These Tandaas working through a technical session on j2me technologies for mobile
I have just had a quick chat with Dr Sevilla (Strathmore) about the impact of developing skills in software development. I am amazed at some of the things I am hearing about from the presenters here at the Boot Camp.
The developer community is charged and motivated and have excellent ideas. I think they need alot more financial and logistical support than we as government are able to give them. We can create self employment and innovation among our more intelligent and hard working youth. At the same time, many of the problems on ICT that require and ICT intervention can benefit from the Tandaa generation’s energy.
The Tandaa generation is highly exposed to what is possible technologically. They may be short of corporate experience. We the corporate generation have a responsibility to give them whatever support we can in terms of exposure, encouragement, and financial support. in 2001 I had the privelage of presenting at a UN panel in geneva on technology http://www.intracen.org/DocMan/PRSR1537.htm. I spoke about the need for development of innovation capital. I spoke about the generation that ‘got it”. That did not always dish out ‘push-back’ when presented with ideas technological. My view back then and my view now.. that I have this unique responsibility , is that the tandaa generation, is what will deliver alot of the goodies we are looking for as a country. They can create, they are intellectually curious, they are driven, very exposed thanks to technologically delivered media, they are non-tribal, they are good thinkers, they like to be independant. Technology provides them with the tools. What they now need is capital.
The owners of capital on the other hand are content, technologically challenged, very socially comfortable, very politically inclined, would love to participate in this game but dont know how to, tend to have no respect for intellectual capital, etc etc.
What we need is to have a bridge developed between Tandaa and the “Zaks”. I need ideas to figure this out. How dyou get a chap who can afford to loose 20,000 USD to give it to a Tandaa who can change the world with it.
The ICT Board will be organizing/or supporting a session to discuss how Tandaa’s can develop business and marketing skills. More from me later….
Blogging on my laptop at the Mobile developer Boot camp
One soon realises that it is the same old problem; “The world has enough for everything that lives on it, but not enough for one greedy person.” Innovative entrepreneurship holds the potential to correct the excesses. Noted for your earlier post that you recognised a humbling one.
“…… I need ideas to figure this out. How dyou get a chap who can afford to loose 20,000 USD to give it to a Tandaa who can change the world with it.”
I think your questions is an answer by it self. As you put it the only thing you’ll have to do is be the linkage between the two divides, act as a guarantor to the Tandaas. The funding must also be graduated to avoid the case of very small tandaas having too much than they require just because they asked for it and made a good case.
Thanks.
Hi,
I propose at some point of time that the Tandaas participate to some Business Plan Contests.
There have been 2 last year, the BID Challenge organized by IFC – SME Solution Center, and the Chora Bizna, sponsored by the Minister of Youth Affairs and organized by Technoserve.
I was a Jury member in both of them and I can tell 1/ good projects can win interesting prizes 2/ that investors were interested in good projects, even if most of the time, they look at slightly more mature projects.
Maybe the ICT Board can organize such contest, I can help if you are interested.
JA BORD
Love your weblog. I have bookmarked it!
Paul, you get it right with the “Zaks” mentality.I have always been of the knowledge that there is alot of capital out there only that the holders of the same are clueless as to where to put it.They will come round soon…i hope.
But on thing they should know is that with every passing day, as solutions get more refined, the buy in goes up exponentially and the 5 million shillings that was requested for 6 months ago for say 20% shareholding will now be worth 10%
So also from an investor perspective, smart fast movers will reap bigger rewards for their “risk”