The Graça Machel Trust held its inaugural Entrepreneur roundtable on 3rd June 2021. The session was led by Andia Chakava, Investment Director, Korkor Cudjoe, Women Creating Wealth Technical Advisor, and Jane Muia, Investment Analyst at the Graça Machel Trust (GMT). The event was aimed at relationship building with entrepreneurs as part of GMTs pipeline development efforts. It was attended by 9 entrepreneurs from Kenya, South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia.
The Inaugural GMT Entrepreneur RoundTable: Understanding the Fundraising Journey – An Entrepreneur & Investor Perspective
The roundtable engaged entrepreneurs in a variety of discussions that highlighted their particular needs. First, they focused on the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and entrepreneur’s responses to the challenges. Second, they highlighted growth aspects of their businesses and explored what entrepreneurs value most in technical assistance programs. Lastly, they unpacked entrepreneurs varied funding experiences.
“We make custom-made clothes for men and women but have diversified to tailoring re-usable face masks that has kept us afloat during the season.”- Daria Makaramba, Daria Designs – Tanzania.
These discussions will inform the design of a responsive solution by the Trust. In addition, entrepreneurs made commitments towards getting their businesses ready for funding and being GMT’s ambassadors for the gender lens investment fund. Below are some inputs from the participants.
In the case of Malawi, Selina Mwenelupembe Founder & Co-Owner of Mount Carmel Ltd Malawi shared how valuable the technical assistance programs has been and appreciated how the networking opportunities has expanded her thinking through peer interactions.
“I desire if such programs can do more in connecting Alumni to loans with low interest and softer repayment conditions and periods to foster growth and increase Capital.”- Selina Mwenelupembe Founder & Co-Owner of Mount Carmel Ltd, Malawi.
Nonceba Manjengwa Tsopano Corporate Clothing shared her experiences with funding.
“I plead with funders to consider revising their terms and take chances on female entrepreneurs based on their track record.”- Nonceba Manjengwa Tsopano Corporate Clothing- South Africa
This article was compiled by Jane Muia.
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