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:

Alternative Finance

The BBC's Evan Davis recently interviewed the co-founders of three technology-based services that are disrupting conventional banking and financial services: M-Pesa (mobile money), Zopa (peer-to-peer lending for individuals) and MartketInvoice (auction-based online marketplace for unpaid business invoices).

The Art (and Science) of the Start

Excellent meditation by Paul Graham on the art (and science) of generating start-up ideas.

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:

 

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.

When Charlie met...

Charlie Rose recently sat down and had an interesting conversation with Marc Andreessen. Key topics included: innovation, tech entrepreneurship, philanthropy and venture capital.

NVCA 2012

Video highlights of 2012 sessions, including Arthur Rock's conversation with Mike Markkula.

Strategy Vs. Tactics from a Venture Capitalist

A classic article by the legendary Silicon Valley venture capitalist Arthur Rock on what makes entrepreneurial ventures succeed: Is it strategy or tactics?

A Sprat to Catch a Mackerel

That's the title of the new book by Raymond Ackerman, the renowned South African entrepreneur, founder of Pick n Pay and champion of free markets.

The Entrepreneur's Studio

Entrepreneurs trading war stories.

Prerequisite to Prosperity in Africa

From Vol. 4, No. 1 (Winter 2009) of Innovations on the theme "Mobilizing Markets":

"Prerequisite to Prosperity: Why Africa's Future Depends on Better Governance" by Dr. Mo Ibrahim.

Extras:

• 2008 Time 100 Profile
• Two-part interview (1 and 2) with Karl Moore of McGill University (22 April 2009)
• Interview with Mark Milstein of Cornell University (27 April 2009)