Think Africa Week 2015 was all about action in the form of turning ideas into reality and making an impact together. In collaboration with Slush, Helsinki Think Company and Plan Finland, the week set out to encourage Africans and friends of Africa to realise the possibilities existing around them and learn how to turn them into value. The event actively engaged participants to use their knowledge and skills. In addition, the event also opened up what the African market can offer to Finnish citizens and companies.
The week consisted of five events:
Day1: Black Market Day – This event looked at models that have been successfully used elsewhere to create opportunities for international talents, adopt to the business culture of the host country, tap their unrecognised economic value (Black market).
Day2: Solution Hatchery – this was a workshop on Design thinking
Day3: Do It Yourself – Through a panel discussion and workshop, the event demonstrated to participants with practical examples of how to transform their ideas into reality. It introduced a 7-Step to improve brainstorming and put ideas into action.
Day4: Turn Failure into Success – Interactive panel discussion for participants to rethink their idea of failure and embrace their mistakes as vital opportunities to grow.
Day5: Emerging Market Ignite! – This was a networking event providing 1-on-1 prearranged meetings between Finnish startups/companies and international talents to explore how these talented Finland-based fresh or soon-to-be graduates could open up new opportunities for Finnish businesses. Event was organised in partnership with Slush Impact, Tekes BEAM, and GOInternational.
Speakers at TAWeek 2015 included:
Peter Kariuki (Ministry of Justice), Ali Giray (Serial Entrepreneur), Melissa Arni Harden (Business Director), Sini Marttinen (Founder Azul NGO and responsible for initiating Serve the City Helsinki), Jaakko Blomberg (Co-founder and chairman of Yhteismaa NGO), Maija Faehnle (External Researcher at Finnish Environment Institute SYKE), Pasi MÄENPÄÄ (Urban Activism), FATIMA USMAN (AFAES), Sami Juola (Founder of Earth House), Lincoln Kayiwa (Founder of Kayiwa).
