We Inspire
We light a fire in young people… by training them to see opportunities that others miss, giving them the confidence to view themselves as entrepreneurs not employees and job creators instead of job seekers. We do it by delivering a best-in-class leadership and entrepreneurship program.
We Invest
We go all in … by providing a full life-cycle of support to the most promising entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses. We do it through tailored coaching, skills building, expert mentorship, seed funding, and facilitating connections within and across industries.
We Transform
We go big … by positioning young entrepreneurs to tackle tough problems in key sectors and channeling their talent into innovative, private sector-led solutions. We do this through the Kosmos Innovation Center’s distinctive focus on commercial solutions and local knowledge.
Ghana
Established in 2016, Kosmos Innovation Center Ghana is helping to breathe new life into agriculture, transforming it into an engine of growth and job creation.
Mauritania
Launched in 2018, the Kosmos Innovation Center Mauritania is helping young, entrepreneurial Mauritanians develop the skills to turn ideas into reality.
Senegal
Kosmos Innovation Center Senegal is helping young business leaders in Senegal develop the technical skills needed to grow successful and sustainable businesses.
Kosmos Innovation Center
The Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) invests in young entrepreneurs and small businesses who have big ideas and want to see their country grow.
Friday FAQ: I have a great idea but no team. How do I find the right partners?
Most young entrepreneurs wait for a "complete" team before they take their first step. They spend months looking for a technical co-founder or a marketing expert before they have even tested their assumptions. Building a business is not about filling seats on a bus that is not moving yet; it is about finding people who are willing to help you push it.
The best way to attract partners is to show momentum. High-quality collaborators are rarely looking for an idea; they are looking for a project that is already gaining speed. If you have done the initial research, spoken to potential customers, and built a basic prototype on your own, you become a magnet for talent. People want to join a mission that is already in motion.
Avoid the mistake of partnering with friends just because they are available. A team built on convenience rather than complementary skills often collapses under pressure. Look for people who challenge your thinking and fill your knowledge gaps. If you are a visionary, find someone who is obsessed with operations and details. If you are a builder, find someone who can sell.
Trust is the most valuable currency in a startup. Instead of jumping into a long-term legal partnership immediately, try a trial period. Work together on a small, specific task or a one-week pilot project to see how you handle stress and disagreement. A strong team is forged through shared work, not just shared dreams. Your goal is to find individuals who are as committed to the problem as you are.
We're all customers, so you'd think that we'd have a clear understanding of what it is that customers want - but that's not always the case. Take a refresher in what matters most to your customers.
We're all customers, so you'd think that we'd have a clear understanding of what it is that customers want - but that's not always the case. Take a refresher in what matters most to your customers.