Norrsken East Africa (@norrskenEA) — posts, photos & videos | PeekX

Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

We are building Africa’s largest hub for entrepreneurs in Kigali, Rwanda.

Kigali norrsken.org/kigali Joined September 2020

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

What would it take for Africa to not just be a consumer of technology, but to design it?

Semiconductors power almost everything around us, from smartphones and cars to AI systems and intelligent devices. Yet much of the talent, infrastructure, and expertise needed to design these technologies still sits outside the continent. That’s the gap ChipMango is working to close.

Founded by Ola Fadiran, ChipMango is building semiconductor engineering talent while working on commercial chip design, verification, edge AI, and intelligent hardware. After recently raising $1.9M in seed funding, the company is expanding its engineering and product development across Africa, Europe, and the US, connecting more African engineers to the skills and real-world projects needed to build the technologies shaping what comes next.

We’re excited to have builders like ChipMango doing this work from within our community.

Want to be part of the solution? Become a Norrsken Kigali Member at norrsken.org/kigali.

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

This Wednesday, Stéphan Babou, founder of Product Move, will join us at Norrsken House Kigali to help busy founders and executives figure out where AI can be useful for their business and where it hinders growth.

If you and your team already use AI but you're feeling trapped and struggling with getting meaningful work done, this session is for you.

Wed. 30 Sept 2026
17:00 - 20:00
Norrsken House Kigali

Come with your questions. Seats are limited; please RSVP: events.norrsken.org/ai-office-hour…

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

Last Friday, we hosted The Good Food Mixer together with @_AfricanFood , to close the Africa Food Systems Forum.

Because some of the best conversations and meaningful connections happen outside the conference room.

Good food, good people, and a lot to talk about.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to @_AfricanFood for making it happen.

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

What makes a community isn’t where people meet, but what happens when they do.

Every quarter, we come together over breakfast to reconnect, share what we're building, exchange ideas, and strengthen the relationships that make this community what it is.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this quarter's Members' Breakfast.

Every conversation, every introduction, every connection is part of building something bigger than ourselves.

Want to be part of the solution?

Apply here: norrsken.org/houses/kigali#…

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

Onwards and up ❤️

GGGI Rwanda@GGGI_Rwanda · Sep 3

As @GGGI_Rwanda marked #10YearsOfPartnership with the Government of Rwanda, we also took a moment to recognize some of the partners who have helped shape this journey.

From Government institutions and development partners to private-sector actors, each partner has played a role in advancing Rwanda’s green growth and climate resilience agenda.

🏆 Green Growth Leadership Award, recognizing a decade of visionary partnership in anchoring and advancing Rwanda’s green growth journey:

🔹 Ministry of Infrastructure | @RwandaInfra
🔹 Ministry of Environment | @EnvironmentRw
🔹 Rwanda Environment Management Authority | @REMA_Rwanda

🌱 Green Growth Catalyst Award, recognizing partnerships that have helped unlock investment and accelerate action:

🔹 Rwanda Green Fund | @GreenFundRw, for our longstanding partnership in unlocking innovative and sustainable finance for Rwanda’s green growth.
🔹 Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, for our collaboration in advancing sustainable waste management and the circular economy.
🔹 Republic of South Korea, for catalytic support to green the New Kigali International Airport and establish a Super ESCO.

💡 Green Growth Innovative Partnership Award, recognizing partnerships that have brought new approaches and solutions to Rwanda’s climate agenda:

🔹 Government of Canada, for supporting the AI-powered IWACU GESI Monitoring Platform, which helps integrate and track gender-responsive climate action under Rwanda’s NDC 3.0 and other climate initiatives.
🔹 Government of Italy, for a longstanding and versatile partnership supporting Rwanda’s sustainable development.

♻️ First Mover Sustainability Award

🔹 @SkolRwanda Ltd, for its commitment to reducing environmental impacts, advancing more sustainable packaging through Virunga Water, introduced as Rwanda’s first locally produced water in returnable glass bottles.

🏢 Leadership in Green Buildings Award

🔹 Norrsken, for its commitment to creating a workspace that brings sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship together.

📣 Excellence in Green Growth Communication Award

🔹 @SpruikAgency, for its longstanding collaboration with GGGI in communicating green growth initiatives and helping bring Rwanda’s sustainability story to wider audiences.

To all the partners who have walked this journey with us: thank you for your trust, collaboration and commitment.

The journey continues, and so does our shared work to build a greener, more resilient Rwanda.

#10YearsOfPartnership #10YearsOfImpact #GreenGrowth #GreenRwanda🇷🇼🌿 #ClimateAction

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

Investing in Africa’s agri-food systems is how we get stronger and more resilient value chains, improve food security, create jobs, and support the next generation of innovation.

Some of the most consequential conversations about how to do this better are happening at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) this week in Kigali.

And we’re keeping the conversation going after hours.

Join our friends and us at the @_AfricanFood for The Good Food Mixer this Friday to strengthen connections from the AFS Forum, meet new friends and close the week at Kigali's biggest home for the builders creating the next phase of innovation.

Friday, September 4
17:30–20:00
Norrsken House Kigali

Register to attend: events.norrsken.org/the-good-food-…

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

Thinking about your next job in impact?

We’re looking for a Technical Associate to join Norrsken House Kigali for a two-year, full-time role.

You’ll work closely with founders to understand what their ventures need, connect them with the right experts, turn those needs into clear action plans, and keep the work moving.

If you’re organised, curious about startups and investment, comfortable juggling a few moving pieces, and happiest when there’s something to figure out, this might be your kind of role.

Along the way, you’ll build experience across venture support, investment readiness, and blended finance, while working alongside founders and changemakers at Norrsken House Kigali.

If working at the heart of impact sounds like the kind of work you’d like to devote energy to, apply here: careers.norrskenfoundation.org/jobs/8293532-t…

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

Not every business needs the same kind of capital. And not every founder is ready to raise it.

Yesterday, together with OPX Partners (a leading Nordic management consulting firm working), we brought founders together to unpack what it really means to prepare for investment. We explored the different types of financing available, how to identify the right fit for your stage, what belongs in a pitch deck, and what happens after an investor says "yes." One message came through clearly: investors aren't looking for the most polished slides. They're looking for founders who know their business.

Can you clearly articulate your vision? Does your team have the right capabilities? Do your numbers tell a consistent story? And, most importantly, are you solving a problem people are willing to pay for? The conversation also covered common founder and investor red flags, what to expect during due diligence, and how to build investor relationships that create value long after the funding round closes.

A big thank you to the OPX Partners team for sharing their experience, and to every founder who showed up. More like these to come. Stay tuned.

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

Some of the biggest companies in the world today failed. More than once. We know how their stories ended. We rarely talk about what it took to get there.

Failure isn’t the part we usually put on stage. But it’s often the part that does the building.

Last night, we hosted our first F** Up Night at Norrsken House Kigali, an evening for honest conversations about the moments that test entrepreneurs along the way.

We opened with a fireside chat with Dr. Helen Gizachew, Co-founder of Ambucycle, and Uwase Christella, Founder of Bountiful Farmers' Markets, moderated by Sangwa Sabine Chelsea, Project Manager at Impact Hub Kigali. They shared the realities behind building startups, the challenges, setbacks, and moments that shaped their journeys.

Then, the open mic brought to light the realities of running out of money because financial fundamentals were missing, trusting the wrong people, borrowing from their own businesses without a plan to recover, building products for years without charging customers, and learning the hard way that a great product still needs great marketing.

Different stories. Different journeys. One shared reality: failure is part of building.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, listened, and shared their F** Ups.

And a special thank you to our partners @WSH_Kigali, @Jasiri4Africa, and @ImpactHubKigali.

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

Norrsken House Kigali got a very special visit this Tuesday.

As he's touring #Rwanda to learn more about the country's progress in health, agriculture, and digital public infrastructure, @BillGates stopped by for a conversation with some of Kigali's most ambitious builders, leaders, the institutions shaping Rwanda’s innovation ecosystem, and our partners at the Ministry of ICT & Innovation, Rwanda, and the Rwanda Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

A big thank you to Bill for his curiosity and visit to our ecosystem.

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Ministry of ICT and Innovation | Rwanda@RwandaICT · Jul 22

The delegation also toured live demonstrations showcasing the future of digital innovation in Africa @norrskenEA ; before joining a conversation with MoS @yves_Iradukunda, @AmbucycleRW's Founder Dr Loza and @DUmuganda CEO @n_audace, on the transformative potential of AI. Addressing the young founders and entrepreneurs in the room, Bill Gates shared insights on building impactful innovations and harnessing AI, partnerships, and local talent to create solutions that drive inclusive growth.

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

This summer, there's plenty happening at Norrsken House Kigali. Here's what's coming up over the next few weeks.

AI Product Management | 17–18 July

Join Stephan Babou for a two-day, hands-on training on AI product management. Together, we'll explore how AI is changing the way products are built, tested, and shipped. The training is designed for tech professionals looking to build practical skills, with 100 participants joining the programme.

Apply to attend: productmove.com/kigali-ai-pm-2…

Community F** Up Night | 29 July

Everyone has a story about something that didn't go to plan.
Together with @WSH_Kigali, we're bringing F** Up Night to Norrsken House Kigali for an evening of honest conversations about failure, and what we'd do differently. Come listen, share, and maybe save yourself from making the same mistakes.

Apply to attend: luma.com/1baf1nk9

Thursday Fusion: Open Mic Night | 20 August

Join us for an evening of music, poetry, comedy, and spoken word as some of Kigali's favourite creatives take the stage. Come to perform or simply show your support. We'd love to have you with us for an unforgettable evening, together with our friends at Nexxus Rwanda.

Apply to attend: events.norrsken.org/thursday-fusio…

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

AI is no longer a future advantage. It’s a tool entrepreneurs can use today.

Join us for Office Hours with Chris Kagabe — AI Engineer, Founder of Lian Pay, and former Expert AI Trainer at OpenAI.

In this hands-on session, Chris will break down how startups can leverage AI to work smarter, move faster, and unlock new opportunities for growth.

Together, we'll explore:

→ Building tailored AI-powered tools and workflows
→ Automating repetitive tasks to save time
→ Making AI work optimally for your startup
→ Monetization pathways and business opportunities with AI

It's okay if you're completely new to AI or already experimenting with it; you'll leave with practical insights you can apply immediately.

Apply to attend: events.norrsken.org/norrsken-offic…

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

Cairo tells it as it is—unfiltered.

Whether it's about who's building real, tangible solutions with AI, or who's just riding the hype wave.

Last week, we convened 150+ of the brilliant minds who work in one of Africa's most dynamic innovation ecosystems, for an evening of sharp conversation, good food, and meeting new friends/co-builders.

Special thanks to our partners for helping bring this to life.

Up next? Deep Layers of Progress at Impact Sessions Lagos, Africa's startup capital?

#AnaraImpactCapital | @GlobalVC_MENA, @wegrowwithc3 | @Delta40_Studio

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

What does progress mean for a city where millions of people call home?

What does impact mean for the economic centre of gravity for Africa’s 2nd largest economy, and the home of unmatched entrepreneurial energy in the region?

Welcome to our biggest Impact Sessions yet... Here's to Impact Sessions Cairo, in 3, 2, 1...

Action 🥂

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

How do we unlock Africa's $4 trillion in domestic capital to tackle our continent's biggest challenges?

According to Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Africa needs roughly $400 billion annually to transform the continent structurally. And we have $4 trillion in domestic savings and assets across banks, pension funds, insurers, and sovereign funds.

Some of the biggest debates this year have been around how to unlock some of this capital to back ambitious projects and builders on the continent. And we're proud that from Kigali, Norrsken member @aakifmerchant, Director and Head of Africa at Convergence Blended Finance, is already doing some of that work by helping fund managers unlock domestic capital by financing the cost of creating and deploying innovative capital in different countries all over Africa.

Aakif's work is one part of the wave of capital mobilisation that is building momentum across the continent. And we, of course, are excited to see the solutions that are all coming together!

Want to be part of the solution?

Become a Norrsken member – norrsken.org/kigali

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

Founders’ Friday is baaaaaack!!

This month, we are celebrating women entrepreneurs and builders across our ecosystem.

HerWork will bring together bold founders, builders, creatives, and operators who are shaping industries and driving meaningful impact.

What to expect:

A full-day pop-up market featuring some of your favourite women-led/owned brands in Kigali

Our signature Founders’ Friday networking mixer and partyyyy!

* 29th May 2026
* From 3 PM to 6 PM
* Norrsken House Kigali

Apply to attend: events.norrsken.org/herwork

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

Last Thursday, @LaurenNkuranga joined business owners at Norrsken House Kigali for a Norrsken Session to discuss some of the questions that sit underneath the surface of every early and growing company. Things like…

How do you raise capital without losing sight of what the business actually needs?

How do you know which capital fits, and which capital will cost more than it gives?

And how do you build the operational muscle to carry the ambition?

The conversation went into the details that founders often have to figure out quietly. The tradeoffs. The pressure. The decisions that look simple from the outside, but shape everything once you are inside the business.

Thank you, Lauren, for leading the room with clarity and openness.

And thank you to everyone who came ready to think out loud. You loved it so much, so we’re bringing it back soon. Stay tuned.

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

Good news for founders!

Angaza Capital, one of our friends and a Norrsken House Kigali member, is launching a new investment vehicle to back the bold entrepreneurs building the future of biotech and life science innovation from Rwanda.

Financed by the European Union’s TEI MAV+ and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Angaza will invest between €100K and €300K in founders with validated proof of concept, as well as international companies looking to expand into the Rwandan market and scale operations locally.

Exciting times for East Africa’s growing bio-economy startups are here!

Learn more at angazacapital.com

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

We’re excited to welcome Lauren Nkuranga for a Norrsken Session!

Lauren Nkuranga is a serial entrepreneur and investor with over a decade of experience building businesses at the intersection of Africa’s growth story and global capital. She is the founder of GET IT, Rwanda’s largest fresh food and hospitality distribution company.

Lauren previously served as Chief Advisor to the Chairman & CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, where she led privatisation and priority investment attraction initiatives. She also served as the Founding Board President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Rwanda and currently serves as Vice Chairman at Rwanda Farmers’ Coffee Company (Gorilla’s Coffee).

Apply to attend: events.norrsken.org/norrsken-sessi…

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Norrsken East Africa

@norrskenEA

In 2019, Norrsken Kigali member Africa's Business Heroes was created to back founders taking on some of the hardest problems on the continent — with equity-free capital.

Each year, 10 finalists share USD 1.5 million in grant funding, with the top winner receiving up to USD 300,000. From climate to commerce, healthcare to logistics, these are businesses shaped by powerful local contexts, new technology, and conviction. And behind each one is the story of a founder choosing to stay close to the problem long enough to change it.

We asked Zahra Baitie-Boateng, Managing Director at Africa’s Business Heroes (@africa_heroes), to share one of those stories, to inspire you to get building!

And if you already are, maybe this is your sign to step forward and apply to be part of the next group helping to shape what comes next.

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