Aurora Media Group (Techstars Founder Catalyst '23)’s Post

My entrepreneurial journey over the last 20 years has been propelled massively by participation in global forums like the World Economic Forum (also known as 'Davos'), the Aspen Institute, TED, Clinton Global Initiative, and the Milken Institute. These powerful gatherings bring together some of the most influential people in the world to shape policy, drive thought leadership and craft meaningful collaborations. I have learned a tremendous amount about geopolitics, the latest trends in technology, health, music, finance, the capital markets, macroeconomics etc. I have met some of my most important advisors, board members, investors, and mentors at such gatherings. I can honestly say I wouldn't be where I am without such platforms. But something was always missing. The voice of Africa. Typically less than 5% of the attendees or speakers at such gatherings are African. And very often, I'd find myself excitedly attending a panel on 'Africa', only to find that there were no Africans on the panel! So my friend Acha Leke and I realized we needed to create our own forum, where Africa would not be on the sidelines, but front and center. We called it the African Leadership Network (ALN), and we launched ALN it in 2010. Each year since then (with the exception of a 3-year pause due to Covid), we bring 300-400 influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to build meaningful relationships that can move Africa forward. We just concluded our 2023 gathering, which was themed the ‘Beats of Boldness’. We wanted to explore what it takes to break the status quo, be disruptive and do unconventional, hard things. To chart your own pathway, and be bold. From the powerful stories shared by Danai Gurira on breaking barriers as an African woman in Hollywood; to Shabana Basij-Rasikh’s incredible tale of boldness as she evacuated young Afghan girls from her School of Leadership in Afghanistan (SOLA) as the Taliban returned to Kabul; to the groundbreaking innovation from Koniku (founded by a Nigerian) which is using AI to 'smell'- we were surrounded by bold leaders at every turn. Our delegates were given platforms to share their bold ideas and initiatives. Field trips exposed them to bold, real-life initiatives. 'Deal Rooms' provided brilliant African entrepreneurs with the opportunity to pitch their ideas to venture capitalists.. We also shared the bold decisions and learning opportunities we have encountered on the 20-year journey of the African Leadership Group, and our inspiring fireside with remarkable leaders Yvonne Manzi Makolo, Michaella Rugwizangoga, and Belise Kariza showed us how a high-performing government like Rwanda's makes bold and unconventional decisions. One of my favourite moments was our Bold Awards, where we recognized young entrepreneurs, social impact leaders and our very own Bold Man and Woman of the year: Ademola Adeyemi-Bero & Senait Fisseha, MD., JD Please watch this recap video of our 3-day event!

My entrepreneurial journey over the last 20 years has been propelled massively by participation in global forums like the World Economic Forum (also known as 'Davos'), the Aspen Institute, TED, Clinton Global Initiative, and the Milken Institute. These powerful gatherings bring together some of the most influential people in the world to shape policy, drive thought leadership and craft meaningful collaborations. I have learned a tremendous amount about geopolitics, the latest trends in technology, health, music, finance, the capital markets, macroeconomics etc. I have met some of my most important advisors, board members, investors, and mentors at such gatherings. I can honestly say I wouldn't be where I am without such platforms. But something was always missing. The voice of Africa. Typically less than 5% of the attendees or speakers at such gatherings are African. And very often, I'd find myself excitedly attending a panel on 'Africa', only to find that there were no Africans on the panel! So my friend Acha Leke and I realized we needed to create our own forum, where Africa would not be on the sidelines, but front and center. We called it the African Leadership Network (ALN), and we launched ALN it in 2010. Each year since then (with the exception of a 3-year pause due to Covid), we bring 300-400 influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to build meaningful relationships that can move Africa forward. We just concluded our 2023 gathering, which was themed the ‘Beats of Boldness’. We wanted to explore what it takes to break the status quo, be disruptive and do unconventional, hard things. To chart your own pathway, and be bold. From the powerful stories shared by Danai Gurira on breaking barriers as an African woman in Hollywood; to Shabana Basij-Rasikh’s incredible tale of boldness as she evacuated young Afghan girls from her School of Leadership in Afghanistan (SOLA) as the Taliban returned to Kabul; to the groundbreaking innovation from Koniku (founded by a Nigerian) which is using AI to 'smell'- we were surrounded by bold leaders at every turn. Our delegates were given platforms to share their bold ideas and initiatives. Field trips exposed them to bold, real-life initiatives. 'Deal Rooms' provided brilliant African entrepreneurs with the opportunity to pitch their ideas to venture capitalists.. We also shared the bold decisions and learning opportunities we have encountered on the 20-year journey of the African Leadership Group, and our inspiring fireside with remarkable leaders Yvonne Manzi Makolo, Michaella Rugwizangoga, and Belise Kariza showed us how a high-performing government like Rwanda's makes bold and unconventional decisions. One of my favourite moments was our Bold Awards, where we recognized young entrepreneurs, social impact leaders and our very own Bold Man and Woman of the year: Ademola Adeyemi-Bero & Senait Fisseha, MD., JD Please watch this recap video of our 3-day event!

My entrepreneurial journey over the last 20 years has been propelled massively by participation in global forums like the World Economic Forum (also known as 'Davos'), the Aspen Institute, TED, Clinton Global Initiative, and the Milken Institute. These powerful gatherings bring together some of the most influential people in the world to shape policy, drive thought leadership and craft meaningful collaborations. I have learned a tremendous amount about geopolitics, the latest trends in technology, health, music, finance, the capital markets, macroeconomics etc. I have met some of my most important advisors, board members, investors, and mentors at such gatherings. I can honestly say I wouldn't be where I am without such platforms. But something was always missing. The voice of Africa. Typically less than 5% of the attendees or speakers at such gatherings are African. And very often, I'd find myself excitedly attending a panel on 'Africa', only to find that there were no Africans on the panel! So my friend Acha Leke and I realized we needed to create our own forum, where Africa would not be on the sidelines, but front and center. We called it the African Leadership Network (ALN), and we launched ALN it in 2010. Each year since then (with the exception of a 3-year pause due to Covid), we bring 300-400 influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to build meaningful relationships that can move Africa forward. We just concluded our 2023 gathering, which was themed the ‘Beats of Boldness’. We wanted to explore what it takes to break the status quo, be disruptive and do unconventional, hard things. To chart your own pathway, and be bold. From the powerful stories shared by Danai Gurira on breaking barriers as an African woman in Hollywood; to Shabana Basij-Rasikh’s incredible tale of boldness as she evacuated young Afghan girls from her School of Leadership in Afghanistan (SOLA) as the Taliban returned to Kabul; to the groundbreaking innovation from Koniku (founded by a Nigerian) which is using AI to 'smell'- we were surrounded by bold leaders at every turn. Our delegates were given platforms to share their bold ideas and initiatives. Field trips exposed them to bold, real-life initiatives. 'Deal Rooms' provided brilliant African entrepreneurs with the opportunity to pitch their ideas to venture capitalists.. We also shared the bold decisions and learning opportunities we have encountered on the 20-year journey of the African Leadership Group, and our inspiring fireside with remarkable leaders Yvonne Manzi Makolo, Michaella Rugwizangoga, and Belise Kariza showed us how a high-performing government like Rwanda's makes bold and unconventional decisions. One of my favourite moments was our Bold Awards, where we recognized young entrepreneurs, social impact leaders and our very own Bold Man and Woman of the year: Ademola Adeyemi-Bero & Senait Fisseha, MD., JD Please watch this recap video of our 3-day event!

My entrepreneurial journey over the last 20 years has been propelled massively by participation in global forums like the World Economic Forum (also known as 'Davos'), the Aspen Institute, TED, Clinton Global Initiative, and the Milken Institute. These powerful gatherings bring together some of the most influential people in the world to shape policy, drive thought leadership and craft meaningful collaborations. I have learned a tremendous amount about geopolitics, the latest trends in technology, health, music, finance, the capital markets, macroeconomics etc. I have met some of my most important advisors, board members, investors, and mentors at such gatherings. I can honestly say I wouldn't be where I am without such platforms. But something was always missing. The voice of Africa. Typically less than 5% of the attendees or speakers at such gatherings are African. And very often, I'd find myself excitedly attending a panel on 'Africa', only to find that there were no Africans on the panel! So my friend Acha Leke and I realized we needed to create our own forum, where Africa would not be on the sidelines, but front and center. We called it the African Leadership Network (ALN), and we launched ALN it in 2010. Each year since then (with the exception of a 3-year pause due to Covid), we bring 300-400 influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to build meaningful relationships that can move Africa forward. We just concluded our 2023 gathering, which was themed the ‘Beats of Boldness’. We wanted to explore what it takes to break the status quo, be disruptive and do unconventional, hard things. To chart your own pathway, and be bold. From the powerful stories shared by Danai Gurira on breaking barriers as an African woman in Hollywood; to Shabana Basij-Rasikh’s incredible tale of boldness as she evacuated young Afghan girls from her School of Leadership in Afghanistan (SOLA) as the Taliban returned to Kabul; to the groundbreaking innovation from Koniku (founded by a Nigerian) which is using AI to 'smell'- we were surrounded by bold leaders at every turn. Our delegates were given platforms to share their bold ideas and initiatives. Field trips exposed them to bold, real-life initiatives. 'Deal Rooms' provided brilliant African entrepreneurs with the opportunity to pitch their ideas to venture capitalists.. We also shared the bold decisions and learning opportunities we have encountered on the 20-year journey of the African Leadership Group, and our inspiring fireside with remarkable leaders Yvonne Manzi Makolo, Michaella Rugwizangoga, and Belise Kariza showed us how a high-performing government like Rwanda's makes bold and unconventional decisions. One of my favourite moments was our Bold Awards, where we recognized young entrepreneurs, social impact leaders and our very own Bold Man and Woman of the year: Ademola Adeyemi-Bero & Senait Fisseha, MD., JD Please watch this recap video of our 3-day event!

My entrepreneurial journey over the last 20 years has been propelled massively by participation in global forums like the World Economic Forum (also known as 'Davos'), the Aspen Institute, TED, Clinton Global Initiative, and the Milken Institute. These powerful gatherings bring together some of the most influential people in the world to shape policy, drive thought leadership and craft meaningful collaborations. I have learned a tremendous amount about geopolitics, the latest trends in technology, health, music, finance, the capital markets, macroeconomics etc. I have met some of my most important advisors, board members, investors, and mentors at such gatherings. I can honestly say I wouldn't be where I am without such platforms. But something was always missing. The voice of Africa. Typically less than 5% of the attendees or speakers at such gatherings are African. And very often, I'd find myself excitedly attending a panel on 'Africa', only to find that there were no Africans on the panel! So my friend Acha Leke and I realized we needed to create our own forum, where Africa would not be on the sidelines, but front and center. We called it the African Leadership Network (ALN), and we launched ALN it in 2010. Each year since then (with the exception of a 3-year pause due to Covid), we bring 300-400 influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to build meaningful relationships that can move Africa forward. We just concluded our 2023 gathering, which was themed the ‘Beats of Boldness’. We wanted to explore what it takes to break the status quo, be disruptive and do unconventional, hard things. To chart your own pathway, and be bold. From the powerful stories shared by Danai Gurira on breaking barriers as an African woman in Hollywood; to Shabana Basij-Rasikh’s incredible tale of boldness as she evacuated young Afghan girls from her School of Leadership in Afghanistan (SOLA) as the Taliban returned to Kabul; to the groundbreaking innovation from Koniku (founded by a Nigerian) which is using AI to 'smell'- we were surrounded by bold leaders at every turn. Our delegates were given platforms to share their bold ideas and initiatives. Field trips exposed them to bold, real-life initiatives. 'Deal Rooms' provided brilliant African entrepreneurs with the opportunity to pitch their ideas to venture capitalists.. We also shared the bold decisions and learning opportunities we have encountered on the 20-year journey of the African Leadership Group, and our inspiring fireside with remarkable leaders Yvonne Manzi Makolo, Michaella Rugwizangoga, and Belise Kariza showed us how a high-performing government like Rwanda's makes bold and unconventional decisions. One of my favourite moments was our Bold Awards, where we recognized young entrepreneurs, social impact leaders and our very own Bold Man and Woman of the year: Ademola Adeyemi-Bero & Senait Fisseha, MD., JD Please watch this recap video of our 3-day event!