#DemoAfrica2015: 35 Quotes guaranteed to inspire to think Africa

With hundreds of investors, industry leaders, technocrats, government representatives, and startups discussing disruptive innovation at one event, DEMO Africa 2015 was indeed a place to be inspired. As some of the best minds in Africa and around the world took turns to speak, words of wisdom and insight flowed through out the event. Here’s a look at some of the best quotes captured in tweets using the official hashtag, #DemoAfrica2015

Tips from successful startup founders to fresh startups
“Understand the unit economics of your business perfectly and learn how to spend money to make more money” - Mark Essien (Founder of hotels.ng)

“A strong team is any businesses best asset, determine your team’s DNA” – Sayu Abend (CEO of SpacePointe)

“Do your research and pick your investor, not every investor is right for you. Not all open doors are the right doors” - Sayu Abend

“Be the first investor in your business, if you can’t do so, why should anyone else?” - Sayu Abend

 â€œAs a techpreneur, do your due diligence well and understand your unique selling points. This is one of the key points investors want to hear when you pitch.” - Sayu Abend

“Ensure you are constantly increasing the value of your business.” - Mark Essien

“When pitching for investment, don't ask for more than you need.” - Sayu Abend

Our Africa, our land of opportunities
“Complexity brings opportunity for Africans. Africa is ready to explode for good!” - Dotun Olowoporoku

“Story telling began in Africa and it will carry the tech revolution to the world.”- Candace Johnson

“Africa is rising despite policy challenges and falling oil prices. Information and Communications Technology is at the crest of this rise.” – Dr. Omobola Johnson; Former Minister of Communications Technology.

“Africa is crying out for entrepreneurial leaders & for leaders who are entrepreneurial” - Onyi Anyado

“Problems and opportunities are sides of one coin, young people must learn how to flip it.” - Mr. George Thorpe

“Data is one of the untapped natural resources in Africa.” – Dr. Osamiluyi – Chief IBM Researcher, Africa

 On ideas
“Great ideas don't always lead to Great businesses” – Anonymous

“An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.” - Oscar Wilde.

“There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.” - Victor Hugo

“Changing the world doesn't mean working towards changing 1 billion people. You can begin by changing a small community” - Anonymous

 On Scaling
“In preparation for scaling, standardize repeating tasks into processes. Things start to fall apart when you try to scale your business without building a process driven operation structure”- Mark Essien

“African entrepreneurs need to innovate around both product offering and scaling of their business” - Mobolaji Adeoye, CEO, Kuramo Capital

“Competition is not where you are, it is global and it will come for you. Techpreneurs need to know this” - Aaron Fu

“In building your business, you have to think 'barrier-less' and plan for growth from onset” - Candace Johnson

“Entrepreneurs in Africa should consider going global, and not just their local markets.”- Aaron Fu

On Entrepreneurship
“A recent brain study revealed that entrepreneurs and serial killers have similar traits” - Mr. Yele Okeremi; LOC Chairman, DEMO Africa.

“The only attribute that differentiates an entrepreneur from everyone else is the ability to overcome obstacles “- Mr. Yele Okeremi

“Nature or Nurture, are people born entrepreneurs or taught to be one? If human beings can learn to swim, then they can learn to do anything. So, yes you can teach entrepreneurship” – Mr. Yele Okeremi

“Being an entrepreneur is to bring about change. Think big!"- Candace Johnson

“Entrepreneurship is a long hard road. Be flexible. Be open. Plan to fail.” – Dr. Omobola Johnson

“Entrepreneurs must learn to pivot” – Anonymous

“About half of what separates most successful entrepreneurs from non-successful ones is pure perseverance” – Anonymous

“Never underestimate the ability of a small group of people, dedicated to changing the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has” – Anonymous

“Strategic planning, adequate information and effective management are important factors for a successful enterprise.”- Anonymous

 On Technology

“Contrary to what people say, technology is creating jobs not taking them.”– Mr. Yele Okeremi

“Technology is gradually taking us to the Garden of Eden where everything works seamlessly.” - Yele Okeremi

“People who lost their jobs to technology, were simply too lazy to learn the new ways of getting work done” – Anonymous

“The technology solutions showcased at DEMO are cracking social local problems and that’s a global impact.” Helen Anatoguo, CEO IDEA HUB

Source: https://infographicsnigeria.com/demoafrica2015-35-quotes-guaranteed-inspire-think-africa/