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Over the past year, ten African entrepreneurs hailing from five startups across the continent have been welcomed into the esteemed global Endeavor network. This strategic inclusion provides them access to a range of vital support services aimed at facilitating the expansion of their businesses.
The Endeavor initiative’s mission is to spur sustainable economic growth by identifying, mentoring, and expediting the development of exceptional high-impact entrepreneurs worldwide. In recent years, a considerable number of African entrepreneurs have been integrated into the Endeavor network, showcasing the initiative’s commitment to nurturing global entrepreneurial talent.
Disrupt Africa’s latest report on Endeavor dates back to May 2022, highlighting the acceptance of Nigerian startup Field Intelligence into the network during the 26th Virtual International Selection Panel (vISP). Since then, eleven additional vISPs have taken place, resulting in the inclusion of ten entrepreneurs from five African startups within the Endeavor network.
Currently, Endeavor provides support to a substantial network of 2,449 entrepreneurs who lead 1,512 companies spanning across 42 markets worldwide.
Notable vISPs in recent months have welcomed entrepreneurs from various African startups into the Endeavor fold. In the 28th vISP held in June 2022, Somto Ifezue, Odunayo Eweniyi, and Joshua Chibueze of Nigerian fintech startup PiggyVest were inducted. The 34th vISP in February of the current year saw Ahmed Wadi of Egyptian fintech startup Money Fellows join the network.
During the 35th vISP in March, Timothy Nuy and Tonderai Mutesva of South African fintech company Fin secured their place, while the 36th vISP embraced Sirak Mussie of Kenyan payment gateway Flocash.
Concluding these notable additions, the 37th vISP in the preceding month selected Nigerian entrepreneurs Obi Emetarom, Emeka Emetarom, and Wale Onawunmi to become part of the Endeavor network. This trio forms the core of Appzone, a startup that bifurcated its legacy banking-as-a-service business, Qore, and decentralized payments network, Zone, into separate entities in November of the previous year.
Wale Onawunmi, co-founder and CTO at Zone, expressed his excitement, stating, “We’re thrilled to be part of this prestigious global community. Entrepreneurship thrives on collaboration and shared learning, and Endeavor embodies this spirit. We look forward to leveraging this unique ecosystem of entrepreneurs, partners, and investors, driving our technical prowess to further levels of innovation and efficiency in the payment sector.”
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