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Unleashing the True Potential of Entrepreneurship

Africa Business Challenge Kick-Off Event

DATE & TIME

April 12, 2021
9:00 am–10:30 pm (EDT)

LOCATION

This event will be hosted on Zoom.

CONTACT

Emma Martens, emartens@gbsn.org

GBSN, sponsored by AACSB International and Stanford Seed and supported by Peaqs and Emlyon, is pleased to present a virtual business concept competition for African undergraduate and graduate students. The competition will challenge student teams to design a viable business concept that addresses a locally-relevant challenge or problem related to sustainable development and Agenda 2063. The focus is to promote and support responsible capitalism for emerging markets and to identify high potential young people for mentorship and investment. 

Over 80 student teams from 34 institutions in 15 countries across Africa have signed up to participate. Join us as we celebrate the power of entrepreneurship in sustainable development and officially kick-off the 6-week competition.

The competition is designed with the following values in mind:

  • A commitment to the importance of responsible entrepreneurship and its role in job creation
  • An international outlook
  • A commitment to ethical business practices
  • A strong interest in young people in emerging markets and the role that business can play in creating opportunities that enable them to develop
  • A believe that business is a public trust with the obligation to improve and serve society
  • A commitment to lifelong learning and continuing education

The kick-off virtual event featured a line-up of notable speakers, an introduction to the international panel of investors and judges and previews into the Peaqs and Localized platforms. Watch a full recording of the event below.

Host

  • Rob Vember

    Director, Programs & Partnerships
    Global Business School Network
    South Africa

Speakers

  • Adetunji Adegbesan

    Founder & CEO
    Gidi Mobile Ltd
    United Kingdom
  • Austin Okere

    Founder & Vice Chairman
    Computer Warehouse Group Plc.
    Nigeria
  • Diana Popa

    Founder and CEO
    Extensio
    Mexico
  • Dr. Rickie A. Moore

    Professor of Entrepreneurship Director, MSc in Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    emlyon business school
    France
  • Tim Mescon

    Executive Vice President and Chief Officer of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa Headquarters
    AACSB International
    Netherlands
  • Marie Høpfner-Dahl

    Co-founder and Director
    Peaqs
    Denmark

Agenda

Time Agenda
9:00am EDTIntroduction and Opening Video
Rob Vember, GBSN
Opening Welcome Remarks
Dan LeClair
CEO
Global Business School Network
9:10am EDTSetting the Stage
Rickie Moore
Professor of Entrepreneurship Director, MSc in Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship
emlyon business school
Sponsor Address: Stanford Seed
Darius Teter
Executive Director
Stanford Seed
Sponsor Address: AACSB International
Tim Mescon
Executive Vice President and Chief Officer of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa Headquarters
AACSB International
9:35am EDTPanel Discussion: The Role of Entrepreneurship in Social and Economic Development
Across Africa
Adetunji Adegbesan, Founder & CEO, Gidi Mobile Ltd
Austin Okere, Founder & Vice Chairman, Computer Warehouse Group Plc.
Diana Popa, Founder and CEO, Extensio
10:15am EDTUnleashing the True Potential of Entrepreneurship
How do we get better at fostering the entrepreneurial mindset and get game changing ideas to solve real world problems?
Marie Høpfner-Dahl, Managing Director, Peaqs

Questions

For any questions or concerns, please email Emma Martens at emartens@gbsn.org.