Launched in New York, the Africa Entrepreneurship Platform is highlighting the efforts of entrepreneurs who are core to Africa’s future job creation efforts.

The Africa Entrepreneurship Platform successfully debuts in New York

Earlier this year, the Harvard Club of New York saw the launch of the Africa Entrepreneurship Platform. Over 150 people gathered to support the sharing of ideas from inspirational African entrepreneurs who are at different phases of starting their journey towards entering new markets, growing their enterprises and creating jobs, a key purpose of this program.

The event was open to new and existing members, special guests and partners of the South African Chamber of Commerce in America and received an overwhelming response from both the United States and Africa.

The Consul General of South Africa in New York, Ms. Fikile Magubane´s opening address and letter of support from Mayor Bloomberg started an evening that highlighted on the ground activity across a range of areas from African wine, beverages, graphic design and mining to IT. With the input of luminaries from New York’s financial services world, the wide spread and deep support for entrepreneurs across Africa to further grow businesses that have the potential to scale thereby driving job creation was very evident throughout the evening.

Supporting the ‘Missing Middle’

Following the presentations a large group of attendees remained to network well into the evening with new relationships being forged and new ideas discussed. This is the spirit of the Africa Entrepreneurship Platform aimed at connecting people around discussions on Africa on a regular basis.The goal is to highlight efforts of those entrepreneurs that have the most potential but fall into the category termed the "missing middle".

This group - too large for microfinance loans and too small for mainstream private equity investment- is core to Africa’s future job creation efforts. The Africa Platform is dedicated to assisting in highlighting the efforts of this segment of entrepreneurs and in doing so, hopes to encourage more in Africa to start such efforts and more in the USA to seek to partner with this important segment. The evening saw 4 key note speakers, all leaders in their fields share their valuable insights with those gathered.

Speakers included Thomas. C. Barry, the CEO of Zephyr Management, LP, Teresa Clarke Ellis, Managing Director, Investment Banking, Goldman Sachs, David J.P. Meachin, the Chairman and CEO of Cross Border Enterprises and Paul E. Tierney, Jr, Chairman of Technoserve.

Showcasing Africa’s Entrepreneurs

Five entrepreneurs were also showcased highlighting tangible examples of efforts to grow initiatives focused on Africa. These included Acqumine; a Southern Africa based mining technology company improving safety, communication and efficiency through ground breaking technology and innovation and with the potential for rollout across Africa and other international markets.

Also showcased were Caranda Fine Foods, Heritage Link Brands, a leading advocate in bringing African wines to the United States, ID&B Design and JGH, a cutting edge studio based in South Africa focusing on the creation of dynamic, content driven websites and web based products and illustrating the opportunity for international companies to partner with African based web designers.

The program for the evening saw an agenda that was rich and full in its diversity. The purpose of the Africa Platform series is threefold. First, to highlight positive stories breaking stereotypes regarding Africa and entrepreneurship ; second, to connect Africa focused endeavors to potential US partners; last, to inspire and encourage new entrepreneurs to start efforts in Africa by providing tangible role models they can refer to.

The event closed with the announcement of the Africa MBA Alliance highlighting the presence of the Presidents and leaders of the Africa Clubs of several major Business Schools. Student leaders from Harvard, Wharton, Stern, Columbia, Tuck, Zicklin and Brandeis were present as a part of this launch in a never before seen gathering of young African leaders to support entrepreneurship via the Africa Platform.

SACCA EXCO member, Prince Cedza Dlamini, founder of the Ubuntu Institute for Young Social Entrepreneurs, thereafter closed the evening by speaking about the African concept of Ubuntu or “giving”, thanking our guests of honor, participants and audience for their presence and passion for Africa.

Various media groups were present from the International Marketing Council, New York Times and Harvard Business School Publishing to several African media groups. The launch has generated widespread positive feedback and energy. What stands out is the deep support from organizations across all segments including members of leading investment banking, non-profit and government organizations. The aim of this series is to generate exactly this positive energy about Africa across continents, across segments and across sectors.

The next Africa Platform aims to showcase East and West African entrepreneurs in particular and is scheduled for the second quarter of 2008. Applications from entrepreneurs at africaplatform@sacca.biz are now welcome. Contact africaplatform@sacca.biz +1 917 916 97 96

Photos: Ezra Mabengeza