Photo: masteringsap.co.za
Opening the Unreasonable at Sea conference, Simon Carpenter, director of strategic initiatives at SAP, said: “Africa is Disneyland for entrepreneurs”.
Docking in Cape Town this week, the Unreasonable at Sea ship is ocean bound for 100 days with 20 mentors and 11 startups carrying the message that entrepreneurship powered by technology can change the world.
HumanIPO reported yesterday on biomimicking startup Protei winning the pitching session round at the One and Only Hotel at the Waterfront, Cape Town.
Carpenter emphasised SAP, a partner on the Unreasonable at Sea journey, felt privileged “to be in the midst of talent”.
He feels “energy, ingenuity and passion to get things done” is what make entrepreneurs extraordinary.
Referring to the rapid growth of the global population, he pointed to the need of entrepreneurs “to address the challenge”.
According to Carpenter, 500,000 jobs need to be created to fill the gap between people and current available positions for the estimated world population count of 9 billion by 2050.
“The SAP is a testimony to what happens when entrepreneurs apply their minds,” he added.
He also discussed the company’s work in African countries Nigeria and Kenya, informing attendees about the ways in which the company assist locals.
Youth Banner, an incubator for enterprises in Kenya, and other programs assisting women in rural communities in Africa with regards to shea butter agriculture and spaza shop trading are all examples.
Carpenter explained the key element lies in communication and using technology to pull people together in educating nations to become entrepreneurs.
“It is gratifying to see local teams on the global stage,” he commented on their representatives throughout the African continent.
Also running its own global Startup Focus Programme, SAP assists the Unreasonable with technology, business support and design thinking mentorship.
The program, which stops in 13 countries, aims to expose young entrepreneurs to a packed schedule filled with workshops, local business negotiations and interaction with other entrepreneurs, governments and venture capitalists.
