The global Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdown has resulted in unprecedented economic turmoil and devastation affecting businesses, lives and livelihoods in nearly every country on earth. It has, however, importantly illustrated the power of the human spirit and the reserves of resilience and grit of so many to persevere and survive. The Harambean network of African entrepreneurs has more than ever used the power of its network to adapt and thrive during this crisis. 

Silicon Valley is synonymous with technology and innovation and is home to many of the world's largest tech companies. It was therefore fitting for Harambeans in the Knowledge Transfer Initiative (KTI) and the Global Access Program (GAP) to spend a weekend there meeting with Silicon Valley icons to learn from the best in order to take their ventures to the next level.

In today’s episode, we feature venture capitalist, Pardon Makumbe, the co-founder of CRE Venture Capital. CRE partners with visionary entrepreneurs who are building category-defining tech companies in Africa. They leverage their capital, relationships and experience to position the teams they work with for outsized success.

On September 14, 2019, Harambeans Founder, Okendo Lewis-Gayle, revealed at the Vatican that MAX and Releaf Group were the two inaugural co-investments of the Harambeans Prosperity Fund. Alongside YCombinator, Yamaha and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Harambeans Prosperity Fund invested $100,000 into each Harambean-led startup. Seeded by Cisco, with a multimillion dollar gift, the Harambeans Prosperity Fund is a rules-based co-investment vehicle, which aims to accelerate the growth of Harambean-led ventures, build a coalition of like-minded investors and secure the long-term financial viability of the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance. 

The African continent and its people are typically portrayed through the conflict, poverty and disease that millions of its people experience. In September, thanks to JCDecaux, residents and tourists in the Eternal City of Rome had the opportunity to experience an alternative narrative – that of highly competitive African entrepreneurs on a mission to change Africa’s fortunes through their innovative business ventures.

The Harambean community gathered at the Vatican in September for its fifth biennial forum to reaffirm its pledge to work together as one to build Africa’s future. Vatican Radio released a special on the event featuring an interview of Harambeans Founder, Okendo Lewis-Gayle, and a greeting to the Harambeans by Pope Francis.