Does Coffee Drive Collaboration? An Acumen East Africa Breakfast

Last week, the Acumen Fund East Africa office invited its Advisory Committee and investees for breakfast (pictured at left). The group’s size itself told of the significant growth Acumen Fund has experienced in East Africa over the last year – with 8 entrepreneurs from 7 portfolio companies in attendance.

The conversation began with investees discussing shared challenges and the solutions/innovations they’re bringing to market. There was a powerful energy and momentum at the table, with each entrepreneur doing what they do best: seeking opportunity. Ideas and connections were fast and frequent: selling nutritional porridge at public toilets, liking micro-health insurance schemes to low-cost health care providers, using microfinance institutions to help organize farmers for pharmaceutical production…you get the idea.

It was exciting to watch these entrepreneurs use a simple platform to connect, share and explore collaborative opportunities. There was a clear hunger for such a forum on behalf of the investees, and when we had to call the event to a close, several members asked to make such meetings a regular occurrence.

There are lessons being learned every day in each of these ventures and there are real opportunities to for investees to work together in serving the base of the pyramid. Over the coming year, the Acumen Fund East Africa office looks forward to facilitating more of these conversations and learning from the commonalities, differences, and connections between this inspiring group of entrepreneurs.