Tech Café
On November 27, 2024, in partnership with Norrsken East Africa, we hosted the inaugural edition of the Tech Café, a new quarterly event bringing together startup founders and key ecosystem stakeholders. The forum aims to address ecosystem challenges, explore innovative solutions, and spotlight relevant topics shaping the startup landscape.
The first edition marked a significant milestone with the official launch of Startup Tools, a toolkit featuring templates for essential business documents such as Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Articles of Association, and Employment and Consulting Contracts. Designed to support startups in formalizing their business structures and transactions, the toolkit is available for download at startuptools.org/rw.
Isobel Acquah, Executive Director of Certa Foundation, and Raymond Nnenowu of Microsoft engaged in a fireside chat discussing the “trends shaping Africa’s startup ecosystem”. Their discussion underscored the importance of consistency in foundational actions and the courage to push boundaries and build confidence in investors and themselves.
Raymond further urged entrepreneurs to stay grounded, focusing on solving real-world problems rather than chasing fleeting trends. He encouraged founders to document and share their challenges, fostering collective knowledge and potentially unlocking solutions or funding opportunities through collaboration.
A panel discussion, moderated by Kabatsi Arnold, Program Associate at Certa Foundation, featured Doreen Umulisa, Project Lead of the Startup Bluebook Residency Program at Certa Foundation, and Abraham Augustine, Communications and Project Lead at Norrsken East Africa. The panel highlighted the critical role of formalizing business transactions and structures in building investor confidence and ensuring long-term sustainability. They emphasized how Startup Tools could act as a pivotal resource for future-proofing businesses across Africa.
Looking ahead, the quarterly series promises to continue fostering innovation and knowledge sharing among entrepreneurial leaders, ensuring that Rwanda remains a vibrant hub for startup growth and development.