We Inspire
We light a fire in young people… by training them to see opportunities that others miss, giving them the confidence to view themselves as entrepreneurs not employees and job creators instead of job seekers. We do it by delivering a best-in-class leadership and entrepreneurship program.
We Invest
We go all in ⊠by providing a full life-cycle of support to the most promising entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses. We do it through tailored coaching, skills building, expert mentorship, seed funding, and facilitating connections within and across industries.
We Transform
We go big ⊠by positioning young entrepreneurs to tackle tough problems in key sectors and channeling their talent into innovative, private sector-led solutions. We do this through the Kosmos Innovation Centerâs distinctive focus on commercial solutions and local knowledge.
Ghana
Established in 2016, Kosmos Innovation Center Ghana is helping to breathe new life into agriculture, transforming it into an engine of growth and job creation.
Mauritania
Launched in 2018, the Kosmos Innovation Center Mauritania is helping young, entrepreneurial Mauritanians develop the skills to turn ideas into reality.
Senegal
Kosmos Innovation Center Senegal is helping young business leaders in Senegal develop the technical skills needed to grow successful and sustainable businesses.
Kosmos Innovation Center
The Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) invests in young entrepreneurs and small businesses who have big ideas and want to see their country grow.
With the final pitch day for Ra'idat coming up, we want to spotlight the achievements of all #Female #entrepreneurs. This is especially important when you consider the following stats:
- One in three women cite the lack of mentors as a significant hurdle to starting a business.
- Businesses led by women are 63% less likely to obtain venture capital funding than those led by men.
- In 2020, women-led startups received just 2.3% of all venture capital investments.
If you're a woman considering starting your own business, take a look at www.kosmosinnovationcenter.com for inspiration, advice and schemes that can help you make your dream a reality.
Wondering what Kosmos Innovation Center is all about? Watch this and see. Tag in if you can spot yourself in our showcase video. Like or Comment if your business is going to be in the next showcase! đ€
đ Top 5 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Startup Pitch â And How to Avoid Them
Pitching your business is an essential skill for entrepreneurs at any stage. We asked the experts about how you can make sure your pitch will win over an audience - and what you should avoid.
đ§Not Knowing Your Audience â If you donât tailor your message to the people in the room, you risk losing their interest. Imane Ismail Babah, Kosmos Innovation Center Manager in Mauritania, advises: âEven though contestants donât know exactly who they are pitching to, they usually have an idea of the juryâs backgroundsâthis should guide their approach.â
đ„ŽOvercomplicating the Message â Too much technical jargon or complex explanations can confuse investors. Keep it simple. âFailing to communicate the exciting thing about your company or product is a major mistake,â says Anna Sarr, Kosmos Innovation Center co-ordinator in Senegal. Make it easy to understand why your idea matters.
đąIgnoring the Competition â Investors want to see that you understand your market. If you donât mention competitors, it weakens your position. Show why your solution is different and better.
đ¶âđ«ïžFocusing Too Much on the Product â Your pitch isnât just about the productâitâs about the problem it solves. Fatou SoumarĂ© Diop stresses the importance of storytelling: âWhy this project? What personal impact does it have on the founder?â Investors connect with stories, not just specs."
đ„șLack of Confidence or Preparation â A nervous, unpracticed pitch can kill your chances. âPractice until you feel confident and passionate about your idea,â says Imane Ismail Babah. The more you rehearse, the smoother and more natural your delivery will be.
Investors are looking for clarity, conviction, and a solid business case. Know your numbers, anticipate tough questions, and above allâbring energy and enthusiasm to your pitch.
Got questions about how to make yourself pitch perfect? Let us know in the comments and we'll tell you how it should be handled. đ