The Beyond the Known conference is an informal community of practice bringing together a diverse range of practitioners working in the field of MSME promotion.
It aims at sharing new and innovative solutions in the field of entrepreneurship and enterprise development.
The event has a unique focus to facilitate peer learning and exchange of experiences among MSME development practices.
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum
World Bank Development Research Group, Finance and Private Sector Development Unit.
La Laiterie du Berger, a company dedicated to promoting locally produced milk in Senegal.
The event aims to gather practitioners engaged in entrepreneurship promotion, such as:
This track aims to: showcase different ways productive entrepreneurial communities have grown; show participants that ecosystems are everywhere, even if they are at an early stage; and spark ideas and connections for participants to nurture ecosystems that enable entrepreneurs to succeed and generate employment.
This track aims to: showcase best practices regarding effective combinations of financial and NFS or business development support services; reflect on the role of new technologies and tools in this domain, and debate on local skills and training-support programs needed in emerging markets.
This track aims to: critically reflect on different ways of doing entrepreneurship promotion to achieve more concrete impacts on equality and environmental sustainability. If we keep promoting entrepreneurship the way it is being done, aren't we contributing to the depletion of natural resources and to an unequal society?
A quick pitch from the leaders of the three tracks:
• Track 1: Achieving Dynamic and Resilient Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
• Track 2: Accelerating MSME access to financial services through new technologies and skills development program
• Track 3: Challenging inclusiveness and environmental sustainability in entrepreneurship promotion
Parminder Vir will invite to the stage and interview three personalities of the entrepreneurship sector:
• David McKenzie (Lead Economist in the WB Development Research Group)
• Bagoré Bathily (Entrepreneur & founder of La Laiterie du Berger)
• Irene Ochem (CEO Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum)
The three keynote speakers will respond to questions and reflect on comments from the public in an open discussion session.
With a quick overview of the two days of solutions sessions
Strengthen dialogue and collaboration among MSME development practitioners on best practices and innovative solutions for entrepreneurship support.
Expand the network of the emerging entrepreneurship community of practice by facilitating participation of practitioners from the Global South.
Consolidate knowledge on best practices and innovative solutions among government, private sector and development organizations on entrepreneurship and MSME promotion.
Formats reflect the diverse ways in which the event supports peer learning and exchange of experiences for all MSEMs stakeholders. Sessions are designed to inspire, create new practices, showcase bold solutions, engage and debate. Making sure that active participation fully connects you with new insights, shaping the future of MSMEs.
