What Drives the Thinking Entrepreneur?

Many theories and viewpoints exist regarding what fundamentally drives an entrepreneur. What prompts them to take on the perilous endeavor of launching a fresh enterprise, particularly within a tough environment where they often have to struggle immensely just to make their seemingly unattainable dreams become reality? Despite this, a key factor remains consistent: entrepreneurship is a multifaceted and arduous expedition demanding more than anything else sheer enthusiasm for success, irrespective of financial incentives or emotional backing from others.

A key but often unsaid element is the capacity for thought. Entrepreneurs need to possess the skill to generate innovative solutions and implement them robustly, adapting flexibly along the way.

That’s precisely why the popular online entrepreneurial program dubbed 'Thinkpreneur' deserves recognition. Concentrating on areas such as advanced technological infrastructural development, advisory services, power solutions, farming practices, and medical advancements, Thinklab Group Limited has set aside ₦1 billion for this venture. This opportunity is accessible to entrepreneurs, start-ups, and inventors with promising commercial concepts or innovations. The program caters to those aiming to expand their businesses or create meaningful change within their sectors—a much-needed resource in Nigeria today.

This program provides various forms of financial support such as grants, equity investments, or venture capital based on the project’s needs. Entrepreneurs who wish to join must create a sixty-second video presenting their concept, detailing its present value assessment, and indicating the desired level of financing. Additionally, they need to describe how much profit investors can expect within a set timeframe. Despite having finished the initial stage with seventy-five winners selected out of approximately two thousand participants, an intriguing aspect was that every candidate had to post their video online, featuring the emblematic symbol of Digital Nigeria.

The shortlisted applicants will undergo a rigorous selection process, which will include a pitch competition and a thorough review of their business plans. Successful applicants will receive details about the funding available. The judging panel will evaluate your application based on several factors, including the originality of your idea, its potential for social or economic impact, scalability, sustainability, and the clarity and effectiveness of your pitch.

My greatest wish is for Nigerian eco-entrepreneurs to rise to the forefront of this program and use their innovations to benefit our society. In recent years, numerous environmentally aware business owners have emerged in Nigeria, providing effective answers to various ecological issues. A prime example that immediately springs to mind is Wecyclers, a Lagos-based firm specializing in waste recycling management.

Thus, I delved further into this question: who stands as the mind behind this concept? Surprisingly, he is an architect possessing immense potential to emerge as one of Nigeria’s leading voices in environmental advocacy. Dr Sa'id Alkali Kori is recognized not only for being a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur but also for his work as a philanthropist and educator. His significant contributions span financial innovations, infrastructural advancements, and pioneering ideas. Holding a Master’s degree from the University of Manchester and a Ph.D. from the University of Liverpool focused on digital architectural design, Dr. Kori extends his influence beyond practice through teaching roles at both the University of Liverpool and Ramat Polytechnic in Maiduguri.

Two key points emerge from Dr. Kori’s efforts with Thinkpreneur. Firstly, he is rejuvenating the essence of YouWin!, a bold initiative that once sparked innovative opportunities for young Nigerians but was prematurely halted before it could fully prepare the country for renewal. Should his approach succeed, it will signal that the private sector has initiated another pathway toward advancement.

'Youth Enterprise with Innovative Practices in Nigeria,' known as YouWin!, was a governmental initiative focused on fostering entrepreneurship through an inventive business plan contest. Its purpose was to generate employment opportunities by motivating and aiding young Nigerian individuals eager to establish their own ventures, thereby promoting economic growth via new businesses. Launched in 2011, this program notably introduced 'YouWin! Women' in its second iteration; this specific track catered exclusively to women entrepreneurs under 45 years old. Notably, several winners from these contests have since achieved significant success both nationally and internationally.

Nevertheless, the current worldwide framework emphasizes that digital technology plays a crucial role in decreasing our carbon emissions. Dr. Kori’s narrative highlights the significant benefit of positioning oneself within the forefront of emerging technological advancements. During a recent discussion, he mentioned being fortunate enough to have received support from an insightful parent who equipped him with advanced digital resources quite early in his professional journey. His father purchased him a personal computer at a time when very few individuals, including academics, had familiarity with using such devices.

When my father purchased a relatively new computer back when they weren’t very common, I recall he went to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. Among everything else he acquired during his trip, he decided to buy that computer for me at a cost of $1,500 and personally brought it home. Given that most of our peers didn't have much interest in such technology, particularly within the school setting, I stood out as being deeply involved with digital architectural design since I knew how to leverage it for producing impressive designs. This marked the beginning of my involvement in managing various projects; at just 20 years old, this launched me into an early start.

Regarding the development of his program, Dr. Kori disclosed that when creating Thinkpreneur, he was motivated by the stark fact that Nigerian entrepreneurs were grappling with the significant hurdle of securing funds to turn their concepts into tangible realities.

We consistently struggle with funding, whereas the children of Mr. A or B benefit from wealth and can secure opportunities via their family connections and financial resources. However, numerous individuals possess ideas yet face a shortage of startup capital due to youth. Moreover, obtaining loans from banks is nearly unfeasible since the offspring of Mr. A or B can leverage their parent’s property as collateral to acquire substantial financing initially; however, this advantage does not extend to typical entrepreneurs.

Maybe we've reached a point where realizing the importance of architecture in transforming how Nigeria generates and utilizes energy can occur once professionals grasp and harness the environmental benefits inherent in their field. One instance from 2017 stands out: The Nigerian Institute of Architects teamed up with the Ministry of Environment for the Waste-to-Wealth initiative. This program aims to convert waste into both electricity and organic fertilizer, as well as foster job creation.

The organization partnered with GIZ, the German Cooperation Agency in Nigeria, to educate Nigerian architects about energy efficiency in building design. Approximately 3,000 architects were set to gain expertise in this area. Moreover, GIZ partially funded a position at the institute for an architect to attend an advanced training program on energy-efficient building design in Germany back in March 2017. Given all these efforts, more than eight years later, one has to ask: What have been the outcomes of such ambitious sustainable architecture projects?

The term "architect" comes from ancient Greek terms signifying "lead constructor," encompassing both the method and outcome of planning, designing, and erecting buildings and various physical infrastructures. It’s essential to have individuals capable of innovatively formulating frameworks for sustainable growth across different domains, particularly within agriculture and environmental management, ensuring these designs enhance efficiency, decrease energy consumption, streamline processes, lower operational expenses, and minimize transport durations. Architects bear the responsibility of crafting this constructed world, considering accessible resources and potential eco-friendly benefits.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).