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 get lots of questions from young, aspiring entrepreneurs and we thought it might be useful to answer them on a #faqfriday - first up...
Q: How do I know if my business idea is worth pursuing?
A: The simple truth is that you don’t start by asking whether the idea is “good.” You start by asking whether the problem is real.
A good exercise you can use for this is to ask if you can you name the exact person who has the problem? The answer shouldn't be “farmers” or “students.” It should be a real individual. Ideally one that you've spoken to.
After that you can get a sense of if this is something that costs them time, money, or stress? The general idea is that if it doesn’t hurt, they won’t pay to fix it.
Or if they currently solve it another way, then your job is to be faster / cheaper / easier / more reliable.
Got more questions - have a look at www.kosmosinnovationcenter.com and maybe there's a scheme that can help to support you.
Really struck by this quotation from Yass' Afro founder Mama Yacine Cisse:
"Passion will drive you, but discipline will keep you moving."
Isn't that brilliant? Such a good word of encouragement for entrepreneurs, who were born with the passion, but inevitably sometimes that falters. So, ultimately, it's important to know that it's the discipline that will get you to the finish line. Keep going, we see you.
Read more of Mama's story here - kosmosinnovationcenter.com/yassafro/
