Something Ventured

Something Ventured (2011) tells the story of the rise of the venture capital industry in the United States. It's a very human story, and an utterly compelling and fascinating one. You can watch it for free on Hulu:

Good African

The inspirational story of how Andrew Rugasira and his partners built the Good African Coffee company in Uganda.

The Wal-Mart Way

Reading The Wal-Mart Way: The Inside Story of the Success of the World's Largest Company by Don Soderquist:

Holistic thinking on innovation and entrepreneurship

Most thinking about innovation and entrepreneurship tends to be atomistic. And for good reason: such is the breadth and depth of the subject matter that mastery of any one aspect requires considerable specialisation. However, this does not obviate the need for holistic thinking. Indeed, it increases the need for it. Prof. Calestous Juma of Harvard University and Prof. Daniel Isenberg of Babson College are two of the world's leading holistic thinkers on innovation and entrepreneurship, respectively.

Instant: The Story of Polaroid

Reaching Out To Meet Human Needs

At the May 20th 2012 Commencement of Morehouse College, Strive Masiyiwa, one of Africa's most distinguished entrepreneurs and philanthropists, was conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. In his address to the graduating class, Dr. Masiyiwa spoke on the secret of true success:

That Africa [the emerging Africa] reminds me of what a great man of God [T. L. Osborn] once told me. He said: "You know, if you really want to be a success, identify a human need and reach out to meet it." [...] In 1994, 70% of the African people [...] had never heard a telephone ring. I didn't say had used one, I said had never heard it ring. That was a human need. I knew as a young engineer, not long since my college days, that we had to change that. We had the technology to do it, the resources were out there, it was a human need. We didn't wake up and say we want to make billions of dollars; we said we want to extend telecommunications to all the peoples of Africa. And I wrote it on our boards and I told our people and I said: "Our mission is to provide telecommunications to all the people of Africa."

Today, I can report to you that nearly 70% of the African people have a telephone [...] You have a charge [...] to meet [human] needs. Perhaps you'll make money along the way, but I know something: If you reach out to meet the needs, you will wear the crown."

See 1:40:50 - 1:53:40 in the commencement video:

 

How Mo Ibrahim built Celtel

From the October 2012 issue of Harvard Business Review:

How Mo Ibrahim built Celtel from scratch into one of the largest mobile operators in Africa.

A general theory of tech start-ups

Eric Ries's general theory of tech start-ups.

Advise, Sir Richard

Sir Richard Branson writes a weekly column for Entrepreneur magazine in which he provides advice and answers to entrepreneurs.

Old dogs, new tricks

So: what can a bunch of middle-aged guys possibly know about newfangled cloud-based applications and services? Quite a lot apparently: Workday.

Seasonal Inspiration

Question: Which entrepreneur and creator of what iconic brand inspired Steve Jobs in his development of the Apple Retail Store?

Answer: The Jewish Canadian entrepreneur Isadore Sharp, creator of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Carmine Gallo tells the full story.

Chinese traders in Africa

The Brenthurst Foundation has recently published a fascinating study of Chinese traders in five African countries.

Un entrepreneur sans frontières

An African entrepreneur transcending all kinds of borders.