Harambean Oppenheimer Fellowship: A Catalyst for Entrepreneurial Growth in Africa
In partnership with Oppenheimer Generations Philanthropies, the Alliance launched the Harambean Oppenheimer Fellowship, a transformative 12-month program aimed at supporting the founders of innovative African startups. The inaugural cohort, comprising the founders of Fineazy, LÜLA, Airgiftr, and 3DIMO, received mentorship and resources across four key strategic areas: capital, talent, strategic partnerships, and leadership. This support is designed to accelerate the growth of their early-stage ventures.
A Global Journey of Learning and Networking
Kickoff in Rome: Insights from Jonathan Oppenheimer
The fellowship kicked off in Rome during the biennial Harambeans Rome Forum. The Fellows participated in a lunch briefing with Jonathan Oppenheimer and his team at the Vatican, where they had the opportunity to introduce their ventures and gain invaluable advice from a seasoned businessman passionate about Africa’s entrepreneurial future.
Silicon Valley: Engaging with Global Tech Icons
The next stop was Silicon Valley, where the Fellows spent an intense weekend engaging with some of the most influential figures in the tech world. The experience included:
- Fireside Chat with Ben Horowitz: The co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) shared his insights on building successful companies and scaling a venture.
- Lunch with Doug Galen: The CEO of RippleWorks, a foundation that accelerates the growth of ventures improving lives, shared his personal entrepreneurial journey.
- Breakfast with Michael Seibel: The CEO of Y Combinator, the world’s top start-up accelerator, joined the Fellows for a session on navigating the challenges of early-stage startups.
Velani Mboweni, Founder of LÜLA, expressed how transformative these encounters were: “I will apply everything that Ben Horowitz taught me about culture – it changed my thinking fundamentally. Meeting Ben was a dream come true and such an honor.”
Franschhoek, South Africa: The Harambean Global Summit
The Fellows then traveled to the tip of Africa for the Harambean Global Summit in Franschhoek, South Africa. Here, they had the opportunity to connect with prominent investors and mentors, including the Rupert family. The interactions led to an academic case study on LÜLA by Professor Anywhere Sikochi from Harvard Business School, illustrating the profound impact of the fellowship.
The Impact of the Fellowship
With the support of Oppenheimer Generations Philanthropies, the Harambean Oppenheimer Fellows achieved impressive milestones during the program:
- Raising Over $2M: Collectively, the Fellows raised over $2 million to fuel the growth of their ventures.
- Revenue Growth: The Fellows increased their revenues by over 50% through strategic partnerships and have a pipeline that could boost revenues by over 100% post-COVID-19.
- Talent Acquisition: Each venture successfully recruited an average of five top talents, enabling them to scale operations.
- Learning from Experts: Over 100 hours were dedicated to mentorship, with the Fellows interacting with global experts, serial entrepreneurs, and investors. These learning experiences equipped them to navigate the complexities of the evolving economic landscape.
Reflections from Key Stakeholders
Okendo Lewis-Gayle, Founder and Chairman of Harambeans, shared his perspective: “Despite COVID-19 and the economic challenges faced globally, it was extremely rewarding to see the Fellows make significant progress towards their objectives.”
Jonathan Oppenheimer, Executive Chairman of Oppenheimer Generations, echoed this sentiment: “We need thousands of Harambeans to tackle the immense challenges Africa faces. Our partnership with Harambe provides a platform to help these extraordinary entrepreneurs drive change not only in Africa but globally.”
Meet the Inaugural Cohort of Harambean Oppenheimer Fellows
Monique Baars H’19, Founder of Fineazy
Monique, from South Africa, is the founder of Fineazy, a company focused on improving financial literacy in Africa. With one of the lowest financial literacy rates in the world, Fineazy provides tailored content, local storytelling, personalized learning journeys, and an AI-powered chatbot. This simple yet powerful solution integrates seamlessly with everyday communication platforms like SMS, Messenger, and WhatsApp.
Velani Mboweni H’18, Founder of LÜLA
Velani, also from South Africa, founded LÜLA with the goal of improving the commuting experience. LÜLA partners with verified third-party shuttle operators to optimize passenger pickups and offers a commuter app for real-time ride tracking, payment, and mobile pass check-ins.
Waleed Hatim H’19, Co-Founder of Airgiftr
Waleed, from Egypt, co-founded Airgiftr, an automated matching marketplace connecting consumers in emerging markets with travelers who act as personal global shoppers. Airgiftr enables Egyptians to access goods in a cost-effective way by facilitating secure, low-cost shopping services from travelers returning to their home countries.
Nneile Nkholise H’18, Founder of 3DIMO
Nneile, from South Africa, is the founder of 3DIMO, a software and data science company based in Cape Town. The company provides traceable animal biometric identification to ensure animal health and wellbeing. 3DIMO uses artificial intelligence, biometric identification, and infrared imagery for livestock disease risk tracing, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of monitoring animal health.
A Promising Future for Harambeans
The Harambean Oppenheimer Fellowship represents a significant step in nurturing Africa’s entrepreneurial talent and fostering sustainable business growth across the continent. With continued support from Oppenheimer Generations Philanthropies and the Alliance, the Fellows are poised to create lasting impact through their ventures. The program has not only strengthened the growth of early-stage ventures but has also built a network of entrepreneurs committed to shaping the future of Africa’s economies.