As part of our SusTech4Africa program, you can participate in this inspiring journey in one of our target countries (Uganda, Rwanda, Senegal and Benin):
- Visit to the entrepreneurs: immersion in the local business context
- Co-coaching of an African entrepreneur during the 3-day training given by our academic partners (Thomas More and ICHEC)
- Cultural immersion: visit, eco-tourism
You play the role of coach and help the entrepreneur to analyse his business plan and present it in the form of a pitch at the final evening.
OVO aims to support and promote sustainable entrepreneurship in Africa through the Sustainable Technology Acceleration Programme for Africa (SusTech4Africa). SusTech4Africa helps start-ups, scale-ups and entrepreneurs to develop their project into a full-fledged business plan.
After a thorough selection process, 10 to 15 entrepreneurs have the opportunity to present and work on their business plan with trainers and a team of Belgian and local volunteer coaches who come for the occasion.
During the Boostcamp, participants have the opportunity to strengthen their technical and managerial skills.
At the end of the Boostcamp, each participating company receives individual online coaching. The aim of the coaching sessions is for each project to develop a financial plan and a business plan. OVO finances all projects that are profitable and meet minimum requirements. OVO funding is issued in the form of a loan to be repaid over 1 to 5 years. This funding, which varies between €5,000 and €50,000, is provided by some 40 business angels and the OVO Accelerator Fund.
Standard programme of a SusTech4Africa:
✔ Sunday
Flight to Africa
✔ Monday and Tuesday
Inspiration Tour: visits to selected entrepreneurs
✔ Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Boostcamp: 2 teacher-researchers from ICHEC or Thomas More offer a training based on different interactive tools including the Business Model Canvas. In the working sessions, the entrepreneurs are accompanied in their reflection by Belgian and Beninese coaches
✔ Saturday
Leisure/ Sightseeing.
Pitch Time: entrepreneurs present their business project in the form of a pitch in front of a larger audience
✔ Sunday
Return to Brussels
Are you also inspired by sustainability and entrepreneurship? Would you like to contribute to a better international cooperation between Belgium and Africa? We are still looking for interested entrepreneurs who want to join in as a volunteer/coach.
The next trips?
- Senegal in early September 2023 (TBC)
- Uganda from 26 November to 2 December 2023
Would you like to accompany, do you have any questions? Contact
