Dear Pennies & Pens,
Earlier this month, I attended a wonderful event called “Africans Creating Technology”. It was a panel discussion hosted by IBOM LLC in partnership with Black Enterprise and Mayven PR. The panelists focused on discussing the growing technology sector and opportunities within Africa, as well as doling out advice on ways for African owned tech start-ups within the US to obtain funding and partnerships. Overall most of the advice given was to help tech entrepreneurs achieve their goals and make their businesses to success.
I truly believe that the panelists shared many words of wisdom and their tips could be helpful to any tech entrepreneur. The panelists included: Muoyo Okome, a Microsoft business manager and independent game developer, Tapua Tunduwani, an Information Technology consultant, Mary Olushoga, Founder of the AWPNetwork. Ali Abdullah a partner of the voice mobile app HALLO, and Eric Hamilton, Founder of Around the Way app. Additionally, Janell Hazelwood of Black Enterprise moderated the panel.
During the panel discussion, entrepreneurs were encouraged to not make excuses like lack of capital as a reason to not build and start a business. The panelists identified available resources provided by the government and non-profit organizations that assist start-ups. The panelists also suggested building relationships as well as partnering with others to build and grow one’s business. After the panel discussion, a few of the panelists demonstrated their apps.
I especially enjoyed the Around the Way app which was co-founded by panelist Eric Hamilton. The Around the Way app helps users find African-American owned businesses near their current location. The app pinpoints your location using Google Maps. The best way to describe the app is that it’s like Yelp for Black owned businesses. In essence, since you’re reading this cool international and multicultural online magazine (de la Pen), go support a new cool app created by multicultural entrepreneurs because it’s dope and it says the magic words FREE. Lol.
Overall, the event was cool and I’m so glad I went. S/O and Thank you to Anie Akpe-Lewis of IBOM LLC for sending me photos for this post. For more information, visit IBOM LLC www.ibomllc.com
And there it is. de la Pen. All Pen Everything.
P.S. For All Pen Everything…All the Time — Follow me on Twitter: @LoudPen, Foursquare: @LoudPen, Instagram: @LoudPen, and Tumblr: The Blogging PR Girl.
