global entrepreneurship week rwanda 2011: impact report

2011 Impact Report

GWE - Rwanda 2011 2

Editor/copyright info

- Designed by Creative Eye Rwanda in partnership with Global Entrepreneurship Week-Rwanda

- Copyright 2011 Babson-Rwanda Entrepreneurship Center(BREC)

- Disclaimer: Some information self-reported by event hosts

Local contact

• Babson-RwandaEntrepreneurshipCenter(NationalHost)

- Benjamin Cox [email protected] +250 (0)78 283 5596- Christopher Smith [email protected] +250 (0)78 283 5578

Global contact/spokespeople

• GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek(HQ)- Spokesperson: Jonathan Ortmans, President, GEW- Contact: Mark Marich [email protected] +1 202 467 2776

• KauffmanFoundation- Spokesperson: Carl Schramm, President &

CEO, Kauffman Foundation- Contact: Barbara Pruitt [email protected] +1 816 932 1288

AboutBRECBREC was formed in 2010 through a unique

partnership between Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. (USA) and the Rwandan Private Sector Federation (PSF).

Since its inception, BREC has engaged in a number of activities aimed at advancing entrepreneurship in Rwanda, including research, training,

networking, business plan development, coaching, and consulting services.

BREC works intimately with experts from both Babson College and PSF to develop and deliver valuable services to a wide spectrum of stakeholders

in Rwanda‘s entrepreneurship ecosystem, including students, business leaders, government agencies, universities, and other not-for profit organizations.

The Center is staffed by Babson employees and housed within the PSF headquarters in Kigali, Rwanda.

For more information, email [email protected].

National Host

Table Of

Contents

About GEW

Global Supporters

GEW-Rwanda At A Glance

What People Are Saying

Entrepreneurship Awareness Campaign

REAL Entrepreneurial Mindset

Message from National Host

StartUp! and DOT Innovation Fest

Global Entrepreneurship Week @ Lycee de Kigali

Talk on Youth EntrepreneurshipEntrepreneurship and Self-Employment

Social Entrepreneurship: Young Leaders Driving Change

The Dynamics of Entrepreneurship

Promoting Rural Youth Entrepreneurship

ICT BootcampMicro-Enterprise Training

Ambassador’s Special Self Help Expo

GEW-Rwanda Closing Ceremony

GEW 2012: Get Involved

GEW 2012: Sponsorship Benefits

GEW-Rwanda in the News

Social Media Feeds

Social Entrepreneurship in Contemporary Africa

Financial Literacy Fair

Entrepreneurial Solutions for Prosperity

Akilah Night 2011: Our Impact on Education & Workforce

BDC Rwanda Competition and Graduation Ceremony

PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS®Alumnae Association Launch

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Message from National HostGlobal Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2011 was the largest celebration of entrepreneurship the world has ever seen. More than 7 million people participated in nearly 34,000 activities meant to inspire and support the next generation of innovators and job creators as they work to solve global problems and expand human welfare.

Here in Rwanda, GEW 2011 was a great success. Working through dozens of local partners, we were able to reach more than 12,000 people across the country-an incredible accomplishment for our first year. Local, national and global activities helped participants to form important connections, to unleash new, bold ideas, and to shine a light on all of the people and organizations working year-round to support entrepreneurs in the country.

Since GEW was introduced to Rwanda, we have always had the vision of being the most successful campaign on the continent, and one of the most reputable in the world. Although this was only our first year celebrating GEW in the country, we have been able to make enormous strides toward reaching this goal. In the following pages, we are happy to share with you exactly how we are achieving these great results.

We are grateful to the hundreds of people and dozens of organizations that have already lent their support to this initiative. Together, we form an energetic, innovative, and forward-thinking community that is essential if we are to develop as an entrepreneurial society and solve the pressing issues around us. Still, we need new people and new organizations to unite as we demonstrate our collective commitment to an entrepreneurial Rwanda. We hope you will join us as we build upon the successes of our first year and continue to advance entrepreneurship around the world through GEW 2012.

Benjamin CoxCountry DirectorBabson-Rwanda Entrepreneurship Center

Christopher D. SmithCountry DirectorBabson-Rwanda Entrepreneurship Center

Benjamin Cox Christopher D. Smith

GEW - Rwanda 2011 3

GEW - Rwanda 2011 4

About GEWObjectives• Inspire GEW introduces the notion of entrepreneurial activity to those who have

never considered it while motivating aspiring entrepreneurs to launch new startups.

• Connect GEW facilitates connections to help build and expand networks across

national boundaries—unleashing new ideas at the intersection of cultures & disciplines.

• Mentor GEW creates an environment conducive to the sharing of ideas and

experiences that are invaluable in moving from ideation to launch.

• Engage GEW provides a platform for thought leaders to work together in fostering

an entrepreneurial ecosystem—examining research, public policies and successful approaches to promoting growth.

CampaignGrowth

2008 2009 2010 *2011

Countries: 77 88 104 123

Activities: 25,022 32,861 37,561 33,846

Partners: 8,892 18,277 23,952 24,008

Participants: 3 million 7.5 million 7.5 million 7.4 million

Global Founder

Global Sponsor

Global Partners

• Endeavor• Entrepreneurs’ Organization• JA Worldwide• Youth Business International• Center for International Private Enterprise• DECA• Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship • The Youth Employment Network• IFC/SME TOOLKIT• Business Council for International Understanding• YES | Youth Entrepreneurship and Sustainability• MIT Enterprise Forum• Kairos Society• Making Cents International

*Preliminary estimates

GWE - Rwanda 2011 2

Global Supporters“A global initiative aimed at awakening, stimulating, and motivating, especially in younger generations, entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and capacity for innovation. Entrepreneurship has, as a result, new reasons to be considered the cornerstone of economic and social progress in countries.”

President Anibal Cavaco Silva, Portugal

“Businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, creating jobs and prosperity, especially during these difficult times. Global Entrepreneurship Week will help existing entrepreneurs to expand and innovate, and inspire a new generation to get involved as well.”

Prime Minister David Cameron, United Kingdom

“Entrepreneurs carry a vision. They have the energy to develop themselves, the capacity to innovate and to create employment. We need them, their dynamism and their success to overcome this financial crisis… I therefore wish the greatest success to… Global Entrepreneurship Week.” President Nicolas Sarkozy, France

“The Obama Administration is dedicated to boosting entrepreneurship both in the United States and other countries to make that a reality… Global Entrepreneurship Week reflects a sense of collective responsibility to encourage young minds to pursue fresh ideas and unleash the full range of human potential.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State, United States of America

“In Denmark, we will now focus on renewed growth and entrepreneurship. We have to encourage everybody with an idea and the will to become an entrepreneur, to pursue their dreams. And I actually see Global Entrepreneurship Week as one way of making this happen.”

Brian Mikkelson, Minister of Economics and Business Affairs, Denmark

Global Entrepreneurship Week is supported by an impressive collection of organizations and thought leaders from around the world. From the day it was launched with the help of former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, GEW has enjoyed the participation of presidents and prime ministers on every continent, including: President Barack Obama (US); Prime Minister David Cameron (UK); Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel); President Anibal Cavaco Silva (Portugal); Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Canada); President John Atta Mills (Ghana); and numerous ministers.

VIP QUOTESThe following world leaders have all spoken out in favor of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

GEW - Rwanda 2011 5

“GEW comes at an ideal

time for Rwanda, when we are looking to innovative private

enterprises to drive our country forward. At this time we must support the next

generation of business leaders and provide them with the inspiration, mentorship, and other resources that they need to turn their ideas into

reality. Only then will we see new solutions to the social, economic, and environmental

challenges that are present today.”

Faustin Mbundu, Chairman, Rwanda Private Sector

Federation

GEW - Rwanda 2011 6

• 22 Partners • 26 Events • 12,000+ Participants

National Sponsors

Vision: To be the leading African nation

participating in GEW based on the size, scope, VIP involvement,

and innovativeness of our campaign.

Mission: To create a groundswell of activities that

inspire and advance entrepreneurship in Rwanda while demonstrating to the

world how innovation and privateenterprise are transforming

the country for better.

GEW-Rwanda At A Glance

GEW - Rwanda 2011 7

What People

Are Saying

It was an eye-opening

experience and it made me

feel proud to be involved with

this organization

as a mentor to an amazing

student. I hope that the other

attendees felt inspired to join

in this powerful movement.

Michelle Rugema, Office Manager,

KivuWatt/Contour Global on

Akilah Night 2011

Obstacles always appear between you and your goal. You should be passionate about your ideas and be ready to fight for what you believe in.GEW participant on their greatest takeaway

In this network, we are like sisters,

there is that very important

connection created thus improving

our business management

and ventures.

Immy Kamarade, President,

PSF Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs

speaking to PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS®

Alumnae Association

Very senior staff from the ministry of local government [participated]. This boosted the morale of the participants knowing that entrepreneurship is now sinking in the minds of the civil servants.

Rebson Dzala, General Manager, Center for Business Solutions

As business people we must have moral purpose. We have to see ourselves as the actors that have to come together to lift our nations out of poverty. So when we think about entrepreneurship, it is not only how do I do well for myself. It is how do I do well for myself and make sure that everyone benefits in the process. This is very critical especially in the case of Rwanda.Eric Kacou, keynote speaker at GEW-Rwanda Closing Ceremony

GEW - Rwanda 2011 8

It was nice to see young

people like myself using

entrepreneurship to drive

Rwanda forward,

and change it from an

agricultural economy to a

knowledge-based

service economy.

Josiane Isingizwe, participant at

Generation Rwanda’s GEW event

Now they believe in themselves and have the confidence to start their own business.Educat event organizer on the lasting impact of GEW on their participants

Students have seen that at the secondary school level they may become

successful entrepreneurs… Their mindset changed and the

evidence was the ideas they developed throughout the week and the

confidence they had when presenting and sharing them.

Rosine Ndayishimiye on the lasting impact of GEW @ Lycee de Kigali

Hosting a GEW event was a great opportunity for our organization to be part of a global movement and communicate our activities.Audric Mitraros, event organizer,

Solid’Africa

2011 National Sponsor

Invest in RwandaInvest in RwandaInvest in RwandaInvest in Rwanda

Invest in RwandaInvest in RwandaInvest in RwandaInvest in RwandaInvest in RwandaInvest in Rwanda

Invest in RwandaInvest in RwandaInvest in Rwanda

It IS better to do business in Rwanda

Why invest in Rwanda?

2nd most reformed economy in the World 2006-2011

3rd easiest place to do business in Africa

World Bank Doing Business Report, 2012

3rd most competitive African country to do business

World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report

2011 Future Policy Award Winner (National Forest Policy)

World Future Council

One Stop Concept: The Rwanda Development Board’s One Stop Centre enables company registration in just 24 hours.Simplified licensing and permitting procedure: There is free online registration and access to all major

doing business procedures.Sustained high economic growth: An average 8% GDP year on year growth since 2004, currency appreciation, highest GDP growth among major

African economiesRobust Governance: Political stability, well functioning institutions, rule of law

and zero tolerance to corruptionAccess to regional market: 150 million people in the East African Community Currency appreciation: Low inflation rate consistently remaining below 5%

GEW - Rwanda 2011 10

RDB’s Entrepreneurship Awareness Campaign attracted over 10,000 students interested in pursuing entrepreneurial career paths. Over the course of the seven day, seven stop tour, successful entrepreneurs, financiers, and government representatives inspired the students and encouraged them to follow their passions and create their own jobs.

11th-18th November 2011 • 7 Universities across Rwanda • 10,000 Participants

EntrepreneurshipAwarenessCampaignHosted by Rwanda Development Board

FEATURED EVENT

Ambassador’sSpecialSelfHelpExpoHosted by Embassy of the United States – Kigali, Rwanda

13th December 2011 • US Embassy, Kigali, Rwanda • 70 Participants

The U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund represents a long-standing partnership whereby the American peple support activities initiated and carried out by Rwandan entrepreneurs. At the inaugural signing ceremony and expo, Ambassador Donald Koran signed seven agreements totaling US $50,000 with associations and community-based groups.

GEW - Rwanda 2011 11 FEATURED EVENT

REAL Entrepreneurial Mindset Hosted by Educat


Educat’s REAL Entrepreneurial Mindset challenged participants to think outside-the-box as they completed a series of tasks throughout the week. The highlight of the week occurred when the teams of participants rose to the occasion as they planned and executed imaginative promotional events for local businesses.

14th-18th November 2011 • Peace Guest House, Kigali, Rwanda • 25 Participants

FEATURED EVENT

Global Entrepreneurship Week @ Lycee de Kigali Hosted by LDK Entrepreneurship Club

Secondary school students from Lycee de Kigali’s Entrepreneurship Club flexed their entrepreneurial muscles as they planned and organized GEW @ Lycee de Kigali. Prominent Rwandan entrepreneurs, university professors, and business experts led daily workshops on the entrepreneurial process for an audience of eager secondary students from all around Kigali. The week culminated with a Rocket Pitch Competition where students presented their own business ideas to their peers and a panel of judges.

14th-18th November 2011 • Lycee de Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda • 45 Participants


StartUp!Hosted by Digital Opportunity Trust-Rwanda

Energetic and talented young interns left a positive impact on their local communities as they educated local business owners in entrepreneurship and technology skills during Digital Opportunity Trust’s StartUp! event. The program is designed for the participants to combine their mechanics, electronics, and ICT backgrounds with the in-depth financial and business training to launch new businesses.

14th-20th November 2011 • Kicukiro College of Technology • 30 Participants

DOT Innovation Fest facilitated a worldwide exchange of ideas during GEW. Youth from around the world submitted business ideas with the potential for social, educational or economic impact to an open online forum and eventually judging.

We are proud to announce that both Sharon Munyazikwiye and Jean Claude Ndayambaje of Rwanda won first place in their categories.

Visit http://friends.dotrust.org to learn more!

DOTInnovationFest



TalkonYouthEntrepreneurshipHosted by AIESEC-Rwanda

AIESEC’s Youth Entrepreneurship Talk featured a presentation that debunked common myths around entrepreneurship and gave the audience insights into the realities of launching and operating a business.

15th November 2011 • Institute of Research and Dialogue for Peace, Kigali, Rwanda • 49 Participants

EntrepreneurshipandSelf-EmploymentHosted by Kigali Institute of Science and Technology & KIST Entrepreneurship Club

KIST Entrepreneurship Club’s Entrepreneurship and Self Employment event focused on teaching university students practical tools that they could use to become entrepreneurs. The Co-founder of Inyarwanda.com, the CEO of Alogorithm Inc., and the COO of Ecobank shared their experiences with the students and advised them on how they could launch their own ventures.

15th November 2011 • Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, Kigali, Rwanda • 65 Participants


PromotingRuralYouthEntrepreneurshipHosted by National Youth Council & US Embassy Kigali

Promoting Rural Youth Entrepreneurship held in the Nyaruguru district was a workshop that trained local youth in the basics of business planning and management. Empowering the youth of the district to be more entrepreneurial not only improves their personal well-being and that of their families, but is also critical to the development of Nyaruguru.

“Youth represent the future and hope of every country. The high return

on resources invested in youth today has both immediate and

long term benefits.” Susan Falatko, Public Affairs Officer,

U.S. Embassy


15th November 2011 • Kibeho, Nyaruguru, Rwanda • 75 Participants

Micro-EnterpriseTrainingHosted by Youth Employment Systems – Rwanda & Educat


Several low-income entrepreneurs operating in the informal sector gathered for YES Rwanda’s Micro Enterprise Training. The goal of the training was to empower the entrepreneurs with skills and knowledge to grow their businesses and encourage them to formally register their businesses, thus increasing their economic stability and strengthening their livelihoods.

PromotingRuralYouthEntrepreneurshipHosted by National Youth Council & US Embassy Kigali

15th-17th November 2011 • YES Rwanda Youth Service Centre, Kigali, Rwanda • 50 Participants

We make everycommunication memorable

PC 9773, Umuganda bldg, Remera II, GasaboAdvertising + Marketing • Rwanda • Ghana • Kenya • Tanzania

y ur wor ldthrough our eyes

www.creative-eye-africa.com


GWE - Rwanda 2011 2

TheDynamicsofEntrepreneurshipHosted by Center for Business Solutions

Several aspiring and active entrepreneurs attended The Dynamics of Entrepreneurship to learn how to effectively plan for their businesses. Participants were encouraged to rethink their business strategies and adopt a more visionary approach.

16th November 2011 • Hotel des Mille Collines, Kigali, Rwanda • 14 Participants

GEW- Rwanda 2011 22

“We need to bring it out to the whole wolrd that entrepreneurship is

taking shape in Rwanda” Rebson Dzala, General Manager,

Center for Business Solutions

FinancialLiteracyFairHosted by School of Finance and Banking

The Financial Literacy Fair hosted by the School of Finance and Banking gave students and active entrepreneurs insights into the financial ins and outs of launching and growing a business. Highlights from the event included a presentation by Rector Reid Whitlock on how to access bank financing and several moving stories from business owners on how they financed their start-ups.

16th November 2011 • School of Finance and Banking, Kigali, Rwanda • 75 Participants


FinancialLiteracyFairHosted by School of Finance and Banking

SocialEntrepreneurshipinContemporaryAfricaHosted by Solid’Africa

The audience at Solid’Africa’s Social Entrepreneurship in Contemporary Africa learned how organizations working in the social sector can utilize entrepreneurial principles to increase their impact. The audience then put their new knowledge to the test as they were challenged to think of how entrepreneurial ventures could be designed to solve various social problems in Rwanda.

16th November 2011 • Lemigo Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda • 45 Participants


EntrepreneurialSolutionsforProsperityHosted by Junior Chamber International & PSF Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs

17th November 2011 • Serena Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda • 150 Participants

During Entrepreneurial Solutions for Prosperity, Mr. Eric Kacou launched his book, Entrepreneurial Solutions for Prosperity in BoP Markets, and held a Q&A session on strategies to empower the world’s poorest to create wealth and improve their welfare. Mr. Kacou’s Q&A session was followed by networking reception where the audience carried on the message and discussed the transformative power of entrepreneurship.

GEW - Rwanda 2011 2GEW - Rwanda 2011 26

AkilahNight2011:OurImpactonEducation&WorkforceHosted by Akilah Institute for Women

Akilah Night 2011: Our Impact on Education & Workforce brought together political officials, business owners, education professionals, and students to network and to celebrate the Akilah Institute for Women’s 2nd anniversary. The event highlighted the student’s entrepreneurial activities and recruited professionals to act as their mentors.

17th November 2011 • Akilah Institute, Kigali Rwanda • 90 Participants


BDCRwandaCompetitionandGraduationCeremonyHosted by Rwanda Business Development Center

Rwanda Business Development Center’s Business Presentation Competition was the culminating experience of their 16-week entrepreneurship training program. Participants pitched their business ideas to the audience and a panel of judges for an opportunity to win a package of prizes.

Rwanda Business Development Center’s Graduation Ceremony celebrated the third commencement from their 16-week entrepreneurship training program. The program equipped Rwandan entrepreneurs with the real-world skills necessary to start and grow a thriving business.


17th November 2011 • Telecom House, Kigali, Rwanda • 40 Participants

18th November 2011 • Umubano Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda • 130 Participants

PEACETHROUGHBUSINESS®AlumnaeAssociationLaunchHosted by The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women

18th November 2011 • Christ Church Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda • 100 Participants

Realizing that entrepreneurship is key to establishing peace and stability, the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women runs a comprehensive business training for women entrepreneurs in post-conflict countries. During GEW-Rwanda, the talented alumnae of the program in Rwanda gathered together once again for the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® Alumnae Association Launch. The networking event was a great opportunity for the alumnae to celebrate their entrepreneurial endeavors and help them make valuable connections.


SocialEntrepreneurship:YoungLeadersDrivingChangeHosted by Generation Rwanda

Based upon the idea that young people can be catalyst for positive change, the Social Entrepreneurship: Young Leaders Driving Change workshop introduced the concept of social entrepreneurship to a room full of Generation Rwanda scholars. Case studies of social businesses operating in Africa guided the discussions and were supplemented by guest speakers from Teach a Man to Fish and Tough Stuff. Generation Rwanda scholars also shared their experiences on founding and operating socially oriented enterprises.



ICTBootcampHosted by Rwanda Week

ICT entrepreneurs gathered for the ICT Bootcamp to share their experiences operating ICT companies, discuss the state of ICT education, and collaborate on how to improve the ICT ecosystem.


In addition to participating in GEW, Rwanda Week hosts an annual event in Europe that serves as a platform for investment, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the land of a thousand hills.

Visit www.rwandaweek.eu for more information.

RwandaWeekEurope


GEW-RwandaClosingCeremonyHosted by Babson-Rwanda Entrepreneurship Center

18th November 2011 • Lemigo Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda • 200 Participants

The GEW-Rwanda Closing Ceremony ended the week’s activities with a bang. Over 200 guests joined the ceremony for a recap of the week and a rousing keynote address by Eric Kacou, Co-Founder of ES Partners and author of ENTREPRENEURIAL SOLUTIONS FOR PROSPERITY IN BOP MARKETS. The Permanent Secretary of Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade and Industry closed the ceremony by affirming the Ministry’s support of GEW-Rwanda in 2012 before the Isoko Institute premiered their new film, ENTREPRENEURS OF RWANDA, during a lively networking cocktail. Shot and directed by Mark Darrough, this short documentary shows how entrepreneurship and business-led development are improving lives and driving Rwanda forward.


GEW-RwandaintheNews• New Times

• Rwanda TV

• Rwanda Focus

• Independent

• Igihe.com

• Allafrica.com

• In2EastAfrica.net

• Contact FM

• Radio Flash

• Umucyo FM

• Radio Huguka

• Radio Maria

• Izuba Rirashe


GEW 2012

GetInvolved• Join the national planning team Marketing, fundraising, and event

management subcommittees• Advise the national campaign Provide expertise, networks, and goodwill to

ensure the campaign’s success• Organize an event or activity Small or large, local or global – GEW

activities are the backbone of our campaign• Support the national campaign Financial sponsorship and in-kind services

needed.


Email: [email protected] for more information


SponsorshipBenefits• Name/logo recognition on promotional

materials and advertisements, including: - Outdoor advertising (billboards, banners,

posters) - Electronic advertising (TV, radio, web) - Print promotions (newspaper adverts, press

releases, flyers) - Branded merchandise (shirts, hats, bags, etc.)• Speaking/exhibition opportunities at: - National featured events - National opening and closing ceremonies• Advertising opportunities in: - National website - National event guide - National activity report

“As soon as we

found out about Global Entrepreneurship Week Rwanda, we wanted to be a part of it. As

Rwandan entrepreneurs ourselves, we were intrigued by the opportunity to be part

of an event that promoted entrepreneurship in the country; supported new initiatives; brought

individuals, companies and communities together; and leveraged the public and private sector in supporting entrepreneurs. Being sponsors has meant direct exposure to a global community

we may not otherwise have accessed, and a chance to showcase our products and

services to potential clients.”

Joan Mazimhaka, Executive Director, Illume Creative Studio

www.facebook.com/gewrwanda

www.twitter.com/#!/unleashingideas

www.facebook.com/unleashingideas

www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=54753

www.youtube.com/unleashingideas

www.flickr.com/photos/unleashingideas

www.twitter.com/gewrwanda

www.flickr.com/photos/gewrwanda

www.gewrwanda.tumblr.com

Global Social Media Feeds:

Rwanda Social Media Feeds:


2011 National Partners

To join the movement: www.gewrwanda.org • [email protected]

global entrepreneurship week rwanda 2011: impact report

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