# G.de Padirac, T. K. Zlotoff, A. Kabanda, S. Leedom: Accelerator & Venture Builder l Africa/Week 2025 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BBhVh-gHPk Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/2BBhVh-gHPk Generated: 2026-02-07T00:01:49.2+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The panel discussion at Norrsken Africa/Week 2025 focused on the unique challenges and opportunities in building and funding venture ecosystems in Africa, with speakers emphasizing the need for long-term commitment, tailored support for early-stage companies, and addressing the fragmentation of the ecosystem compared to more mature markets like the US and Europe. **Key Points:** - Sarah Leedom of Homoco, based in Rwanda, focuses on supporting displaced entrepreneurs in refugee camps across Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Chad. - Homoco works with approximately 380 venture accelerators and builders across the continent, investing in early-stage, impact-driven, and locally-based founders. - A key challenge discussed is that African accelerators often lack the long-term capital commitment (e.g., 10-year fund cycles) common in Western ecosystems. - Ali Kabanda from Jeesiri, based in Rwanda, noted that Jeesiri supports entrepreneurs at different stages, from ideation to market entry, and has supported over 20 accelerators/incubators. - Greg de Padirac of Digital Africa stated that Digital Africa invests in early-stage African tech ecosystems, not as an accelerator itself, but to provide support and unlock the road to VC funding. - A major pain point identified is the lack of institutional support for early-stage companies, contrasting with the deep pockets of large corporations and state funding often backing accelerators in the US/Europe. - The panel concluded that successful support requires not just capital, but also deep domain expertise, customer obsession, and resilience/grit from founders. ![Screenshot at 00:47: The panel convenes on stage with four speakers seated, featuring the Norrsken and Africa/Week 2025 branding prominently displayed on the backdrop, setting the scene for the investment and venture building discussion.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/2BBhVh-gHPk/00-00-47.jpg) **Context:** This video captures a panel discussion from the Norrsken Africa/Week 2025 event, featuring investors and venture builders focused on the African technology ecosystem. The discussion centers on the unique aspects of funding, supporting, and scaling ventures across the continent, particularly contrasting the African landscape with established markets in the US and Europe. Key participants included Sarah Leedom (Homoco), Aline Kabanda (Jeesiri), Greg de Padirac (Digital Africa), and Tyler (Delta 40). ## Detailed Analysis The panel discussion featured Sarah Leedom (Homoco, Rwanda), Aline Kabanda (Jeesiri, Rwanda), Greg de Padirac (Digital Africa), and Tyler (Delta 40, Nairobi). Sarah Leedom introduced her organization, Homoco, which supports displaced entrepreneurs in refugee camps across five African nations and invests in early-stage, impact-driven companies. She noted they often provide a minimum of two years of hands-on support. Aline Kabanda discussed Jeesiri, which supports entrepreneurs from ideation through market entry across various African stages, highlighting that what makes Jeesiri unique is their deep, long-term commitment and focus on impact-driven founders. Greg de Padirac of Digital Africa clarified that his organization invests in the ecosystem itself, supporting accelerators and builders across 20 countries to help them provide better support to startups, rather than running accelerators directly. He pointed out that African accelerators often lack the long-term funding and deep corporate/state backing seen in Western ecosystems. A key theme was the challenge of replicating Western models, with speakers noting that African ecosystems are more fragmented, and many early-stage companies lack readiness for traditional VC funding. Kabanda emphasized the need for support mechanisms tailored to the local context, especially for founders still in the ideation stage, and the importance of measuring impact alongside financial success. The discussion concluded with a call for tailored support structures that recognize the specific needs and realities of the African market. ### Introduction of Panelists - Sarah Leedom (Homoco) works with entrepreneurs in refugee camps across Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Chad - Aline Kabanda (Jeesiri) supports entrepreneurs in Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia - Greg de Padirac (Digital Africa) focuses on funding ecosystem builders - Tyler (Delta 40) based in Nairobi. ### Homoco's Focus - Works with ~380 venture accelerators/builders, focusing on early-stage, impact-driven companies, providing a minimum of two years of hands-on support. ### Jeesiri's Approach - Supports entrepreneurs from ideation to market entry across various stages; unique due to long-term commitment and focus on impact-driven founders. ### Digital Africa's Role - Invests in the ecosystem (accelerators/builders) across 20 countries, not running accelerators directly, to unlock VC funding pathways. ### Ecosystem Challenges - African ecosystems are fragmented compared to the US/Europe; many local accelerators lack long-term funding structures and rely on public money or smaller structures. ### Founder Support Needs - Founders need support that is context-driven (e.g., navigating local regulations, achieving product-market fit) and tailored to their specific stage (e.g., idea stage vs. scale-up). ### Conclusion/Key Takeaway - Success requires moving beyond just capital provision to ensuring long-term commitment, deep domain expertise, customer obsession, and measurable impact. ![Screenshot at 00:06: Sarah Leedom introducing herself and her organization, Homoco, which supports entrepreneurs in refugee camps.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/2BBhVh-gHPk/00-00-06.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:47: The four panelists—Greg de Padirac, Aline Kabanda, an unnamed woman, and Sarah Leedom—seated on stage at Africa/Week 2025.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/2BBhVh-gHPk/00-00-47.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:36: The moderator \(Sarah Leedom\) engaging the panel, asking Aline Kabanda about Jeesiri's unique value proposition.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/2BBhVh-gHPk/00-01-36.jpg) ![Screenshot at 02:24: Aline Kabanda explaining Jeesiri's focus on supporting entrepreneurs through various stages, including problem identification and market entry.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/2BBhVh-gHPk/00-02-24.jpg) ![Screenshot at 05:03: Greg de Padirac responding, noting that Digital Africa's goal is to unlock the pathway to VC funding for African startups, not run accelerators directly.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/2BBhVh-gHPk/00-05-03.jpg)