Almost a year ago, the ‘Mongol Rally’ appeared in my twitter feed and as soon as I watched one of the highlights video like this one – it found itself on my bucket list and soon decided I would taking on this crazy journey in 2017. The Mongol Rally is a 10,000+ mile trip across […]
Why Africa? Opportunities, Insights And Observations On African Tech Innovation
Why Africa? A lot has been written about the emerging tech ecosystem in Africa recently. Inspired to see it for myself, I booked a one-way ticket to Sub-Saharan Africa, arranging to meet with founders, investors, accelerators and government officials in some of the most innovative cities from the region. When you consider some of the […]
Top 5 Startups I’ve met in Africa so far
I’m sitting in a bar next to the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali, Rwanda as I write this article. The hotel is a bland 4-star hotel no different from any other you could see anywhere in the world. However, if you have ever seen the film Hotel Rwanda, you will know the significance of […]
Addis Ababa: A City & Ecosystem Under Construction
Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) has been the first stop on my trip to Africa. While the tech ecosystem here is not as advanced as others in Africa such as Nairobi or Kigali, there is a bright future ahead when you consider some of the macro factors. At present, almost everything is imported. Even things they don’t […]
Why Africa? A roaring Lion in Motion
We will be exploring innovative ecosystems in Africa Jan 27 – Feb 22, but why Africa? To answer this question, I refer you to a recent article by Growth for Africa (below) which outlines some opportunities and reasons for doing business in Africa. Enjoy and feel free to reach out if you are interested in […]
Rapid Prototyping in Asia
One of the key insights we gained while on WIT Asia was how quick you can get a product to market. The rise of new manufacturing in the region means there are a number of new prototyping services both private and state run that local and international startups can avail of. In Taiwan, Wistron and […]
Virtual Reality: The New Norm in Asia
Want to know what tech we will be using in 2 years time? Chances are it’s already in Shenzhen’s electronics market. We constantly hear of the new innovations coming out of Asia, but to truly understand what’s going on, you have to witness it. The proliferation of VR technology was unmistakable. Everyone from maker studios to […]
Accelerating Growth in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a short two hour flight from Taipei and is a city that has many advantages for international companies who wish to do business there. It truly feels like a crucible where Chinese and western culture meet. You have the international brands, the Starbucks, but also the delights of Chinese culture such as […]
One Day in Shenzhen
We arrived in Shenzhen taking the train from Hong Hum in Hong Kong. Transfer time to the border is about 45 minutes and getting a 5 day entry visa takes another 45 mins approx. The price of this visa varies by country but is no more than $50 USD. US Citizens were required to get […]
First Stop in Asia: Taiwan
The first stop on our World Innovation tour was Taipei, a 16 hour direct flight from New York. Given the ease of access and somewhat westernized culture that exists, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Taiwan is renowned as a route into mainland China for US companies. Give the recognition as a state by Trump and frosty […]