African Diaspora Network (ADN) has received $45,000 from eBay to provide a platform for mentorship for African entrepreneurs through eBay Foundation’s 2019 Global Give grants.
Held in June, ADN was among the 24 winners selected to receive between $30,000 to $60,000 each from eBay Foundation’s $1 million Grant.
With the grant, ADN aims to provide a platform for mentorship for African entrepreneurs from its strong networks of African Diasporans and friends of Africa in Silicon Valley to catalyze economic opportunities for local and global impact, particularly among youth and women.
“African Diaspora Network is an organization that inspires, empowers, and brings together African entrepreneurs both in Silicon Valley and on the continent. The organization’s mission will change the way in which we think about entrepreneurial investments to create more jobs, wealth, and innovations, which are critical to developing economic stability on the African continent,” said Helen Kim, Vice President of Business Operations of Product and Technology at eBay, who led the eBay team that nominated ADN through Global Give.
Through its proposal “Innovation through Collective Collaboration,” ADN aims to create access to resources that foster partnership, knowledge-sharing, and advance investment opportunities.
“The partnership between ADN and eBay will strengthen the capacity of the organization to support ADN’s Builders of Africa’s Future,” says Almaz Negash, Founder and Executive Director of ADN. “We are delighted for this opportunity to collaborate with eBay employees.”Builders of Africa’s Future (BAF) is a program that showcases and supports select Africa-based entrepreneurs who run early-stage for-profit and nonprofits addressing Africa’s unique needs in health, education, energy, financial inclusion, and other sectors.
ADN’s will start with 7 to 10 African entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and seven to ten entrepreneurs on the continent to participate in the Global Give program in San Jose, CA via a three-month mentorship program involving hacking and panel discussions, networking, career advice, internships, and job opportunities.
