Top brains to entice global investors
IN SUMMARYDemo Africa director Harry Hare said the event, the first to be held in Africa, presents a good chance for local innovators to move their businesses to the next level.Over the last five years, innovators at DEMO US have received about Sh297 billion in business capital.Microsoft, which is sponsoring the event together with Nokia and other multinationals, said that the partnership is one of the best activities they have done because it will help accelerate success of entrepreneurs and start-ups in Africa. http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Top+brains+to+entice+global+investors/...
I am keen to know to what extent innovators will leverage OSS as they make their pitches. I hope we will not see technology for technology's sake kind of innovations. We've seen some very sexy ideas develop over the years but they do not really solve real problems or are very hard to monetise. It would also be nice if we could hear of experiences of local developers/innovators in terms of getting funding for their start ups, how their ideas get an audience (and what reactions they get) etc. I gather there is a degree of wariness when it comes to showcasing ideas and the fear that players with big pockets will take it and run with it (because they can afford to) or shoot it down because it could disrupt existing business models (e.g. cross network shared mobile money platforms...). We've also heard that techies are just that - and have bright ideas but are not good sales people or any good in biz devt. To what extent does DEMO address this issue? On 17 September 2012 00:47, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote:
IN SUMMARY
Demo Africa director Harry Hare said the event, the first to be held in Africa, presents a good chance for local innovators to move their businesses to the next level. Over the last five years, innovators at DEMO US have received about Sh297 billion in business capital. Microsoft, which is sponsoring the event together with Nokia and other multinationals, said that the partnership is one of the best activities they have done because it will help accelerate success of entrepreneurs and start-ups in Africa. http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Top+brains+to+entice+global+investors/...
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.c...
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- Francis Hook +254 733 504561
+1 Francis. Infact my understanding is that Demo Africa is just that. This isn't about judging for competition's sake. The 'judges' are investors and companies looking for new products and services that already have traction or have a huge potential for traction. The last few years have been good for awareness and we have gained a reputation as an innovation hub. However the pipeline now needs to move towards actualizing these ideas into viable, bankable business models. Demo Africa seeks to fill part of the gap. Harry/Brian, hope I haven't put my foot in my mouth... Ali Hussein On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 1:51 PM, Francis Hook <francis.hook@gmail.com>wrote:
I am keen to know to what extent innovators will leverage OSS as they make their pitches.
I hope we will not see technology for technology's sake kind of innovations. We've seen some very sexy ideas develop over the years but they do not really solve real problems or are very hard to monetise.
It would also be nice if we could hear of experiences of local developers/innovators in terms of getting funding for their start ups, how their ideas get an audience (and what reactions they get) etc. I gather there is a degree of wariness when it comes to showcasing ideas and the fear that players with big pockets will take it and run with it (because they can afford to) or shoot it down because it could disrupt existing business models (e.g. cross network shared mobile money platforms...).
We've also heard that techies are just that - and have bright ideas but are not good sales people or any good in biz devt. To what extent does DEMO address this issue?
IN SUMMARY
Demo Africa director Harry Hare said the event, the first to be held in Africa, presents a good chance for local innovators to move their businesses to the next level. Over the last five years, innovators at DEMO US have received about Sh297 billion in business capital. Microsoft, which is sponsoring the event together with Nokia and other multinationals, said that the partnership is one of the best activities
On 17 September 2012 00:47, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote: they
have done because it will help accelerate success of entrepreneurs and start-ups in Africa.
http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Top+brains+to+entice+global+investors/...
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at
https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.c...
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
for
people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- Francis Hook +254 733 504561
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.com
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- *Ali Hussein* Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo
Spoke to Harry about this who are the investors ? which are their investments ? Thanks On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 3:45 PM, Ali Hussein <ali@hussein.me.ke> wrote:
+1 Francis.
Infact my understanding is that Demo Africa is just that. This isn't about judging for competition's sake. The 'judges' are investors and companies looking for new products and services that already have traction or have a huge potential for traction.
The last few years have been good for awareness and we have gained a reputation as an innovation hub. However the pipeline now needs to move towards actualizing these ideas into viable, bankable business models.
Demo Africa seeks to fill part of the gap.
Harry/Brian, hope I haven't put my foot in my mouth...
Ali Hussein
On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 1:51 PM, Francis Hook <francis.hook@gmail.com>wrote:
I am keen to know to what extent innovators will leverage OSS as they make their pitches.
I hope we will not see technology for technology's sake kind of innovations. We've seen some very sexy ideas develop over the years but they do not really solve real problems or are very hard to monetise.
It would also be nice if we could hear of experiences of local developers/innovators in terms of getting funding for their start ups, how their ideas get an audience (and what reactions they get) etc. I gather there is a degree of wariness when it comes to showcasing ideas and the fear that players with big pockets will take it and run with it (because they can afford to) or shoot it down because it could disrupt existing business models (e.g. cross network shared mobile money platforms...).
We've also heard that techies are just that - and have bright ideas but are not good sales people or any good in biz devt. To what extent does DEMO address this issue?
IN SUMMARY
Demo Africa director Harry Hare said the event, the first to be held in Africa, presents a good chance for local innovators to move their businesses to the next level. Over the last five years, innovators at DEMO US have received about Sh297 billion in business capital. Microsoft, which is sponsoring the event together with Nokia and other multinationals, said that the partnership is one of the best activities
On 17 September 2012 00:47, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote: they
have done because it will help accelerate success of entrepreneurs and start-ups in Africa.
http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Top+brains+to+entice+global+investors/...
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at
https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.c...
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
for
people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- Francis Hook +254 733 504561
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.com
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
--
*Ali Hussein*
Twitter: @AliHKassim
Skype: abu-jomo
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/agostal%40gmail.com
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
Liko, I have asked Brian to respond on my behalf. We are a team in this. Regards Ndemo.
Spoke to Harry about this
who are the investors ?
which are their investments ?
Thanks
On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 3:45 PM, Ali Hussein <ali@hussein.me.ke> wrote:
+1 Francis.
Infact my understanding is that Demo Africa is just that. This isn't about judging for competition's sake. The 'judges' are investors and companies looking for new products and services that already have traction or have a huge potential for traction.
The last few years have been good for awareness and we have gained a reputation as an innovation hub. However the pipeline now needs to move towards actualizing these ideas into viable, bankable business models.
Demo Africa seeks to fill part of the gap.
Harry/Brian, hope I haven't put my foot in my mouth...
Ali Hussein
On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 1:51 PM, Francis Hook <francis.hook@gmail.com>wrote:
I am keen to know to what extent innovators will leverage OSS as they make their pitches.
I hope we will not see technology for technology's sake kind of innovations. We've seen some very sexy ideas develop over the years but they do not really solve real problems or are very hard to monetise.
It would also be nice if we could hear of experiences of local developers/innovators in terms of getting funding for their start ups, how their ideas get an audience (and what reactions they get) etc. I gather there is a degree of wariness when it comes to showcasing ideas and the fear that players with big pockets will take it and run with it (because they can afford to) or shoot it down because it could disrupt existing business models (e.g. cross network shared mobile money platforms...).
We've also heard that techies are just that - and have bright ideas but are not good sales people or any good in biz devt. To what extent does DEMO address this issue?
IN SUMMARY
Demo Africa director Harry Hare said the event, the first to be held in Africa, presents a good chance for local innovators to move their businesses to the next level. Over the last five years, innovators at DEMO US have received about Sh297 billion in business capital. Microsoft, which is sponsoring the event together with Nokia and other multinationals, said that the partnership is one of the best activities
On 17 September 2012 00:47, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote: they
have done because it will help accelerate success of entrepreneurs and start-ups in Africa.
http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Top+brains+to+entice+global+investors/...
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at
https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.c...
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect
platform for privacy, do
not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- Francis Hook +254 733 504561
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.com
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
--
*Ali Hussein*
Twitter: @AliHKassim
Skype: abu-jomo
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/agostal%40gmail.com
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
Hi Agosta, Francis, Liko and Ali DEMO is a launch pad for new technologies and startups, its not a competition. The only competitive aspect of DEMO is to get to the DEMO Stage. In the last four months we have engaged with innovators from across the continent with the objective of taking their innovation from just that to real business, that is sustainable and that will take them to the next level. Different innovators need/require different inputs to take them to the next level, some need capitalization others are looking for go to market opportunities, publicity while other are just looking for strategic partnerships. So it not correct to assume that very startup is looking for investment in money terms. What DEMO provides is the push for a product launch. For a startup to launch at DEMO you must have a new, innovative product that solves a real problem. This partly answers Francis' question. DEMO does not look at innovation for innovation's sake, there has to be a real problem that innovation is solving and a business model to boot. Ability to scale is also a big consideration given that investors will be putting money and expect a return on their investment. On investors, our work on this space has shown us that there is mis-match of expectations. Local developers and innovators are looking for investors from Silicon Valley, while investors in Sillicon Valley have no visibility of the local investment opportunity. To this we have been engaging local investors through the DEMO Africa Roundtable Workshops and the interest can only be described as amazing. This is a group that has in the past been ignored yet they have the capacity to invest and take most of the startups to the next level, but only if the engagement makes sense to them. Who are the investors? We are engaging different players – both local and international. At the Nairobi Investor Meeting which we had investors who are managing funds in excess of $11m and have invested in companies like Cellulant, Software Technologies and Kencall; in Nigeria end of this week we have a plethora of investors who are very active in the tech space and ditto for South Africa at the Demo Investors roundtable which happens there in a couple of weeks. We are engaging all these investors aswell as those who are stilltied up with legacy investments (property) so that we can give the startups with the highest potential of success that extra push to succeed. Hope you will be there to see Afric's best! cell: +254715964281 On Sep 17, 2012 4:24 PM, "Agosta Liko" <agostal@gmail.com> wrote:
Spoke to Harry about this
who are the investors ?
which are their investments ?
Thanks
On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 3:45 PM, Ali Hussein <ali@hussein.me.ke> wrote:
+1 Francis.
Infact my understanding is that Demo Africa is just that. This isn't about judging for competition's sake. The 'judges' are investors and companies looking for new products and services that already have traction or have a huge potential for traction.
The last few years have been good for awareness and we have gained a reputation as an innovation hub. However the pipeline now needs to move towards actualizing these ideas into viable, bankable business models.
Demo Africa seeks to fill part of the gap.
Harry/Brian, hope I haven't put my foot in my mouth...
Ali Hussein
On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 1:51 PM, Francis Hook <francis.hook@gmail.com>wrote:
I am keen to know to what extent innovators will leverage OSS as they make their pitches.
I hope we will not see technology for technology's sake kind of innovations. We've seen some very sexy ideas develop over the years but they do not really solve real problems or are very hard to monetise.
It would also be nice if we could hear of experiences of local developers/innovators in terms of getting funding for their start ups, how their ideas get an audience (and what reactions they get) etc. I gather there is a degree of wariness when it comes to showcasing ideas and the fear that players with big pockets will take it and run with it (because they can afford to) or shoot it down because it could disrupt existing business models (e.g. cross network shared mobile money platforms...).
We've also heard that techies are just that - and have bright ideas but are not good sales people or any good in biz devt. To what extent does DEMO address this issue?
On 17 September 2012 00:47, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote:
IN SUMMARY
Demo Africa director Harry Hare said the event, the first to be held in Africa, presents a good chance for local innovators to move their businesses to the next level. Over the last five years, innovators at DEMO US have received about Sh297 billion in business capital. Microsoft, which is sponsoring the event together with Nokia and other multinationals, said that the partnership is one of the best activities they have done because it will help accelerate success of entrepreneurs and start-ups in Africa.
http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Top+brains+to+entice+global+investors/...
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at
https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.c...
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
platform for
people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- Francis Hook +254 733 504561
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.com
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
--
*Ali Hussein*
Twitter: @AliHKassim
Skype: abu-jomo
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/agostal%40gmail.com
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/blongwe%40gmail.com
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
Hi Brian and all Thanks for elucidating. 1 - Would it be possible to know what yardstick is being used to measure innovation/sustainability/usability/etc? What metrics are being used to determine how an idea solves a problem (and whether it can do so in more than one geography), what metrics to assess its impact or ability to bring about change? If there is a panel of judges, who does it comprise and what measures are there to make panel adjudication less subjective? 2 - One of my initial questions related to OSS - I feel in Africa this may merit some discussion since OSS is a tool for innovation that allows start ups to start beating a path on the supply side and on the demand side, allows those with low budgets to adopt ICT. If I may draw a few examples from demo.com, relating to other launches fully or partially based on OSS elements: http://www.demo.com/ehome/custom/29414/body.php?attendeeid=2477679 http://www.demo.com/ehome/custom/29414/body.php?attendeeid=2477596 http://www.demo.com/ehome/custom/29414/body.php?attendeeid=2477865 http://www.demo.com/ehome/custom/29414/body.php?attendeeid=3402796 (this one trying to go head to head with Oracle in terms of Big Data analytics/BI). Further, locally we recently heard the govt planned to remove duty on software and there was a mixed response to this - one side stated that it would stunt local players and innovation, since locally developed SW would then be no longer competitive (recall how we killed our textile industry by allowing second hand clothes in the market?) 3 - Africa. One continent. Diverse cultures. One size does not fit all. Its discrete. Its not homogeneous. And this is Demo Africa. It should address needs peculiar to the thinking in Africa and its own problems. Cases in point - Mpesa was a hit in Kenya but a flop in South Africa. Mpesa apparently handled more money in Kenya than Western Union did worldwide (or so I hear). Mpesa did not need Visa/mastercard/etc to acquire it, though its apparently owned by Vodafone. Mxit (and IM app) is a hit in RSA but has tepid reception elsewhere. So, what are the metrics for Africa bearing in mind investors may either want to augment their offerings for a particular market segment In Africa or may want to go global with it? 4 - Can we expect any of the top 50 global ICT companies to drop in at Demo Africa? We've seen some activity getting innovators in Africa to make their pitches. But has anyone made pitches to Google, MSFT, IBM, HP, Cisco, etc etc to come to Africa and listen to what our innovators have to say? If I was among the finalists, I'd be wondering who will be in the room. I'd also be wondering if possible investors would rather not go to Demo Brazil. 5 - Most prior discussions seem to be rooted on start ups and entrepreneurs with shallow pockets and grand ideas - yet I gather Demo is also a launch platform for the big guys mentioned in #4 above. Can we expect any of the big guys to launch anything meant for Africa? Also, what about the top African grown ICT companies - any participation we can expect from them? Thanks F On 17 September 2012 20:43, Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Agosta,
Francis, Liko and Ali
DEMO is a launch pad for new technologies and startups, its not a competition. The only competitive aspect of DEMO is to get to the DEMO Stage. In the last four months we have engaged with innovators from across the continent with the objective of taking their innovation from just that to real business, that is sustainable and that will take them to the next level. Different innovators need/require different inputs to take them to the next level, some need capitalization others are looking for go to market opportunities, publicity while other are just looking for strategic partnerships. So it not correct to assume that very startup is looking for investment in money terms.
What DEMO provides is the push for a product launch. For a startup to launch at DEMO you must have a new, innovative product that solves a real problem. This partly answers Francis' question. DEMO does not look at innovation for innovation's sake, there has to be a real problem that innovation is solving and a business model to boot.
Ability to scale is also a big consideration given that investors will be putting money and expect a return on their investment. On investors, our work on this space has shown us that there is mis-match of expectations. Local developers and innovators are looking for investors from Silicon Valley, while investors in Sillicon Valley have no visibility of the local investment opportunity. To this we have been engaging local investors through the DEMO Africa Roundtable Workshops and the interest can only be described as amazing. This is a group that has in the past been ignored yet they have the capacity to invest and take most of the startups to the next level, but only if the engagement makes sense to them.
Who are the investors? We are engaging different players – both local and international. At the Nairobi Investor Meeting which we had investors who are managing funds in excess of $11m and have invested in companies like Cellulant, Software Technologies and Kencall; in Nigeria end of this week we have a plethora of investors who are very active in the tech space and ditto for South Africa at the Demo Investors roundtable which happens there in a couple of weeks.
We are engaging all these investors aswell as those who are stilltied up with legacy investments (property) so that we can give the startups with the highest potential of success that extra push to succeed.
Hope you will be there to see Afric's best!
cell: +254715964281
On Sep 17, 2012 4:24 PM, "Agosta Liko" <agostal@gmail.com> wrote:
Spoke to Harry about this
who are the investors ?
which are their investments ?
Thanks
On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 3:45 PM, Ali Hussein <ali@hussein.me.ke> wrote:
+1 Francis.
Infact my understanding is that Demo Africa is just that. This isn't about judging for competition's sake. The 'judges' are investors and companies looking for new products and services that already have traction or have a huge potential for traction.
The last few years have been good for awareness and we have gained a reputation as an innovation hub. However the pipeline now needs to move towards actualizing these ideas into viable, bankable business models.
Demo Africa seeks to fill part of the gap.
Harry/Brian, hope I haven't put my foot in my mouth...
Ali Hussein
On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 1:51 PM, Francis Hook <francis.hook@gmail.com> wrote:
I am keen to know to what extent innovators will leverage OSS as they make their pitches.
I hope we will not see technology for technology's sake kind of innovations. We've seen some very sexy ideas develop over the years but they do not really solve real problems or are very hard to monetise.
It would also be nice if we could hear of experiences of local developers/innovators in terms of getting funding for their start ups, how their ideas get an audience (and what reactions they get) etc. I gather there is a degree of wariness when it comes to showcasing ideas and the fear that players with big pockets will take it and run with it (because they can afford to) or shoot it down because it could disrupt existing business models (e.g. cross network shared mobile money platforms...).
We've also heard that techies are just that - and have bright ideas but are not good sales people or any good in biz devt. To what extent does DEMO address this issue?
On 17 September 2012 00:47, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote:
IN SUMMARY
Demo Africa director Harry Hare said the event, the first to be held in Africa, presents a good chance for local innovators to move their businesses to the next level. Over the last five years, innovators at DEMO US have received about Sh297 billion in business capital. Microsoft, which is sponsoring the event together with Nokia and other multinationals, said that the partnership is one of the best activities they have done because it will help accelerate success of entrepreneurs and start-ups in Africa.
http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Top+brains+to+entice+global+investors/...
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at
https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.c...
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- Francis Hook +254 733 504561
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.com
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
--
Ali Hussein
Twitter: @AliHKassim
Skype: abu-jomo
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/agostal%40gmail.com
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/blongwe%40gmail.com
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
_______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.c...
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
-- Francis Hook +254 733 504561
participants (6)
-
Agosta Liko
-
Ali Hussein
-
bitange@jambo.co.ke
-
Brian Munyao Longwe
-
Francis Hook
-
Grace Githaiga