Endeavor Nigeria welcomes first two entrepreneurs into fold

High-growth entrepreneur organisation Endeavor has welcomed its first two entrepreneurs from Endeavor Nigeria into its network, as well as three North African entrepreneurs.

In a statement last month Endeavor said the two Nigerian entrepreneurs — BitPesa founder Elizabeth Rossiello (who is American) and Cars45 co-founder and CEO Etop Ikpe — were among 26 entrepreneurs from 18 companies in 13 countries that the organisation selected to join its network, at the 83rd International Selection Panel (ISP), held in Athens from 22 to 24 October.

BitPesa is a digital foreign exchange and payment platform, while Cars45 claims its Nigeria the market’s first independent used car valuation expert and offers a two-sided (C2B) marketplace for used cars.

Three other African entrepreneurs were also among those selected, namely: Tunisian Amr Elmeniawy, from canned fruit and vegetables exporter Natura Agro, Egyptian Maged Fawzy of training institute WellSpring and Egyptian Souheil Guessoum of ProvenMed which has developed a solution that allows men to manage urinary incontinence.

BitPesa founder Elizabeth Rossiello and Cars45 co-founder and CEO Etop Ikpe are the first two entrepreneurs from Nigeria that Endeavor has welcome into its network

Endeavor now supports 1768 entrepreneurs leading 1106 companies in 33 markets around the world.

The ISP is the culmination of a rigorous multi-step selection process to identify innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are committed to advancing an ecosystem of entrepreneurship.

Endeavor CEO Linda Rottenberg said the organisation is all about identifying and supporting those select entrepreneurs who build and scale lasting businesses, create jobs, and mentor and inspire others.

Over the course of the three-day event, panelists drawn from Endeavor’s extensive network of board members, mentors, supporters, and experienced Endeavor Entrepreneurs, interview entrepreneur candidates about their businesses, evaluating them on their potential for high-impact growth, and deliberating on which candidates should be selected to become Endeavor Entrepreneurs.

Once selected, Endeavor Entrepreneurs gain access to comprehensive customised services, including introductions to local and international business mentors and volunteers from Fortune 500 consulting firms who will help them address key needs.

Endeavor will host the remaining ISP of 2018 in Cape Town (Stellenbosch) from 11 to 13 December.

Featured image: Cars45 co-founder and CEO Etop Ikpe (via Twitter)