Scott Anderson

Weekly Roundup: Brewing Inspiration (and Respect)

“We as a new generation of African entrepreneurs believe that we can bring quality products to the global market. We believe we have what the consumer in the North Atlantic market is looking for in coffee; we believe we have the capacity to design the packaging to make it attractive; we believe. . . .”

That’s Andrew Rugasira, chief executive of Good African Coffee, several years ago in a pitch to a potential British buyer as recounted last weekend by the New York Times. It was a sales pitch that ultimately proved unsuccessful, one of many unsuccessful pitches chronicled in the spread Can Coffee Kick-Start an Economy?

The Ugandan entrepreneur, now sources from 12,000 growers, wasn’t content to merely sell coffee as a middleman to massive retailers. Instead, he forged his own company and brand, competing directly with the Starbucks and Wholefoods on store shelves. His believe in his company and his model is paying off, as Good African Coffee is now sold in the UK and soon in the U.S.

And although the company receives some NGO funding, on its website, Good African Coffee argues the efficiency of its business model.

Interesting that in the same week we had a piece in FastCompany’s CoExist section titled Why Designers Need to Stop Feeling Sorry For Africa, by Jens Martin and Rasmus Bech Hansen. Money quote:

“But the road to hell may well be paved with good intentions. There clearly is a bottom-of-the-pyramid market, but linking it to “aid culture”–a non-market-driven-culture–detracts from the entrepreneurial opportunity.”

They later add: “we suggest you engage Africans with the same entrepreneurial spirit that you would approach any other great opportunity.”

Both articles present arguments against paternalistic tendencies of linking aid to trade, especially given Africa’s explosive growth, particularly in sub Saharan states. For African entrepreneurs who have been making this case for years, this mainstream acknowledgement may have been a long time in coming, but might go far in finally changing attitudes.

Echoing Green Fellowship Finalists

A quick congratulations to the 38 finalists in the 2012 Echoing Green Fellowships. Talk about stiff competition competition, this cohort represents about 1 percent of the total number of 3,508 applications. Of the group of aspirants, about 40 percent plan to launch for-profit enterprises and 50 percent are exploring nonprofits. Most organizations list poverty alleviation as their focus. Nearing its 25th year, EG will award about anywhere from 15-20 fellowships in early June. The selected fellows will receive up to $90,000 in funding to launch new organizations, access to Echoing Green’s network, leadership development opportunities; and one-to-one support and counseling.The full list is here.

In Case You Missed It … This Week on NextBillion

NexThought Monday: Before Jumping Into Crowd Funding, Remember There’s No Free Lunch By Drew Tulchin

Five Years Since Launching, Opportunities for the Majority Sees Buy-In for BoP By Scott AndersonWDI

Tools of the Trade: Building a Robust Deal Pipeline of Impact Companies in Emerging Economies (Part 1) By Logan YonavjakNew Ventures

At GPF 2012, Business and Philanthropy Mingle ’Toward a New Social Contract’ By Tracy ElsenNew Ventures

Mapping the Agriculture Sector By Amon AndersonAcumen

136 Firms, 19 Countries, GIIRS Releases First Impact Investing Analytics Report By Flory Wilson

Novogratz on Patient Capital Potential in Latin America By Jenny MeloAVINA

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Agriculture, Education
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business development