Jess Montgomery-Ruben

👇Exciting update ahead!👇 In September, our Pears Challenge: Validate cohort of early-stage startups returned from a powerful two-week field validation trip to Kenya. For each of these founders, this wasn’t just a trip—it was a hands-on immersion, a chance to step into the heart of East Africa’s market, and an opportunity to meet the people whose needs they’re aiming to serve. From Nairobi’s bustling hubs to insights from local communities, each day offered valuable lessons that can only be learned on the ground. In this video, you’ll get a glimpse into what they experienced: the insights they gained and the partnerships they started building. Through this journey, they moved closer to validating and refining their solutions, turning ideas into real, impactful innovations that matter for financial inclusion in East Africa. A big thank you to our incredible partners (especially to Barak Granot, Tanya Ogwel and the Israel Economic and Trade Mission to Kenya team), and everyone who made this trip possible. Your support allows us to create these transformative experiences that push our founders to new levels of understanding, resilience, and growth. Hagit Freud 🎗Yonatan Bukhdruker Roni Levy David Mendelbaum Ron Yakir Ariel Resnik, Eran Yaniv, Shatha Kabaha, Itamar Wilf, Dr. Ron Adany, Vadim Nave, Benjamin Pileggi, Ofer Atzmon, Eddie Nevoani CrediBility, Coinnect wallet, RiceUp, Crafts of Africa, SafeCoin, MultiKol Amit Grabovski, Loop Pet Food, HomeBiogas Kenya, Daniel Mungai, Ishai Ben Or, Avenews, Africa Fintech Summit, Charles Isidi

52

3 Comments

Breaking down big concepts like #shiftthepower and #equitabledevelopment into concrete and specific actions. That's what we do. Check out our Kim Kucinskas and Ishbel McWha-Hermann from FairPay as they make Equitable Compensation something we can all understand and apply.

6

Being compliant is a key part of our values at Biodun and Ibikunle Foundation. We drive this same ideal in the entrepreneurs we support, which is why the 45 entrepreneurs in our 2024 SEEDINVEST Acceleration Programme are currently learning how to manage their business taxes. Facilitating this important session is Mr Animashaun Adetola Babatunde (FCA, ACTI), Managing Partner, Animashaun Adetola & Co. We believe that this session will help these entrepreneurs get the clarity to become more tax responsible entreprises. #biodunandibikunle #2024SEEDINVEST

1

When we talk about Member Services at ATAF, what do we mean? Mr Linstrom K. Marangu asks Mr Emeka Nwankwo... "It means being member-centric and representing the opinions of our 44 members and Africa at large. These members make up ATAF." LIVESTREAM this conversation here: https://lnkd.in/dX7MypPP #ATAF

14

This week at the #2024AVPAConference in Nairobi, we’ve been focused on impact investing to fuel innovation across sectors in Africa. Looking at the health sector, The Lemelson Foundation is an investor with Jaza Rift Ventures, a seed stage pan-African VC fund investing in innovative African healthtech startups. Here is a sample of its portfolio of companies across the continent covering digital health, medtech, and biotech: 💡 Figorr - internet-of-things-powered healthcare supply chain startup in Nigeria focused on cold storage and monitoring and last-mile delivery solutions for health and agricultural products 💡 Intron Health - speech-to-text electronic medical record startup in Nigeria facilitating first-level diagnostics and accurate documentation of patient information 💡 Revna Biosciences - precision medicine startup in Ghana integrating biomedical research with clinical and diagnostic services 💡 YeneHealth - femtech startup leveraging technology in Ethiopia to establish a health ecosystem for women Learn more about Jaza Rift Ventures here: https://jazarift.com/ Sewu-Steve T. Villgro Africa African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA) #healthtech #medtech #femtech #socialinvestment #SDGs #philanthropy #catalyticcapital #CatalyseAfrica #AVPA2024 #ImpactInvesting #AVPA #Africa #Impact #Innovation #Invention #Entrepreneurship #SustainableGrowth

9

2 Comments

At Rehori, we believe that youth talent is a powerful weapon in eradicating GBV and fostering dynamic change within our community. Through educative drama, our young people are raising awareness on PSEA (Prevention from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) and GBV, creating a ripple effect of knowledge and empowerment. These dramas are not just performances—they are vital tools for education, promoting dialogue, and shifting harmful norms.  We urgently call on international, national, and global stakeholders to join us in this mission. Your support is crucial in boosting the localization of protection efforts in Kakuma and Kalobeyei. By investing in youth-driven initiatives like ours, you contribute to a safer, more informed community where every individual understands their rights and responsibilities. Together, we can strengthen the capacity of local actors to lead and sustain these efforts, ensuring that protection and prevention strategies are deeply rooted in the community. Join us in empowering our youth and building a future free from violence. DRC-BOMA-ISRAAID-ECHO-DANIDA-UNICEF-COHERE-UBUNTU-AMALA-UNHCR-UN WOMEN-GIZ-TDH-AMAHORO-INKOMOKO-WORDBANK.#GBVChampion#womenempowerment#youthfuture#genderjustice#SRHR#ampifychange#communityichange#youthtalentoriented#youthpwoer. @victoria Striker@abbey deadman@Theo@vivian#Bill@everlyne@Simon@Imbolokonye-Edith

4

Have you ever thought about when something becomes waste? Our co-founder Laura Stanford joined the #RISEAfrica 2024 Action Festival to add bugs to the conversation on building #CircularCities. She shared her perspective on the important of rethinking waste and handing sustainable decisions over to our consumers through making circular and sustainable products more available. That is what we are here for... giving pet owners the option of proudly circular and sustainable pet food for the first time! #LOOPLove #SustainablePetFood #CircularEconomy #InsectsAsFeed

5

1 Comment

In this article, I have reflected upon the potential of targeted training for MSMEs within the sanitation and waste management service chain. Written in the context of our FINISH Mondial programme, I explore how these efforts aim to contribute to systems change and strengthen the sector.

18

Unlocking Africa's 'Inward' Potential: Driving Growth Through Rural-to-Rural Trade and Commerce. businessadvantage.co.ke & www.ambilightup.com During Africa Month in May, Business Advantage and Ambi Light Up are joining forces to celebrate rural talent and markets. Our aim is to shift the narrative surrounding rural spaces, viewing them not merely as consumers of urban or internationally imported goods & services, but as vibrant producers & significant players in locally 'inward-bound' commerce. Together, we seek to champion the unique potential & capabilities of rural communities, recognizing their invaluable contributions to Kenya's & Africa's economic development and innovation. Rural entrepreneurs often design their enterprises and products using unique talents and life experiences of their unique local life, drawing inspiration from their local community culture & long standing unique indigenous skills. These elements eventually become unique defining features in both their product design & trade capabilities. In Kenya, every rural market boasts of its own unique treasures of history, skills, goods & services, all of which can be 'inwardly-exported' to other Kenyan rural areas, fostering rural-to-rural commerce. Rural-to-rural trade &commerce is achievable & scalable because it comes without the regulatory complexities often encountered in country-to-country trade. Research indicates a huge total addressable market within Kenya's rural areas, where a significant majority, approximately 70.2 percent, of the population finds its home. Now, let's imagine the profound economic impact of nurturing & expanding rural-to-rural trade across Kenya. By 2022, Kenya's rural population rose to 38,358,435 partly fueled by the escalating cost of urban life in Nairobi, prompting a migration wave from the capital city to Kenya's rural spaces. One thing is abundantly clear: Today's rural migrants bring with them a wealth of expertise and adaptable skills that act as catalysts for rural commerce. Kenya's rural communities are ready to cultivate their own flourishing markets & to share through 'inward-export' their expertise, products, & services with fellow rural markets across Kenya—in exchange for what each community lacks but requires. If Kenya & Africa were to embrace the call to champion rural-to-rural trade, what vibrant entrepreneurial opportunities would we see emanating from our rural areas? Let us collectively challenge the outdated notion that rural regions need to rely solely on urban expertise & internationally imported goods & services. Instead, let us envision a future where Africa's rural economic growth is sustained by robust networks of rural-to-rural trade, linking vibrant markets and talent across Kenya and Africa.  Visit Business Advantage Ltd & Ambi Light Up to learn how we can help you position your business, organization and services for rural-to-rural commerce. #RuralDevelopment #Commerce #Trade #AfricaMarkets #EastAfrica

20

1 Comment

I miss Tanzania 🇹🇿🧡 I miss the vibrant people, the journey to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, and most of all, our incredible team at Migration Venture Africa, our partners for our Reach Your Peak Kilimanjaro events. Next year, we’ll return to do what we do best: bringing together leaders from companies and large organisations on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Our mission is to guide leaders from around the world to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, fostering unity, vision, and improved company culture along the way. Today, I received this picture from Eli, one of our guides, and it inspired me to share more about our work at The Pathway. When companies engage with The Pathway, they seek a unique approach to leadership development. Our method is straightforward yet highly effective: we envision your ultimate success from the outset. We understand the goals you aspire to achieve with your company leaders and the evolution each leader needs to undergo, and we know how to guide you there. The Pathway's Leadership Model is designed to help leaders excel both professionally and personally. Our team provides the insights and strategies necessary for your company leaders to reach their full potential. At the heart of our strategy is a collaborative partnership 🤝 We work closely with you to identify your specific needs and tailor a journey that nurtures the talented individuals within your organization. Recognizing that your people are the driving force behind your business, we leverage our extensive knowledge and experience to comprehensively apply principles of evolution, continual improvement, and business model optimization. Our commitment goes beyond understanding; it extends to providing ongoing support for the growth of your teams and leaders, ensuring they consistently operate at their best. Our results-driven approach is rooted in a commitment to excellence. We offer more than just coaching and leadership development; we provide a pathway to sustained productivity, engagement, and overall performance advancements. We empower CEOs, MDs, Directors, and their teams to meet and exceed their professional goals by addressing unconscious behaviours that impede progress. Our clients engage with us because they value our unwavering dedication to their success. The impact is profound. Beyond tangible improvements in productivity and performance, our clients discover a renewed sense of authenticity in their leadership. By cultivating their true selves, they become better leaders and more fulfilled individuals. Are you looking to enhance leadership development within your organization? Reach out today to find out how The Pathway can tailor a development package specifically for your company's unique needs, schedule, and budget. We will help you and your company create a customised solution that drives success across your team. 📧[email protected] 💻www.steviekidd.com ☎️+44 (0) 330 311 2413 Stevie Kidd

11

From the Diary of a Field Worker - 15 A few years ago, after we formed Self-help Groups (SHGs) as part of the rural development project I was working with, we had started forming them into higher level federations such as Village Organisations (VOs) at the village level with 2 representative members from each SHG. At that time, we used to conduct VO meetings twice a month during the night-time (as the members were all poor women who were mostly dependent on daily wage labour, the night-time was more convenient for them). Once in a while when a meeting got over pretty late in a village, I and my colleagues used to stay at a group member's house in the village and go back early in the morning. During one such instance, while I stayed at a member's house, I got to spend time with her daughter Divya (name has been changed), while her mother was busy cooking. Divya was 12 years old then and was mentally challenged. Both of her parents were daily wage labourers. They couldn't sustain their family even if one of them were to stop working, so Divya used to stay at home under the care of neighbours. While I was spending time with Divya, some questions formed in my mind and I duly asked Divya's mother, "Did your daughter start getting her periods? How are you managing with it?". She replied plainly, "Yes, she had matured. But we couldn't handle the difficulties and got her operated and had her uterus removed." The answer astounded me. Hysterectomy on a 12 year-old girl? I just couldn't come to terms with the fact and it must have showed on my face, for Divya's mother stated helplessly, "But what else could I have done? Even on a normal day taking care of our daughter is tough for us, let alone during her menstruation. It used to be hellish not only for us but for our daughter as well. That is why we had to take the step." Who was to be blamed for this situation? Was it Divya's fault for being born as a disabled girl child in a poor household? Or was it the parents' fault for not being able to give proper care to Divya due to their poverty and had to resort to getting her uterus removed in childhood? Or, is it the doctor's fault for agreeing to do such an operation on a small girl? It wasn't in Divya’s hands to decide how to be born and which household to be born into. Maybe, the parents, who were already going through the trauma of not being able to give proper care to a child with special needs, thought this was better than further inconveniencing Divya and themselves. At a time when there are no other alternatives to a situation, the lines between what is right and what is not become blurred. P.S: Translation Credits: Swathi Gadepalli

15

7 Comments

As we close Women’s Month, let's shine a spotlight on the powerful role women play in the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector. In this insightful article by Ipeleng Mohlala, CEO of Early Care Foundation (ECF), we explore how empowering women in ECD not only nurtures our children but also strengthens entire communities. 🌍💪 Discover how providing women with the tools to succeed in ECD leads to financial independence, economic growth, and a brighter future for all. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3MsAyRj #WomenEmpowerment #ECD

16

1 Comment

#MakeFarmingSexy Anyone got any problems with that? With The Nasio Trust based in western Kenya, we are blessed with bountiful, extended rainfall, ample sunlight and a climate suitable for a variety of crops. So why do many of our supported families still suffer food insecurity? Mumias is known nationwide in Kenya for one thing – sugar. Mumias Sugar was one of the biggest mass-producers of sugar in the whole of Kenya. Their model was to buy the raw sugarcane from local farmers, produce it into sugar and sell to the market. It was a win-win. The sugar company got what it needed for business and the farmers received a ready-made market for their crops.  This was great – until the sugar company collapsed. Suddenly a whole community dependant on one form of agriculture was left bereft. The reliance on monocropping sugarcane had ripped all the fertility from the soil and Mumias was left with a generation that had not inherited the indigenous agricultural techniques of their parents.  Nasio’s solution? Make farming sexy. Agriculture makes up around 80% of employment and income in Kenya, whether we all dream of the next generation becoming lawyers, doctors or teachers, a huge majority of them will become farmers – and at Nasio we embrace that.  We have created a sustainable, climate aware, regenerative agriculture project that focusses on turning small-hold farmers into sustainable – scalable – producers in the space of two years.  Our focus is on reintroducing indigenous practices back into the community, focussing on non-chemical and fully organic fertilisation, pest control and crop management. We create community ownership by grouping farmers together for joint accountability and aim to establish community seed banks to ensure the long-term sustainability of the farmers.  Last year, we saw farmers increase their yields by 28.6% This was achieved solely by trainings in organic agriculture.  The outcome? Over 1.5 MILLION meals grown for 1,150 households in Mumias West.  Many of the next generation will end up reliant on agriculture for their futures – why not make that an attractive option for them?  🧡 

17

1 Comment

Great initiative! Investing in ClimateTech startups can drive significant positive change in Africa

1

Climate Activists Demand More Funding in Uganda’s 2024/2025 Budget Can increased funding and better policies make a difference? Ugandan climate activists are sounding the alarm, calling for a substantial increase in government funding to tackle the climate crisis. The recent budget hike for natural resources and the environment is a step forward, but it falls short of what's needed to combat Uganda's escalating climate threats. Extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and landslides are displacing communities and costing Uganda over $80 million. Yet, the current budget allocation for climate change is just 0.8% of the total national budget. What does this mean for Uganda's future? https://rb.gy/0nly42

2

"Africa must move beyond being seen only as a climate victim and emerge as a leader in global climate action.” James Mwangi - Founder and CEO - Africa Climate Ventures and Founder Climate Action Platform for Africa (CAP-A). Get ready for the Nordic African Business Summit annual event coming up this Thursday 3rd October in Oslo. Thought Leader Africa Thought Leader Global Media #COPJourney #ClimateAction #BusinessSustainability #NetZeroStrategy #ClimatePolicy #SustainableBusiness #COP29 #GreenEconomy #ClimateLeadership #RTNZeroConsulting #AfricaLeadership #SustainableFuture #GlobalChange

13

Breaking News!!! ASEB Welcomes Simon T. to Advisory Board We are thrilled to announce that Simon Turner has joined the Advisory Board of the Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders Summit and Awards (ASEB). Simon brings over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategy to the ASEB Advisory Board. As a Founding Partner of The Groundbreaking Org, he is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial breakthroughs in frontier markets. Simon also leads the Ghana chapter of the Founder Institute, the world's largest pre-seed accelerator. His extensive background includes: *A decade of service in the Royal Australian Air Force *Experience as a proptech founder *Director at MEST (Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology) *Founding Executive Director of the UK's Challenges Group & Challenges Worldwide in Ghana *Regular judge and mentor on TV shows "The McDan Entrepreneurship Challenge" and "The Circular Economy Competition" *Ambassador for the City of Berlin With nearly a decade of living in Ghana and working across Africa, Simon has been instrumental in supporting promising startups across various sectors. His expertise lies in helping entrepreneurs build credibility, generate revenue, gain traction, and access global networks and opportunities. Simon's current projects include collaborations with the Africa Startup Academy, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), and initiatives in Frontier Entrepreneurship. We are confident that Simon's wealth of experience and passion for nurturing entrepreneurial ecosystems will greatly contribute to the mission and vision of ASEB. His insights will be invaluable as we continue to support and celebrate startup ecosystem builders across Africa. Important ASEB Updates: *Award Nominations Extended: The deadline for ASEB Awards nominations has been extended to July 21, 2024. *Complete Your Applications: For those who have been nominated, please ensure you complete your application form before the new deadline. *Nominate Deserving Ecosystem Builders: If you know of ecosystem builders across Africa doing amazing work, we encourage you to nominate them. *Self-nominations are also welcome and encouraged. *Nomination Link: To submit nominations, please visit: https://lnkd.in/dvcmTUMS *Collaboration Opportunities: ASEB is open for collaborations and partnerships for this year's event and beyond. Event Details: The ASEB Summit and Awards will take place in Accra, Ghana from October 2-4, 2024. We look forward to recognizing and celebrating the outstanding contributions of startup ecosystem builders across Africa. Join us in this exciting opportunity to showcase and support African entrepreneurship! Wish to get involve? collaborations or partnerships, or the event, please visit our website or contact our team directly. Join us in welcoming Simon Turner to the ASEB Advisory Board and take part in this year's ASEB Summit and Awards! McKevin Ayaba #ASEB2024

52

23 Comments