Necessity is the Mother of Invention || #MentorSpotlight with Guy Cherni
“Israel’s agenda of entrepreneurship out of necessity is comparable to countries in Africa. Collaboration between the countries will benefit both sides and change the world for a lot of people.” — Guy Cherni
A bit about Guy
Guy, a born and raised Jerusalemite, is passionate about looking at economics from a social impact standpoint rather than solely a monetary one. After a brief post- college, community-work trip to Ethiopia, Guy has returned to Africa as manager of 42Kura, the first Israeli-Rwandan startup program for African startups.
What do Israel and Rwanda have in common?
Every innovation must answer a need. Rwanda, a landlocked country with limited resources must turn to tech for they have no other options. Israel, a country in the dessert had to innovate to build a country. It’s about the need as well as not having any other option.
Necessity. Is the common factor between Israel and Rwanda.
As the phrase “necessity is the mother of invention” suggests, the driving force behind most new inventions is need. Much of the innovation seen in the developing world solves real-world problems.
In this case, innovation isn’t as much about good design, speed, or glamour; it’s about solving a real problem in the most efficient and effective way - something Israel and Israeli entrepreneurs have mastered.
As former program manager of Siftech and building block of the Jerusalem ecosystem, Guy knows a thing or two about connecting people and recourses in order to create a thriving community.
42Kura
Guy launched the Rwanda based program, 42Kura (kura meaning growth in Rwandan) in January 2016 with his project partners. 42Kura’s goal is to work with the local Rwandan ecosystem while spinning in an Israeli touch. Because the two communities innovate out of necessity, their thinking and motives are similar.
42kura is scouting for interesting companies from the Rwandan ecosystem to mold them with the Israeli ecosystem partners. Together they’re building great products that can better the local market and the world as a whole.
Co-innovation
Guy talks about the power of co-innovation and says that 42Kura aims to scale African startups by incorporating the Israeli “Startup Nation” experience together with Rwanda’s budding startup ecosystem.
Having been involved in the Israeli ecosystem for many years, Guy and his partners utilize their network of mentors, VC’s, and other entrepreneurs to assist the startups in 42Kura.
With the mentors’ experience and guidance, the entrepreneurs are able to improve their product, develop their network, and raise capital more effectively. “Whether through video chat or phone, the collaboration is really paying off,” Guy says.
By taking Rwanda, a budding startup hub and pairing it with Israel, the “Startup Nation,” and through collaboration and innovation, Guy and his partners hope to improve welfare in Africa and other developing countries.
