Top American companies expected in Nairobi for biggest ever meeting in Sub-Saharan Africa
US President Barack Obama advance team inspects Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on July 16, 2015. Major American firms are expected in Nairobi next week as the world gathers to discuss investment opportunities during the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Internet and computer giants Google and Microsoft, beverage manufacturer Coca-Cola, videography specialists GoPro, energy, appliances and water firm General Electric and real estate developers Rendeavour will be part of the huge gathering at the meeting, the first GES in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- A statement from the GES 2015 Committee said the exhibition to be held at the KICC on July 22 to 24 will “showcase Kenya’s entrepreneurial and innovative culture” as well as an occasion to share knowledge on innovation and promotion of entrepreneurship.
- Organisers said some of the representatives from these companies will speak to the more than 3,000 participants about financing start-ups, expanding networks, mentoring entrepreneurs, sourcing capital and opening up trade.
Major American firms are expected in Nairobi next week as the world gathers to discuss investment opportunities during the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.
Internet and computer giants Google and Microsoft, beverage manufacturer Coca-Cola, videography specialists GoPro, energy, appliances and water firm General Electric and real estate developers Rendeavour will be part of the huge gathering at the meeting, the first GES in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Organisers confirmed on Thursday there will be an exhibition two days before the conference starts on Saturday next week.
A statement from the GES 2015 Committee said the exhibition to be held at the KICC on July 22 to 24 will “showcase Kenya’s entrepreneurial and innovative culture” as well as an occasion to share knowledge on innovation and promotion of entrepreneurship.
On Wednesday, Rendeavours announced it would join Coca-Cola, Google and global audit firm Ernst &Young (E&Y) in sponsoring the summit that could provide a good opportunity for local business leaders and entrepreneurs to link up with others from the rest of the world.
An advance programme for the two-day event indicates various sessions for networking, discussions on pitching ideas to financiers, challenge sessions and advice on creativity.
Rendeavour said it will be an adviser to participating African entrepreneurs on financing, attracting capital and dealing with challenges.
This is besides taking part in one of the main sessions dubbed Women+Youth, which will discuss how to position women and youth to take up investments.
The firm operates in Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, DRC and Ghana. It is involved in the 2,500-acre Tatu City real estate project in Nairobi.
“As an American investor in Africa, I’m pleased to see the US Government recognise Africa’s growing middle class and entrepreneurial drive. It’s in that spirit that we are proud to be official sponsors of the summit,” said Mr Frank Mosier, one of the company’s investors, in a statement.
“African entrepreneurs represented by the summit are the future residents of Tatu City and Rendeavour’s other development projects around the continent,” added Mr Mosier.
Organisers said some of the representatives from these companies will speak to the more than 3,000 participants about financing start-ups, expanding networks, mentoring entrepreneurs, sourcing capital and opening up trade.
“Speakers will include five entrepreneurs from around the world and from various US government programmes, cast members of ABC’s TV series Shark Tank and other organisations,” reads a message posted on the GES 2015 website.
The main American speakers include Shark Tank stars Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran and Daymond John who are renowned investors in the US. Antonio Gracias, founder of Valor Equity Partners, and Julie Hanna, the founder of Kiva, a US organisation that gives small loan.
