job at SOSV, Hiruy spent the last two years working with Angelvest Group as the Program Manager. AngelVest was launched in 2007 in affiliation with the Asia America MultiTechnology Association of Shanghai. The group’s mission, as one of the first institutionalized angel groups in China, is to enable entrepreneurs in China to raise angel or early-stage capital from accredited angel investors – who can provide not only capital, but also operating expertise and relationships to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. As program manager, Hiruy was responsible for sourcing startups, helping with due diligence, investor relations, and marketing.
Hiruy has always been interested in Entrepreneurship and China. He studied in Middlebury College and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Politics & Economics. As part of the of the degree, he learned Mandarin and studied abroad in Beijing for a semester at Capital Normal University. After his semester abroad, Hiruy was able to intern as a Marketing Operations Intern at Beijing Niu Technologies; also known as Xiao Niu – an Electric Scooter company based out of Beijing and recently IPO’ed on Nasdaq in 2017.
In his free time, Hiruy enjoys traveling and seeing his friends in different parts of the world. Additionally, he frequents Shanghai’s comedy scene and performs at open mic’s as an amateur comedian. If you would like to share your thoughts and perspectives with us on this podcast please send us a message here. If you would like to connect further with Hiruy you can do so via LinkedIn.
You can find out more about Rare Birds via the links below:
- Website
Our final episode, number 105 of this series features Fama, who hails from The Gambia and is currently majoring in Aeronautical engineering at NUAA in Nanjing. She is passionate about AI, tech and gender equality. She hopes to bridge the tech and Gender GAP in Africa. She competes in different tech competitions with her team to help her gain the necessary experience to make an impact when she finally goes back home. She is currently working alongside her CoFounder Beth, on turning their ideas into companies which can impact young people on the continent. You can find out more about Fama by connecting with her via LinkedIn.
You can find out more about Rare Birds via the links below:
- Website
Episode 104 of this series features Neud Tesfay the 22-year old Ethiopian CoFounder of A to C-Africa to China. He currently lives in Nanjing, China where he is studying Software Engineering at Nanjing university of Aeronautics and Astronautics. A to C aims to bridge the gap between the small and medium-sized businesses' in Africa and China.
If you would like to share your thoughts and perspectives with us on this podcast please send us a message here. If you would like to learn more about Neud you can find him via the links below:
- Company Website
- Trading Website
You can find out more about Rare Birds via the links below:
- Website
Episode 103 of this series features South African Zazu Zungu, a business student at Tongji University in Shanghai. She‘s worked in diverse startup teams as both co-founder and consultant. With China as her base, she founded Manzini - an AI research company centered on machine learning for higher education and ultimately building a machine-led curriculum that seeks to fully digitize education in the classroom.
If you would like to share your thoughts and perspectives with us on this podcast please send us a message here. If you would like to learn more about Zazu you can find her via the link below:
You can find out more about Rare Birds via the links below:
- Website
Episode 102 of this series features Tanzanian Kizwalo Simbila, the Founder of SchoolBiz Forums, a growing online student community and social learning platform for schools and universities. He is also the Founder of iTalk Network, a conferences platform, KS Visuals, a graphic design studio, a public speaker, and business student based in Ningbo, China. Listen in to this insightful discussion!
If you would like to share your thoughts and perspectives with us on this podcast please send us a message here. If you would like to learn more about Kizwalo you can find him via the links below:
- Website
You can find out more about Rare Birds via the links below:
- Website
In our first interview we speak with Cameroonian Gaelle Patricia Ayamou, the Co-Founder of Duapa Africa, a social enterprise that seeks to contribute to the socio-economic transformation of Africa through developing innovative solutions. She is also the co-founder and CEO of Think, Share, & Create Hub (TSCHub), a Beijing-based social enterprise dedicated to creating platforms where women and youth from different backgrounds and nationalities can get inspiration, resources and skills needed for their personal and professional growth.
If you would like to share your thoughts and perspectives with us on this podcast please send us a message here. If you would like to learn more about Duapa Afric and TSCHub you can find details via the links below:
- Duapa Website
- TSCHub Website
You can find out more about Rare Birds via the links below:
- Website
Hello Everyone,
Welcome to the Rare Birds Podcast.
I know it has been quite some time since you have heard from me. My name is Jo-Ann, your big sis and the chief curator behind this podcast. For those of you who have been with me from the outset, thanks so much for patiently waiting for me to return. We have come a long way, indeed! To new friends you're invited to share in the mission. Our conversations are happy and relaxed. I am animated, therefore you will hear my guffaws, screams and random laughs. If this sounds like your kind of vibe, then sit back with your favourite cuppa and listen in. I am not an expert on anything. I make no claims! What I am is curious, adventurous and an amateur conversationalist. I am still learning how to be a better listener and speaker. I consider myself a conversationalist in training.
Through this platform I aim to share with you the untold stories of women and young people from emerging markets and developing economies. They are all early stage entrepreneurs building high impact businesses.' We discuss topics related to entrepreneurship, lifestyle and leadership. They all have an interesting perspective and through our dialogue I hope to create shifts and inspire conversation. SecretBirds to Rare Birds and a Little in Between is a short podcast whereby my dear London-based friend Esme interviews me. Through this listen you learn a little more about me and the evolution of this platform and me, from SecretBirds to RareBirds.
Follow our hashtag #RareIsChange via the platforms below:
- Website
In this episode Collette and Jo-Ann discuss brands, what they do for us and how they make us feel. We also delve into how a clear strategy can help create a stellar business.
Bruno and Jo-Ann discuss the various types of business structures available for startups to help you select the one which works best for you.
In this episode Jo-Ann and Kelechi discuss rejection and setting boundaries. Listen in to learn more.
In this episode Danni shares with us her work, her penchant for books and what is next for her at Conscious Dreams Publishing.
In this podcast episode Simone and Jo-Ann discuss Simone's profession, what she does, how she does it and building a business in that field.
In this track Reyhana walks us through the four imperatives every business needs to consider in the early stages of business.
In this podcast episode Monique shares with Jo-Ann how anxiety and depression due to a menstrual disorder forced her to step back. We discuss what this means for ambitious women and how it affects them overall.
In this episode Bryn shares with us practical steps for entrepreneurs to prevent burnout.
In this podcast episode Jennifer discusses how and why entrepreneurs tend to be nonconformist.
In this episode Alissa and Shari share with us their experiences with trying to launch their magazine Shuga N Spice! Listen in.
In this episode Natz shares with us how she shifted from a teaching career to an educational consultant. As an edupreneur Natz has built her business: Power Thoughts, where she offers services to parents and kids as young as five.
In this podcast episode Marguax shares with us how she became a self taught entrepreneur and photographer. She is now five years in and is sharing her story with others.
In this episode Sophie shares with us why being true to your natural, feminine self as a woman creates flow, love and abundance in your life :
In this podcast episode Lorlett shares with us why it is important to preserve one's heritage and culture as they build their business. How does this happen? Listen in.
In this episode Chiara shares with us her journey of building her organisation Led by Her in the past five years from nothing to an industry stalwart to now walking away to pursue other interests.
In this podcast episode Ashanti shares with our Founder & CEO Emotional Baggage and how to manage disappointments as one builds their business.
In this podcast episode we discuss: · Starting a business at age 25 vs. age 50 · Transforming misfortune into a new business opportunity · How a change of place can change your life
Listen in!
In this podcast Dr. Crystal shares with us how women entrepreneurs can use emotional intelligence to build their business. Listen In!
In this episode Andrea shares with us how she went from being the frustrated parent to an innovative entrepreneur.
In this podcast episode Sandra shares with us her journey from Honduras to the USA. She also discusses how she shifted from being a trailblazing corporate woman to an entrepreneur.
In this episode Candice discusses her business, building it as a woman of colour and a black woman. She also shares her thoughts on other women of colour entering the wellness business and the various opportunities and challenges available to them.
In this episode Axelle shares with us her vision for women empowerment throughout the Caribbean region. Are Caribbean women empowered? How do we define the empowered woman?
In this episode Crystal D'Cunha shares with us why customer experience is vital to building our businesses.' Do you know the difference between customer experience and customer service? Listen in to find out more.
In this episode Luvena shares with us conscious and unconscious bias and stereotypes that we all carry. Creating a business/ industry that is inclusive and the connection to personal business values. She also shares her own personal journey and her business the Curvy Yogi.
In this podcast episode Candace discusses how she became a culture maker. Her thoughts on the commodification of culture, creatives as entrepreneurs and much more.
In this podcast episode Victoria shares with us her three steps to for making an idea innovative. Reverse mode, park mode and go mode. Listen in!
In this podcast episode Charl shares with us her journey as a food blogger and transitioning from blogger to entrepreneur.
In this podcast episode Taribba based in St. Lucia, shares with us the limitations of being a designer in a small economy whilst trying to compete internationally.
In this podcast episode Psyche shares with us the importance of building a personal brand. Why everyone should consider their personal brand. What a brand influencer is and how we can all get started.
In this episode Adanna shares with us why perfectionism is not your friend. Are you a perfectionist or a procrastinator? Adanna says most perfections are procrastinator. Remember job done is better than perfect.
In this episode Terrieann shares with us her story of challenges. Why she decided to create a platform for women and how she remains motivated and resilient as she continues to build her business. Now in year 3 Tailored by Terrieann is growing from strength to strength.
In this podcast episode Georgie-Ann discussed her journey as an immigrant to the USA at age 7, her development as an entrepreneur and her experience as a black, female, caribbean, young, immigrant in the tech and entrepreneurship space.
In this podcast episode Anila shares with us her social enterprise which she has developed with her sister. She also delves into her struggles as a woman and those of other women in her native Pakistan and how it led her to where she is now. Listen in to find out how you too can use social entrepreneurship as a tool to empower women.
In this podcast episode Harsha shares with us the importance of building wealth. Are you becoming income or wealth? Learn the 3Ws of wealth from the Wealth Gym Founder and get ready to exercise your wealth muscle.
In this episode Shinese shares us with her holiday trip with her girlfriends to the Essence festival. This conversation centres why it is important to maintain friendships with your female friends as you build your business.
In this podcast episode Cassia shares with us her advice on how to go from strategy to presence when building your business.
In this podcast episode Shenal shares with us her personal journey and transformation as well as insight into when science and spirituality converge, how miracles can happen! Listen to how to transform your life now.
In this episode Vayjayanti discusses why and how she went about creating India's first Entrepreneur Summit dedicated to Kids.
In this podcast episode Vaneese discusses stepping into your bold, big and bad. How do you go from shrinking violet to blossoming rose? How do you maintain it? What does it mean to be authentic and why is it important for you to be the real you.
In this episode Nydia discusses the creation of her business Choiselle. She also shares with us why we should all be using natural skin care products, her native St. Lucia and how her business supports her country.
In this episode Senela shares her story with us as well as what it means to be an empowered woman.
Santiago Villamil Oddone is a Shanghai- based Argentinian solicitor working as a partner at China In Law Partners. China Law focuses on foreign related legal services. They help Chinese companies go abroad and invest in foreign countries and conversely, they help overseas companies invest in China, and benefit from the economic growth in the country.
In this episode Michelle shares with us why she chose to dedicate her platform to Caribbean designers as well as her aspirations and dreams for the future of her very popular With Love from Guyana.
In this episode Roz and I discuss how her personal life experiences led her create a life dedicated to supporting women to excel in confidence, careers, finance and health.
In this episode Juiliette shares with us the importance of being yourself as you build your business. She also opens up about, her past, the future, her training in Nantes and her first trip to Haiti.
In this podcast episode Charlotte shares her struggle with impostor syndrome and maintaining your confidence as you build your process.
In this episode Ruby shares with us the importance of continuous education through her acronym E D U C A T I O N. Listen to hear more and to be inspired to be your best.
In this podcast episode Kavitha shares her own story as well as her thoughts on choices.
In this podcast episode Evelyn discusses with us how she started a business at the young age of 23 which provides digital security services. She also goes into detail about why digital literacy is important particularly for children and the parents who are raising them.
In this episode Professor Goldberg shares with us his work as the creator of the online MOOC Beyond Silicon Valley and the subsequent book bearing the sane name. Learn more about him and his work and why it matters that we support entrepreneurs in developing economies.
In this episode Iva thinks shares with us her story which started in Egypt and ended in the Netherlands, where she is currently based. She discusses her expertise in the areas of Law of Attraction and Self Love.
In this episode Regine shares with us how to go about building a business in a developing country with little to no info to start.
In this episode Nerissa shares with us her journey as a woman entrepreneur in the Caribbean and how she uses her writing as a tool to empower Caribbean women entrepreneurs.
In this track Danica David, Artist, Educator, Entrepreneur and much more discusses how she went from an artist straight out of university to a business owner.
In this Podcast Episode we speak with Nedgine Paul Deroly, based in Haiti as she shares with us building a movement of civic leaders, rooted in appreciation of culture, customs & community.
In this episode Carli is back in preparation for our #RareBirdChat to teach us all what we need to do to get started with our marketing.
In this episode Carey-Lee shares with us her experience of building communities for millennial women and why mentoring is important.
In this episode Stephany shares with us her thoughts and ideas on how to go about building impactful women centred communities.
In this episode Jasmine shares with us her take on comfort zones and honouring one's purpose through the following: 1. Work and career 2. Relationships 3. Spirituality (in terms of development)
In this episode Rachel offers tips on how to collaborate and communicate effectively across cultures.
In this episode Makisa shares with us her entrepreneurial story and how she decided to pursue her passion. She discusses taking flight and not looking back.
In this episode the Founder of Island Muse, share with us her spiritual journey and her thoughts on Women's Empowerment and Faith. Listen in and share your views.
In this podcast episode Corinne, the Founder of Askanya Chocolate discusses female entrepreneurs in Haiti and her journey to starting her business.
In this episode Abi shares with her us how she transitioned her business from the UK to the Caribbean island of Nevis.
In this episode Dominique shares her experiences of leaving her career behind to follow her entrepreneurial dreams. This also included relocation from Birmingham to the Caribbean island of Nevis. Danielle talks candidly about feeling sexualised and how she plans to use her newly created platform to affect change.
In this episode Melisa shares with us her expert advise and knowledge on millennial finance for Caribbean women.
In this episode Le'Nise discusses various aspects of her work: health, hormones and barriers as they relate to women. She discusses a multitude of topics such as why women think PMS is normal, knowing one's body, being confident whilst visiting doctors and much more.
In this track, Mikelah discusses her journey as a blogger and shares knowledge on how to go from a blogger to a brand ambassador.
In this episode Ann discusses how her battle with brain cancer, led to her starting her global business, which empowers travelers through volunteerism.
In this episode Ain shares the challenges and accomplishments of up and coming Caribbean designers. She discusses how designers can overcome and how and why Caribbean designers can build global brands.
In this Episode, Alice discusses her business and of course the challenges and rewards of building a business from scratch whilst working a full time.
In this episode Hillary Strobel, the Founder of The Flyways speaks about Impact Investing, what it is, how it works and why it is important for women.
In this episode Sian shares her entrepreneurial journey with us. She also discusses her thoughts on the environmental movement in the Caribbean.
In this podcast episode Roxana shares with us, how our soft skills muscles, can help us manage change in our daily lives.
Azza is an entrepreneur based in Egypt. In this episode she discusses her art form and what it is like to build a business in this field.
Sheila discusses her role as head of Habitat Indian Build for Women as well as why entrepreneurship is the women's new movement.
In this podcast Alize shares with us her journey from French Guiana to Paris and now NYC, where she resides and is building a global magazine brand. We delve into the cultural, colonial and historical aspects that divide the Caribbean and our hope for unity! Listen to find out more.
In this podcast, Carla shares how her challenges helped her to become the woman and entrepreneur she is today!
Monique discusses the sexy ways, in which we allow fear to prevent us from pursuing our dreams.
In this episode Bhavini shares her journey from Banker to Entrepreneur and what led her there. She discusses her two businesses and focuses on her publishing company and the future of independent publishing.
In this episode Sana discussed empowerment through entrepreneurship and the challenges and changes occurring in the MENA region.
Anu Vittal in Canada. She is an Entrepreneur, Marketing Specialist, Community Leader, Six Sigma Specialist,Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award Winner 2009 and Visual Artist. Anu Vittal is the CEO of AVC Inc and believes in empowering people to create, connect and celebrate. With over 23 years of corporate experience in the fields of marketing & supply chain she brings expertise in process improvement as a certified Six Sigma Specialist and ISO-9001 Auditor. Her greatest strength lies in being a successful entrepreneur who has built and sold businesses. As a practising artist and arts administrator she believes that artists directly benefit the eco-cultural balance of a country.
Living life as a multipotential. This dynamic ‘Polymath’ wears many Hats! Kuiljeit Uppaal is a Pilot, a CEO and Entrepreneur, an Image Scientist, Creative Director, an Author and an Educationist amongst other hats that she wears.
In this episode Tisha shares how she left her corporate career without a back up plan or strategy to start her own business.
In this episode Anna shares with us why knowing who you are is key to building a business.
In this episode, Wemo, shares with us the importance if developing sustainable business models.
Tonya shares with us the transformative power of travel and how it can help entrepreneurs to build their businesses.
In this SecretBirdsHQ Podcast Episode 3 Vayjayanti Pugalia, Founder of Sonalis Cubo and The Tailored Table talks to us about creativity and entrepreneurship.
In this SecretBirdsHQ Podcast Episode 2 Jigna Shah, Fashion Designer, shares with us her story as she became a fashion designer.
In this SecretBirdsHQ Podcast Episode 1 Elaine Slatter, Founder of XL Consulting and the Fabulous Fempreneurship Community, Author and Mentor shares with us her story as she shifted from CEO to Entrepreneur.