Founder Conversations: building across African markets
- Date
- Date to be confirmed
- Location
- Online joining link shared on registration
- Registration
- To be announced
From Diaspora Ambition to Africa Enterprise
Your ambition can build more than an idea
BuildCon connects Africans in the diaspora with experienced founders, practical market knowledge and a community that helps turn Africa-focused business ambition into informed action.
A founder activation platform not just another conference.
The problem
The ambition exists. The bridge is missing.
Across the diaspora, many Africans have the skills, capital, networks and desire to build on the continent. What often stands between aspiration and action is trusted access to founders who have done it, local market context, practical guidance and a community that keeps momentum alive.
BuildCon exists to close that gap.
What BuildCon does
Four pillars, one purpose.
Bridge, build, transfer, multiply. Each one is a working commitment, not a slogan.
01
Bridge
Connect diaspora ambition with credible people, markets and opportunities.
02
Build
Move ideas towards validation, clear decisions and practical next steps.
03
Transfer
Turn experienced founders' knowledge into structured mentorship.
04
Multiply
Support ventures that can create jobs, investment and wider community value.
How it works
A four-step journey.
- 01
Apply
Tell us about your ambition, experience and the opportunity you want to explore.
- 02
Connect
Meet experienced founders, mentors and peers who understand the journey.
- 03
Validate
Test assumptions through market insight, structured sessions and practical assignments.
- 04
Build the next step
Finish with a focused 90-day action plan and a credible path forward.
The 90-Day Programme
A 90-day journey from intention to informed action.
The pilot programme brings together a curated group of approximately ten aspiring founders alongside experienced founders and mentors. Small by design, so the work stays specific to each venture.
- Founder-led masterclasses
- One-to-one and group mentorship
- Market validation
- Peer accountability
- Business model development
- Africa market intelligence
- Trusted introductions
- A practical 90-day action plan
- End-of-programme showcase
Who it is for
Four audiences. One community.
Validate your market and leave with a 90-day action plan or help someone else do it.
Aspiring founders
You have an idea, skill, network or capital and want to build in Africa. BuildCon gives you market insight, mentorship, trusted connections and accountability.
Apply to BuildExperienced founders and mentors
You have built successfully on the continent. BuildCon turns that experience into structured mentorship for founders who need it.
Become a MentorInvestors and sponsors
You want access to a better-prepared pipeline of diaspora-led ventures, and visibility with a serious founder community.
Explore the OpportunityEcosystem partners
Corporates, professional-service firms, governments, universities and accelerators supporting diaspora-led enterprise.
Partner With UsOutcomes
Progress should be visible and measurable.
These are the pilot programme's success measures. They are targets, not results. We will publish verified outcomes once a cohort has completed the programme.
- Target 01Participants progressing to the next phase of their venture
- Target 02Business ideas tested or validated
- Target 03Relevant founder and market connections created
- Target 04Participants willing to recommend BuildCon
- Target 05Mentors willing to continue supporting founders
- Target 06Sustainable value exchange between founders, mentors and partners
Events
Founder conversations that lead somewhere.
BuildCon Founder Dinner London
- Date
- Date to be confirmed
- Location
- London venue to be confirmed
- Registration
- Invitation only
Country Visit: market immersion
- Date
- Dates to be confirmed
- Location
- Country to be confirmed
- Registration
- Invitation only
Partnership
Help build a stronger pipeline of diaspora-led African enterprise.
Partner with BuildCon to provide aspiring founders with credible knowledge, networks, market access and practical support.
Programme sponsorship
Fund cohort delivery, mentorship coordination and participant support.
Knowledge partnership
Contribute market research, legal, tax, regulatory or sector expertise.
Market-access partnership
Open routes to customers, distribution, suppliers or local operating support.
Venue or event partnership
Host founder dinners, masterclasses, showcases or conference sessions.
Professional-services support
Provide company formation, banking, accounting, IP or advisory support.
Investment and founder opportunities
Meet prepared founders early and follow their progress through the programme.