Amplifying the African Diasporans
|
|
Dear Friends,
Trends in conversation on social entrepreneurship have consistently been about Africa, yet often absent are the voices, ideas, and financial backing of Africans. African Diaspora Network was founded upon the need for an organization that would honor the individual achievements of Africans in the diaspora and on the continent, and provide a platform for these visionaries to put their minds together, collaborate, and spearhead the transformation that the African continent truly needs.
According to our 2018 Builders of Africa's Future Awardee, Dena Montague of ÉnergieRich, "ADN convenings create unique and precious spaces to hear from people from various disciplines and occupations who are leaders in their fields, allowing for a broad range of ideas and perspectives on innovation, harnessing intellectual capacity, business opportunities, etc. Overall, ADN events are inspiring and have given me much needed energy to continue our work."
ADN elevates and recognizes African diaspora excellence. We continue to amplify the work of Africans in the Diaspora and are proud to showcase the incredible work of Ingressive, BETA, and ÉnergieRich. There is tremendous potential for the global African diaspora community to harness their resources and talents to shape the direction of the African continent. Stay tuned for major upcoming announcements on our national forums that will provide a platform for collaboration toward our common goal of uplifting Africa.
As always,
Thank you,
Almaz Negash
Founder & Executive Director, African Diaspora Network
Executive in Residence, School of Global Innovation & Leadership, SJSU
|
|
|
Ingressive LLC is a market-entry and operations firm assisting international funds and corporates to enter and operate across sub-Saharan Africa. They work with the biz dev, marketing, CSR, or investments arm of companies, and build strategies that radically grow companies’ usage and addressable market in-country. On the ground, they provide funding, investment, and resources to tech ecosystems across Sub-Saharan Africa. They have served over 50 clients who have gone on to do 35+ deals on the continent.
|
|
"With some of our clients, we recently launched a multi-million dollar venture capital fund."
|
|
|
|
Through Ingressive Capital’s network of limited partners (investors) including those who run Y Combinator, Techstars, and WTI and over 10 other top funds and accelerators, they help companies get follow-on funding from abroad.
|
|
Builders of Africa's Future 2018 Awardee Spotlight on BETA & ÉnergieRich
|
|
|
|
The current model of global energy access produces severe energy injustice. While most of the West consumes massive amounts of energy, 96% of people in rural Burkina Faso are excluded from sustainable energy access. This imbalance produces stark social and environmental impacts, disproportionately affecting women, particularly in rural/peri-urban areas of Sub-Saharan Africa.
|
|
|
Boureima Kabre, Founder of Burkina Energy and Appropriate Technology (BETA) and Co-Founder of ÉnergieRich has spent the past three decades fighting for energy justice in his home country of Burkina Faso and throughout West Africa. Kabre believes we have a global responsibility to advocate for energy access which is connected to human dignity and survival in Burkina Faso.
|
|
|
|
Boureima founded BETA in 2003. BETA was the first Burkinabé organization to introduce solar energy to rural areas of Burkina Faso. BETA delivers solar products via a network of distributers throughout Burkina Faso. The company has mobilized close to 250 distributers and sold over 20,000 solar lamps and solar kits in Burkina Faso since 2005.
|
|
|
BETA has put in place a network of hundreds of carefully selected micro entrepreneurs throughout the country. The distributors inform households about the benefits of the solar, raise awareness of the dangers and expense of traditional forms of lighting (flashlights and kerosene lamps) sells solar lamps and kits to rural communities.
|
|
|
|
BETA partners with Little Sun, a German social enterprise that makes portable solar lamps. The lamps have become a product and symbol for women’s empowerment in these rural areas. But the path has not been easy. Because of the high interest rates on microcredit – up to 18%, Mr. Kabre purchases lamps with his own money and sells to his customers (95% of whom are women) directly so that customers can avoid these exorbitant interest rates.
|
|
|
Boureima formed a partnership with Dena Montague to co-found ÉnergieRich and organization that is tapping into the resources in top U.S. Universities to develop clean energy prototypes such as a solar powered poultry egg incubator and solar lamps, that will be locally assembled in Burkina Faso. Local assembly will create local employment and become allow for hands-on engineering education for community members.
|
|
|
|
Through ÉnergieRich, they explore ways of introducing local assembly of solar products, including solar panels, solar lamps and solar powered poultry egg incubator. They are beginning to find ways to introduce high-technology into his work in Burkina, for example, by exploring the use of drones for dust elimination on solar panels.
|
|
|
Partnering with Space Enabled at the MIT Media Lab to explore how space and satellite technology can be used to develop sustainable development solutions. A holistic approach that incorporates battery recycling and recycling education. Learn more about ÉnergieRich here. |
|
ADN on Engaging the African Diaspora: June 19 Webinar Series by Africa Business Portal
|
|
|
|
Everyone wants to engage the African Diaspora to bring FDI and human resources to their native lands. The diaspora is looking for safe ways to invest. Understanding the opportunities, obstacles and problems solvers can enhance engagement. Explore the topic "Engaging with the Africa Diaspora" through this ABP Webinar Series on Africa Investments 2019.
|
|
Harnessing the Ripple Effect of ADN
|
|
|
African Diaspora Network seeks past participants of ADN events, including African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS 2016 - 2019) and our Impact & Innovation Series, to share the takeaways of their experience. Organizations such as LoftyInc Capital Management, Gebeya, and Flutterwave have benefited from connections made through ADN and our signature African Diaspora Investment Symposium to meet some incredible people. |
|
|
"While LoftyInc Management partners were attending the 2017 ADIS, African cohort members of YC & 500 Startups came to meet us there. As a result of knowing their backgrounds from our team on the ground and meeting them at ADIS, we have since been confident enough to invest in three Africa-facing ventures: Flutterwave, Printivo and Kangpe/Reliance HMO. Their average value has appreciated 2-3x in 2 years. They are part of our Afropreneurs Fund portfolio, which seeks to raise up to $60M to do more of the same." - Marsha Wulff, LoftyInc. Capital Management
|
|
|
Help us harness our ripple effect and fill out the survey to amplify the impact of your work as we prepare for our landmark fifth annual convening, African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2020 (ADIS2020). *Note: The final set of questions are specific to past and current awardees of Builders of Africa's Future. We thank you for contributing your feedback and sharing your stories!
|
|
"The connections I made were certainly the most impactful for our organization. I was able to create lasting connections with other organizations and individuals. These connections continue to assist our growth. Additionally, hearing about the experience of other founders and their ideas for their organizations was extremely helpful." - Dena Montague, 2018 BAF Awardee, ÉnergieRich, on the impact of ADN
|
|
|
|
Join Us Today & Get Access to Your 2019 ADN Membership Benefits
|
|
Your membership enables you to unique access to ADN and the global leaders, innovators, investors and entrepreneurs like you who seek to uplift the African continent. We have an exciting year ahead, with convenings across the United States and Africa, supporting our Builders of Africa Awardees and other startups in Africa and building momentum for ADIS2020. Learn about membership levels and benefits on the African Diaspora Network site. |
|
ADN Membership Levels:
- Friends of Africa
- Sustainers
- Donors Circle
- Vision 2025
|
|
|
Abundance in Africa MasterClass Series Now Available to All — Download and View Today
|
|
|
|
ADN is delighted to announce the complete release of the the Amplifying Abundnace in Africa Online MasterClass. Thank you to all those who have downloaded the videos and supported us in our efforts to make the videos accessible to everyone for the purpose of learning and understanding the opportunities in investment in Africa.
|
|
Read the ADIS2019 Summary & Action Report
|
|
|
|
"ADIS2019 was the first time my husband and I attended this ADN conference and we walked away thrilled! We live in NJ and found it randomly on the MoveMeBack website, but didn't expect to have such a good time. We came in to learn a bit more about the ecosystem of investments and entrepreneurship in Africa. We met wonderful people and actually walked away with practical things." — Lina Kacyem, CPCU | Claim Manager, Travelers Insurance Company
|
|
|
Community Partners Announcements
|
|
|
Apply By June 15 to the Stanford Seed Transformation Program 2020
|
|
|
Stanford Seed, an initiative led by one of the world’s leading business schools — the Stanford Graduate School of Business — is looking for high potential CEOs and founders to participate in the Seed Transformation Program.
The program provides business training exclusively to owners of small-to-medium sized enterprises based in East Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, India and Sri Lanka. It is an unconventional, high-touch learning experience that goes beyond acquiring business skills. Stanford's world-renowned faculty and dedicated team of experts work with leaders throughout their 12-month journey to growth.
Selected participants receive the training and mentorship necessary to grow their companies; grow their revenue, geographic footprint and product/service offerings. Self-reported surveys indicate that:
-
64% of past participants increase their revenue;
-
50% expand into new geographies;
-
89% increase their customers; and
-
Cumulatively, they have raised $42 million USD in capital
Applications for the 2020 cohort are due 15 June 2019. Visit this site to learn more about the program and start an application.
|
|
Apply for the Conservation Action Research Network ASPIRE Grant By July 15
|
|
|
Applications for the ASPIRE grants for young African researchers are now open, and applications are due July 15. These grants are funded in part by USFWS, and provide funding of up to $5,000 to young African scientists for environmental research. Applications can be submitted at the following:
|
|
Accepting Applications for the 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship Expo Now!
|
|
By summer 2019, 4,400 Fellows across Sub-Saharan Africa will form an invaluable network of alumni who are spurring growth and prosperity, strengthening democratic governance, and enhancing peace and security across the continent. The Expo will take place on Tuesday, July 30that the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Please note that space is limited to approximately 100 organizations and agencies. Our team will be reaching out to confirm your participation and provide additional logistical information in the coming weeks. In the interim, you may address any questions to MandelaWashingtonSummit@irex.org.
There is no cost to exhibit at the Expo, but corporate sponsorship opportunities for the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit are available. If you are interested in corporate sponsorship options, please check the box below and someone from our team will reach out to you. |
|
|
|
Visit our website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
