On March 18, 2021, AHIA hosted Part II of our Bio Africa Innovator’s Series: The Power of Networking. We focused on the importance of networking for academics, scientists and entrepreneurs who want to commercialize innovation. The panel consisted of Dr. Akanimo Odon (Dr. Akan), CEO of Envirofly Consulting UK, who moderated the session and delivered his 5 Nuggets of Conscious Networking (see below). Pauline Koelbl, Founder & CEO of AfriProspect and ShEquity, delivered a key presentation highlighting her personal journey of establishing and leveraging a global network. Dr. Emmanuel Egbroko, Founder & CEO of Inocul8, a startup combatting vaccine-preventable diseases, discussed how he leveraged events and conferences to grow his network. The event was completed by Dr. Admore Jokwiro, CEO of MyCpdZw, a digital platform to support healthcare professionals continuing education in Zimbabwe. Dr. Jokwiro engaged the audience with the question: finding funding or building a network, which is more important? Check out the highlights below.
Dr. Akanimo Odon
Dr. Akan took the attendees through his 5 Nuggets of Conscious Networking.
These nuggets are recommendations for structuring how you interact with a new connection.
Introduction: Who are you?
Investigation: What does the other person do?
Articulation: Is there a synergy in this relationship?
Characterization: How do you want to define this relationship?
Action: What do you want out of this relationship?
Pauline Koelbl
SheEquity & Afriprospect CEO & Founder
Pauline Koelbl focused her presentation on her journey from Rwanda, to Arizona, USA as a refugee, and now the EU.
She talked about her intensive experience in forming global connections that led to new positions that expanded her work experience, board positions, and partnerships in multiple ventures. Pauline challenged the audience with the question: “Who are my top 8 people?” She shared the importance of surrounding yourself with strong advocates and attributed most of her success to key people in her network.
One of her ventures, ShEquity, is a fund with the mission to unlock African female entrepreneurs through smart and sustainable investments. Another venture, AfriProspect, has a motto: Innovate, Connect, and Scale. Check out her organization here to learn more!
Dr. Emmanuel Egbroko
Inocul8 Cofounder& CEO, Nigeria
Dr. Emmanuel Egbroko discussed his journey of forming Inocul8.
“It’s not a matter of selling your elevator pitch, it is about selling your vision, what you are trying to achieve.” Inocul8 has the mission to reduce the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and their associated death by ensuring easy access to screening and vaccination services for many Nigerians. Their goal is to vaccinate at least 1 million Nigerians by 2030! “Results are never achieved in isolation, results are achieved through collaboration.” Check out his venture here to learn more and connect with his team.
“Results are never achieved in isolation, results are achieved through collaboration”
Dr. Admore Jokwiro
MyCptZw CEO & Founder, Zimbabwe
Dr. Admore Jokwiro finished off the webinar, explaining how he would not be where he is now without networking.
He is the District Medical Officer for Nyanga, Zimbabwe, a Humphery Fellow at Rollins School of Public Health (Emory University), and CEO of MyCpdZw Solutions, an online teaching platform that provides continuing health education to all health workers in Zimbabwe, with almost over 28,000 users. He initially did not have the capital to grow MyCpdZw, so he looked to his network to find funding. He continued to dip into his network whenever he came across issues in developing of the application.
“If there is one thing our platform needs right now, it is a bigger network.”
This was the second session in the 2021 AHIA Bio-Medical Innovator series which was created to provide guidance in the biomedical landscape around Africa for African biomedical innovators in partnership with AfricaBio. For more details of the full series, visit the Bio Africa Innovator Resource Hub. Be on the lookout for Part III in late May.
