In February 2024, Benin hosted the third edition of our Inspiration Tour as part of SusTech4Africa, a program, developed by Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs (OVO), aimed at encouraging African scale-ups and entrepreneurs to adopt a sustainable approach.
With Sustainable Technology for Africa - SusTech4Africa for short - OVO stimulates sustainable entrepreneurship in Africa and helps selected projects optimize their business models and make them more sustainable.
Who was part of the adventure?
Beninese entrepreneurs, Beninese, Belgian and European Coaches, students from UCL and ICHEC to provide training.
We visited the entrepreneurs in their businesses, met their teams, visited their facilities.
The cultural immersion was also very present! The visit by canoe to the village of Ganvié was particularly a highlight.
During the Boostcamp, participants have the opportunity to strengthen their technical and managerial skills, on the one hand thanks to the training of teacher-researchers but also thanks to the "entrepreneur-business coaches-student" groups trained. Indeed, after a theoretical presentation focused on the Business Model Canvas, each group took the time to analyze its practical application.
On the last day, each entrepreneur pitched their project in 5 minutes in front of a larger audience. The jury chaired by the Belgian ambassador to Benin offered the first prize, and the public also awarded their prize. At stake? Recognition for the work accomplished during these 3 days of intensive Boostcamp.
At the end of the Boostcamp, each participating company now benefits from individual online support. The objective of the coaching sessions? Support the entrepreneur in defining his strategy to develop his business, develop a financial plan and analyze the way in which he takes into account the Sustainable Development Goals in his business.