EdTech East Africa’s Post

Leadership is not a solo journey. Last week, I attended Startup Boston Week at Suffolk University, an event created by the startup community in 2016 to celebrate innovation. Over five days, 125 speakers shared candid stories of success, failure, and resilience. One story that resonated deeply with me was from an entrepreneur who navigated nearly a decade in business, weathering the pandemic’s impact on brick-and-mortar operations. Her open-source mindset—sharing knowledge instead of guarding it—highlighted the importance of collective growth. While competition spurs innovation, collaboration fuels success. Coming from the nonprofit sector, this lesson hit home. In both startups and nonprofits, mentorship and openness are essential for building resilient organizations. Leadership is about inspiring those around you, creating a ripple effect of shared success that benefits everyone. As fundraisers compete for dollars, every donor is an investor, a partner in social entrepreneurship. As I later reflected on these lessons during a sunset walk by Concord’s North Bridge, I was reminded of the transformative power of openness and shared purpose. Just as Suffolk University’s location along the Freedom Trail brings to mind historic collaboration, today’s leaders—whether in business or social sectors—are crossing new bridges of collaboration, innovation, and shared success. What’s a valuable lesson from a mentor or leader that has shaped your path? #Leadership #Collaboration #Mentorship #StartupBostonWeek #NonprofitLeadership #CollectiveGrowth

HBR: Khan Academy, the online global education nonprofit, launched in 2006 when founder Sal Khan created a few videos to help his cousin with her math homework. After a decade of growth brought Khan Academy’s user base to more than 15 million monthly visitors, Khan knew he needed expert help to formulate and lead a strategy for the organization’s future growth. Harvard Business School professor Bill Sahlman studied the company’s growth strategy, and wrote a business case study about it. He explains why it’s so important to build a well-balanced leadership team as part of your growth strategy. He also breaks down how to create processes for everything from budgeting to giving feedback. https://lnkd.in/dP7DhuB9 #edtech #startup #innovation #leadership

Call for Applications: African Funding Readiness Fellowship 2025 by Oak Nation Entrepreneurial Foundation Category: Entrepreneurs Fellowship Training Benefits 1. Funding Readiness Training: This is a 6-month intensive training designed to equip founders and entrepreneurs with fundamental entrepreneurship training e.g. business leadership, strategy and operationalization. Founders will learn how to apply winning strategies to grow their businesses, develop funding plans, etc. 2. Mentorship: AFRF will provide one-on-one mentorship to fellows to complement the learning modules from the workshop. Mentors will provide strategic guidance and assist fellows in navigating the intricacies of building a successful business. 3. Access to Funding: They will host a demo day and provide an opportunity for fellows to pitch to investors. We will also partner with local lending institutions to provide low-interest loans to selected fellows. Application Link: https://lnkd.in/gMVy6Hrt Deadline: 16th of December 2024 #scholarshipbob #ScholarshipOpportunities #scholarships #scholarship #training #fellowship

On July 10th, 2023, we marked a significant milestone – the 10th anniversary of our journey at Jumpstart Academy Africa. Over the past decade, we've transformed the educational landscape by focusing on leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship, preparing young minds to face global challenges with confidence and creativity. 📚  From humble beginnings to impactful achievements, every step has been fueled by our commitment to creating educational opportunities that inspire young minds to rise above challenges and excel. Our programs have empowered thousands, breaking barriers and forging paths to success in various fields. 🔍  Looking Back to Leap Forward: * 10 Years Ago: We started with a vision to revolutionize education in Africa. * Today: We've expanded our reach, impacting countless lives through innovative educational programs and community projects. * Tomorrow: With your support, we aim to go even further. 💡 Join the Movement: We invite you to become part of this transformative journey. Whether you’re an educator, a student, a professional, or simply someone who believes in the power of education, there’s a place for you in our community. 🤝  How You Can Help: * Volunteer: Share your skills and knowledge with our students. * Donate: Every contribution helps us expand and enhance our programs. * Spread the Word: Help us reach more people by sharing our story and the stories of those we've helped. 🚀  The Future is Bright: With a decade of experiences, challenges, and victories behind us, we are more determined than ever to continue our mission. Together, we can shape a future where every young leader has the tools they need to succeed. ✨  Thank You: To everyone who has been part of our journey, thank you. Your support, dedication, and belief in our mission have been indispensable. Here’s to many more years of innovation, leadership, and success! 🔗 Get Involved Today: Email us at jumpstartacademyafrica@gmail.com 📣  Let’s make the next decade even more impactful! Share this post, tag a friend, and join us in transforming education across Africa and beyond. 💬  We Want to Hear from You: What are your dreams for the future of education? Share your thoughts and let's discuss how we can turn these visions into reality together. #jumpstartacademyafrica #EducationRevolution #10yearsstrong #leadershipdevelopment #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurialleadership #InnovationInAction #InnovationInEducation #FutureLeaders

Embracing the Future: A Proud Graduate of the Economic Evolution Accelerator I am thrilled to announce that I am among the first cohort of graduating founders from the Economic Evolution Accelerator, an initiative driven by the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce. This unique workshop-driven program has been a transformative journey, focusing on critical areas such as mentorship, training, leadership mindset, and technology. Unlike many other accelerator programs that concentrate on a specific sector like technology, the Economic Evolution Accelerator's holistic approach aims to equip Black-owned businesses with the education and resources necessary to thrive, sustain, and secure funding. This broad focus is especially empowering, enabling entrepreneurs to transcend industry boundaries and scale their ventures effectively. The Economic Evolution Accelerator is more than a program; it’s a catalyst for growth and sustainability. By participating, I have unlocked access to invaluable resources and gained the knowledge and skills needed to propel my business, Read With Carylee, to new heights. Our focus has sharpened, and our commitment to serving the community as a non-profit has never been stronger. Being a part of this first cohort has already enhanced the ways in which we operate. The mentorship and training provided have allowed us to refine our strategies, ensuring that we can effectively fulfill our mission of promoting literacy and a love for reading among children. This experience has not only equipped us with practical tools but also instilled a leadership mindset essential for long-term success. As we celebrate this milestone, I am filled with gratitude for the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce and the incredible mentors and peers who have been part of this journey. Together, we are fostering an environment where Black-owned businesses can flourish, contributing to a more inclusive and dynamic economic landscape. The Economic Evolution Accelerator is a beacon of opportunity and support. For any Black entrepreneur seeking to grow their business, this program offers a comprehensive pathway to success. I am excited to continue leveraging the insights and connections gained from this experience as we navigate the future, ready to face challenges and seize opportunities with renewed confidence and capability. #EconomicEvolutionAccelerator #BlackOwnedBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Mentorship #Leadership #BusinessDevelopment #ReadWithCarylee #NonProfit #CommunityService Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce LeAnn White Michael Anthony SLVR Financial Lawrence K Davies Jr Detoya Richburg Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt Damion Moss Marlene Patton Erinn Roth Hello Wellness Reshaunda Wilburn https://lnkd.in/ehw8-Ky2

🚀 Bring Launchpad to Your Campus Now! 🚀 Not sure if it's worth it? 🤔 Check out this article to see how a student-led movement for innovation and collaboration can transform your campus: 🌟 https://lnkd.in/gXyRQf2e

Benefits of the African Funding Readiness Fellowship for Small Business Owners - Funding Readiness Training: This is a 6-month intensive training designed to equip founders and entrepreneurs with fundamental entrepreneurship training e.g. business leadership, strategy and operationalization. Founders will learn how to apply winning strategies to grow their businesses, develop funding plans, etc. - Mentorship: AFRF will provide one-on-one mentorship to fellows to complement the learning modules from the workshop. Mentors will provide strategic guidance and assist fellows in navigating the intricacies of building a successful business. - Access to Funding: They will host a demo day and provide an opportunity for fellows to pitch to investors. We will also partner with local lending institutions to provide low-interest loans to selected fellows. Link to apply is on our website (cedherglobal.com), you can click the link in bio to access it faster. Don’t forget to read all instructions carefully… #women #community #womencommunity #opportunities #mentorship #womenopportunities #globalwomen #globalopportunities #womeninbusiness #womeneducation #womeninitiative .. … … Women, women opportunities, global, global woman, global opportunities, opportunities, job, grants, community, women community, career woman, career development, academic, women success, women entrepreneurs, women in business

For me, LinkedIn is like that end-of-term high school assembly, or end of year valedictory ceremony where all the top pupils are given their awards and accolades in front of the entire school. Our collective upbringing conditions us to expect these prize giving ceremonies as a natural step, or height, that we can aim for. The sad reality is that life, after conventional schooling, doesn't contain such periodic award ceremonies to acknowledge the efforts and accomplishments that you have achieved over the past period. Thankfully, life also doesn't single you out for the "near-misses" and "failings" of your professional career. If the highest grades in class, highest points scored on the playing field, and the highest plaudits on the stage were the determinant factors to one's successes, at what pillar or mast would we hang our banners of achievement in our adulthood? Would it be our professional careers? Our ongoing marriages? Our roles as fathers and mothers? Our roles in our communities? The significant wealth that we have attained? Or the would it be the stability in our respective mental health? Whatever the answer may be for you, just remember one thing; how you view yourself as an adult or professional, is not based on any sanctimonious occasion that honours or meritocrasises your achievements. Only you can be the judge of your contributions to the world. We all carry deep pain from our disappointments and underachievement. Yet, we also carry the personal victories and unspoken valor that our unique stories whisper in our own standing. Never let a personal goal achieved, or the defeat of a personal demon, go unnoticed. Only you, can tell your life story. Only you, can blow the horns, and beat the drums of your victories! You are worthy! Your story is worthy! Share it boldly with the world, so that we can grow from the courage of your Conquest! #entrepreneurship #vc #fintech #privateequity #africa #africavc #venturecapital #africanunicorn #leadership #growth

Our Group CEO, Chinny Okoye recently visited the Ugwumba Leadership Center, where she had the pleasure of meeting the founder, Hon. Ugwumba Uche Nwosu . Their discussion focused on building impactful partnerships with the Ugwumba Foundation to advance youth empowerment and entrepreneurship across Africa. A key part of their conversation was the highly anticipated Ugwumba Enterprise Challenge taking place this December. Scheduled for December 7th, 2024, this idea-pitching and grant competition is a unique platform designed to help young Africans transform their ideas, skills, and passions into scalable business ventures or social enterprises. By challenging the creativity and audacity of young people, the competition fosters a generation of resilient entrepreneurs ready to lead Africa’s economic transformation. At Eastside Ventures, we are inspired by initiatives like this that aligns with our mission to empower communities and create sustainable growth. We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the Ugwumba Leadership Center.

🌍From Babson to Costa Rica: A Virtual Mentorship Journey in Entrepreneurship What an incredible journey mentoring two bright students through Babson's Youth Impact Lab entrepreneurship program! 📚💡 This experience was a powerful reminder that true mentorship is about so much more than just teaching—it's about listening, learning, and growing together. 🤝 Working with these amazing juniors from Lincoln School taught me invaluable lessons: Key Highlights: Worked with 2 high school students from Lincoln School Participated in bi-weekly 90-minute virtual mentorship sessions Guided students in developing entrepreneurial leadership skills 🌟 Key Learnings from This Experience:  1️⃣ The critical importance of a structured meeting agenda 📅 2️⃣ Consistent communication is key 🗣️ 3️⃣ Leveraging past experiences can unlock incredible potential 🔑 🚀 What I Discovered: Even as a mentor, I found myself learning so much from these junior entrepreneurs. This experience reinforced that true mentorship is a two-way street of growth and discovery. 👥 What Made This Special: It was inspiring to see Babson's entrepreneurial spirit transcending borders and empowering students internationally. 🌐 This program isn't just about transferring knowledge; it's about creating connections, sparking creativity, and nurturing the next generation of global leaders. Grateful to Beth Goldstein, MBA, EdD, Babson College, Lincoln School, and the incredible students who continue to inspire and challenge me! #Entrepreneurship #InternationalEducation #Mentorship #BabsonCollege #YouthImpactLab