Bjorn Macauter – General Manager Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs Belgium 25 April 2018. Bouchout Castle, Botanic Garden Meise Belgium. African Diaspora Agro Food Forum 2018.

1. Entrepreneurs with a heart for
impactful intercultural collaboration
Björn Macauter, General Manager

2. Why private sector development
(PSD) in developing countries?
• Micro, small and mid-sized businesses (MSMBs) = main
drivers of job creation and economic growth in developing
countries
• Creating opportunity for MSMBs in emerging markets is an
important way in which to promote development and reduce
poverty

3. Why PSD in developing countries?
PSD
Creates economic
growth,
employment and
improved living
conditions
Improves people’s
lives through
increased access
to goods and
services, incl.
clean water,
sanitation and
energy
Enables
governments to
generate
increased tax
revenues, thereby
contributing to the
funding of wider
development
startegies
Incentivises
people to invest in
education and
skills acquisition
Encourages
entrepreneurship
and diversification
of the economy

4. Mission OVO?
OVO facilitates socio-economic initiatives in low and medium wage countries.
We bring companies and entrepreneurs in Belgium into contact with initiatives
of this nature, either directly or indirectly. We encourage collaboration through
financing and/or accessibility to expertise.

5. Role OVO?
BUSINESS MATCHMAKING
• identify, select and support projects of value (via various
sources, ranging from our NGO partners to local direct contacts)
• approach the business world in Belgium with projects that may
appeal to them specifically
• set up partnerships for implementation of the projects
• follow up on the progress of the projects and support the
partnerships

6. What’s in it for the private sector
in Belgium?
Stakeholder
involvement
(improve employee satisfaction,
creativity, intrapreneurship)
Gain knowledge of
future markets
Prepare company
for the future
(sharing, connectivity, frugal
innovation)
Test lab for new
technologies
Genuine CSR story
(positive employer & customer
branding)
Intercultural
learning

7. Partners?
More than 135 large and smaller businesses who are (key) members,
in-kind sponsors, donors or investors

8. NEW INITIATIVES

9. SusTech4Africa
∞
• Call for projects via local partners
• Online application + (digital) pitching
10
• Workshop INSPIRATION
• Masterclass Business Model ENGINERING
• Boot camp IMPACT LAUNCHPAD
• 3 COACHING SESSIONS spread over 3 weeks
3
• Business Plan development
• Technological support
• Financial assistance

10. SusTech4Africa
Belgium &
Uganda
Belgium,
Uganda &
Rwanda
Belgium,
Uganda,
Rwanda &
Tanzania
Belgium,
Uganda,
Rwanda,
Tanzania & ?
2018
2019
2020
2021

11. Inspiration tour
“innovation in Africa”
• African entrepreneurs are masters in frugal innovation
• By stimulating interaction between Belgian and African entrepreneurs we will inspire
Belgian companies to rethink their innovation strategy and take necessary steps to
become future proofed (smaller R&D budgets, less use of raw materials, etc.)
• First tour: December 2018, Uganda

12. OVO Acceleration Fund

13. Thanks for your attention!
www.ondernemersvoorondernemers.be
Ondernemers voor Ondernemers