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 Center’s 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.
We spoke to Farmasyst Ghana to learn more about their business and what challenges start-ups in #ghana are facing. #entrepreneurlife #ghana #agriculture
Hit play on the video for a #FridayFlashback to our chat with Mauritania's Yenje Abdellahi from Elite Zone. They have been teaching languages and offering translation services since 2019. He has some great advice for anyone considering starting their own business #Entrepreneurship #Mauritania #businesstips #startups
🚨 3 Mistakes Every Start-Up Makes 🚨
If you're in the process of launching a business, you need to accept that mistakes will happen. We thought we'd ask some of our Kosmos Innovation Center graduates and experts for the mistakes they often see, so at least you can avoid these ones!
👉 Mistake 1: Solving a problem no one has
"One of the biggest mistakes is starting a business with an idea for a product or solution that you think people will want, that doesn't solve a market need," says Anna Sarr, co-ordinator for Kosmos Innovation Center Senegal. The result? A solution you've worked hard on with no market.
LESSON: Always start with the problem, not with the product.
👉 Mistake 2: Forgetting to go lean
"There’s a streotype that a start-up has to look like a traditional company—think large offices, multiple employees, and fancy gadgets. The truth is, that many successful start-ups begin in a room, or even a garage," says Yenje Abdellahi, founder of Elite Zone, from the Mauritanian Kosmos Innovation Center.
LESSON: Lean is the key. Begin small. Test quickly. Build only what customers prove they need.
👉 Mistake 3: Pick your partners wisely
"Partnering with friends or family can be a tempting idea, but it often leads to complications. When emotions come into play, it can cloud judgment and disrupt the working dynamic," Yenji Abdellahi explains.
LESSON: You may love your brother or your best friend, but forging a successful working relationship is completely different - think before you commit!
Drop the biggest lesson you've learned in the comments 👇
#Startups #KosmosInnovationCenter #Entrepreneurship #LeanStartup #AfricaStartups #BusinessTips