NABET, NABET 2018 Conference

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Walking on the Shoulders of Giants to Foster Entrepreneurship in Africa.
Christopher J. Speicher, Sr. Kevin Karimi, Caroline Millen, Melissa Saddlemire

Last modified: 2018-11-28

Abstract


This incubator project targets to bridge the gap in success and failure identified through research findings, which show 60% of incubators fail in several case studies in Africa. Such gaps arise from exclusion of potential leaders among innovative youth from those already successful in entrepreneurship. This project will train participants as trainers in transfer of skills, by merging theory and practice on evidence-based enterprises, largely borrowing from current studies’ noble recommendations, like longitudinal studies to foster a creation of collaborators than unhealthy competition in business. This recruitment process projects to get participants take ownership from its inception, opening the incubator project to measurable goals for sustainability after implementation. An initial group of 30 members will be recruited based on proposals for ideas they hope to implement, specifying what they lack to attain their stipulated goals, and adoption of a curriculum tailored to their perceived needs. A collaborative field assessment of available resources like farms for agribusiness training, natural springs to create a supply of clean water, use of technology, other enterprises like industrial tailoring, provision of nutritional services for mothers and children, data collection and ongoing research for winning enterprises, marketability of the goods and services, organized internships for college students to merge theory and practice. This model will utilize a grounds-up approach to create the incubator, where other approaches have been found to be low in success rate, by conducting joint field assessments, then providing skills in finance administration and mentorship in business planning.


Keywords


Incubators, Entrepreneurship, Africa, microfinance