Lecture
LeidenASA Lecture: Inclusive growth and venture capital in Africa
- Date
- Tuesday 26 March 2024
- Time
- Address
- Pieter de la Courtgebouw
Wassenaarseweg 52
2333 AK Leiden - Room
- 5.A29
Speaker: Wim van der Beek, founder and managing partner of Goodwell Investments, followed by a discussion, and Q&A.
Discussants: Prof. Chibuike Uche (ASCL), Victoria Manya (ASCL, tbc).
Convenors: Dr. David Ehrhardt (FGGA), Prof. Marleen Dekker (ASCL).
Africa is often presented as the continent of the future: young, dynamic, and full of innovative potential. But what does this innovation look like, and where is it happening? Which companies can harness it to promote inclusive growth and sustainable development, and how can external parties identify “winners” and support them in an effective and equitable way? In this seminar, Wim van der Beek will share his insights on these questions, drawing on decades of experience as a venture-capital investor across the African continent. He will provide an overview of the most promising innovation centers in different parts of Africa and discuss what kinds of start-ups he thinks have the greatest potential for social impact. He will explain how private-sector investors identify high-potential business ideas and develop effective collaboration and governance structures to promote social impact as well as financial returns. In all this, Wim van der Beek will highlight the crucial role of contextual business knowledge, technology, local expertise, and a supporting ecosystem for successful startups.
About the speaker
As the founder and managing partner of Goodwell Investments, Wim van der Beek has over 20 years of experience in investing in and supporting fast-growing businesses in emerging markets, especially in financial services and other impact sectors. Goodwell Investments has invested in 35+ innovative companies in India and Africa that reach over 322 million people across 47 countries globally. These fast-growing inclusive companies serve smallholders, households and small businesses with basic products, services and livelihood opportunities across the financial services, mobility and logistics sectors, agriculture, and other impact sectors. Wim van der Beek has extensive expertise in venture capital, private equity, corporate finance, and investments, as well as a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in inclusive growth.
Registration required: LeidenASA@asc.leidenuniv.nl.
Photo: blk24ga (via Wikimedia Commons).
This lecture is organised by the Leiden African Studies Assembly (LeidenASA).