Thrive Development Initiative

🌍 ONE WEEK ON | ICIW 2026 ENTREPRENEURSHIP FORUM

One week after the inaugural Innovation & Capital Investment Week (ICIW 2026), we reflect on a conversation at the heart of our vision: entrepreneurship as a driver of Botswana’s economic transformation.

Transformation must move beyond policy into businesses, jobs, skills, investment, locally developed technologies and opportunities for women, youth, persons with disabilities, SMMEs and communities.

That thinking shaped our theme: Equity. Innovation. Opportunity for All.

🎙️ We began with Dr. Thandi Katlholo, Founder of ICIW and Founder & Managing Director of TDI, reflecting on the lived realities behind entrepreneurship and building ICIW.

Behind the polished pitch can be rejection, uncertainty, financial pressure, exhaustion and starting again. Entrepreneurs need more than motivation — they need capacity, tools, networks, visibility and pathways to opportunity.

🍊 The Forum was also enriched by the presence of Mr. Theo Motsisi, Senior Developer, Innovation Ecosystem Leader & Coding School Trainer at Orange Digital Center Botswana, who weighed into the conversation drawing from his experience working within the innovation ecosystem and supporting entrepreneurs and emerging technology talent.

His contribution reinforced the importance of creating ecosystems where entrepreneurs can access skills, technology, networks and practical support to turn ideas into viable businesses.
🤖 Mr. Courtney Doutherd, Executive Director of Botswana Generative Cognition and Managing Director of Beyond, challenged us to think bigger about AI, entrepreneurship and the future of work.

The opportunity is not only to use AI to improve productivity and reduce hidden costs. African entrepreneurs can build businesses from AI, create intellectual property, develop solutions grounded in African realities and compete globally.

Africa should not only consume AI. Africa can build, innovate and lead. 🌍🤖

🧠 Ruby Sechele, Founder of Executive Burnout, brought another dimension: “You are the asset.”

What followed was a rich audience conversation about the realities entrepreneurs face — answering business calls on weekends, struggling to switch off, family, boundaries, digital overload, exercise, nutrition and rest.

A nutrition professional reminded us that entrepreneurs invest in technology, teams and ideas, yet sometimes neglect the person expected to perform. Another audience contribution raised the responsibility of employers to create environments that support mental wellbeing.

We cannot build sustainable businesses without sustaining the people building them.

💡 Bobo Sentsima, Co-Founder & CEO of NiTech Industries, brought Botswana innovation to the stage through our Startup Spotlight, showcasing POWAMOV and The Ecosphere and asking a powerful question: What if our infrastructure could work harder for us?

This was why the Spotlight mattered: entrepreneurs should not only hear about Botswana’s transformation — they need platforms to demonstrate the solutions they are building to deliver it.

With Keabetswe Setlhogile as Technical Moderator and Swift Mpoloka as MC, the Forum moved from capacity building and reflection to networking, and then to the Startup World Cup Botswana Regional Finale. 🚀

Capacity → AI → Founder Wellbeing → Innovation → Networks → Investment → Global Opportunity.

One week later, the work continues: turning conversations into action, connections into partnerships, ideas into enterprises — and ICIW into an ecosystem.

Equity. Innovation. Opportunity for All. 🇧🇼🌍
Dream Bold. Build Beyond Borders. 🚀

ICIW 2026 Day 1 Reflection: From Energy Transition to Economic Transformation

The Mining and Energy Innovation Forum, held on 18 August 2026 at SKMTH Main Auditorium, Gaborone, explored how Botswana can convert its natural resources, renewable-energy potential and human capital into productive enterprises, competitive industries, jobs and higher-value exports.

The morning session also marked the official opening of Innovation & Capital Investment Week 2026 and the Startup World Cup Botswana Regional Programme.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship delivered the official opening address, demonstrating the Ministry’s commitment to the purpose and vision of ICIW 2026 and Startup World Cup Botswana regional 2026. The address also recognised the importance of regional and global partnerships, while appreciating the private-sector collaborators whose financial, technical and in-kind contributions made the programme possible amid economic-transformation and implementation challenges.

The Ministry’s engagement emphasised the need to transform Botswana from a job-seeking economy into one driven by entrepreneurship, innovation, local enterprise and job creation. Priorities included strengthening the innovation ecosystem, commercialising research, protecting intellectual property, building stronger industry–education partnerships and sustaining a permanent platform through which emerging entrepreneurs can develop and commercialise their ideas.

From megawatts to economic value

In his keynote, Amb. Dr. Seleshi Bekele Awulachew, former Ethiopian Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy and a Renewable Energy Africa Champion under the REN21 Renewable Energy Champions Initiative, challenged participants to view renewable energy as an economic-transformation strategy—not only an electricity or climate programme.

The central question is no longer simply how many megawatts of renewable energy Botswana can install. It is what kind of economy Botswana can build with those megawatts.

Renewable energy can:

Power mines and mineral beneficiation;
Support irrigation, agro-processing and cold chains;
Operate water-pumping and treatment systems;
Supply industrial parks and digital infrastructure;
Enable electric mobility and regional power trade; and
Create enterprises in engineering, construction, installation, maintenance, storage, finance, insurance and digital-energy services.

This is the foundation of a renewables-based economy—one in which affordable, reliable and clean energy becomes a platform for productivity, competitiveness and economic diversification.

Mining as an anchor for renewable industrialisation

Mining can provide concentrated and potentially creditworthy demand for renewable electricity. This creates a pathway from:

Clean power → competitive mining → mineral beneficiation → manufacturing → higher-value exports.

Botswana should therefore ask not only how renewable energy can support mining, but also how mining demand can accelerate renewable-energy investment and support domestic value addition.

The opportunity is to move beyond exporting raw minerals into other countries’ clean-energy industries. Botswana can use its renewable resources to process minerals, develop local capabilities, build enterprises and participate more competitively in regional and global value chains.

Renewable generation must be supported by complete systems

The global transition has shown that increasing generation capacity is only one part of the solution. Renewable-energy expansion must be coordinated with:

Transmission and distribution infrastructure;
Battery storage and system flexibility;
Modern substations and digital system management;
Credible and transparent procurement;
Financially sustainable utilities;
Bankable investment structures;
Skilled institutions and technical professionals; and
Regional integration through the Southern African Power Pool.

A solar panel produces electricity. A well-designed energy system produces competitiveness.

Grid and off-grid solutions should not be treated as competing approaches. Large interconnected systems are essential for mines, cities, manufacturing and regional trade, while mini-grids, commercial and industrial solar, solar irrigation and storage can serve remote communities and productive enterprises more quickly.

Measuring more than installed capacity

Success should not be measured only in megawatts or avoided carbon emissions. It should also be measured through:

Enterprises established;
Jobs created;
Farms and mines supplied with reliable energy;
Minerals processed locally;
New skills and capabilities developed;
Imports replaced;
Regional exports generated; and
Communities benefiting from productive energy use.

The forum proposed moving from a conventional renewable-energy project pipeline to a Renewables-Based Economy Pipeline covering opportunities such as solar-plus-mining, mineral beneficiation, irrigation, cold chains, water services, tourism, industrial parks, digital infrastructure and storage.

For each opportunity, four practical questions should guide development:

Where is the productive demand?
What infrastructure is missing?
Which policy or market bottleneck is preventing investment?
What is required to make the opportunity bankable?

This is how conference dialogue can be converted into an investment and implementation programme.

Building resilience and global competitiveness

Judy Zakreski, Senior Vice President for Global Operations and Solutions at the International Code Council and Co-Chair of the UNEP GlobalABC Adaptation Working Group, demonstrated how standards, quality infrastructure and effective regulation can protect people and assets while supporting investment, insurance, resilience and global market access.

Her contribution emphasised that adopting regulations is only the first step. Effective implementation requires trained inspectors, plan-review capacity, product testing, certification, conformity assessment and coordinated enforcement.

Our technical contributors

We acknowledge:

Nancy Kgengwenyane, who framed the discussion on critical minerals, inclusive value chains and a just transition;
Tshepiso Masilonyane, who examined sustainable-finance models for industrial value chains and biodiversity economies;
Dr Marian Taimu, who addressed market intelligence for renewable-energy innovation, investment and competitiveness;
Judy Zakreski, who connected standards, resilience, compliance and international market access;
Keleadile Ruda, who led the discussion on sustainable energy, resilient infrastructure and global competitiveness;
Kgolo Oratile Hebert Amos, who presented innovation opportunities in mining rehabilitation and waste management; and
Amb. Dr. Seleshi Bekele Awulachew, who connected renewable-energy development with enterprise, industry, trade and long-term prosperity.

We thank Swift, the ICIW 2026 Master of Ceremonies, for professionally guiding the programme and sustaining participant engagement.

Our sincere appreciation also goes to BONELA, our Inclusion Partner, for supporting inclusive participation and providing refreshments for participants.

The message from Day 1 was clear:

Sunlight → electricity → productivity → enterprise → industry → trade → prosperity and resilience.

The ultimate measure of Botswana’s energy transition will not simply be how much renewable energy is installed, but the new economy that abundant, affordable and reliable energy makes possible.

🏆 STARTUP WORLD CUP BOTSWANA REGIONAL 2026 | THE COURAGE TO DREAM 🇧🇼🚀

As we reflect on the Startup World Cup Botswana Regional Finale, we celebrate not only our champion, but every entrepreneur who had the courage to apply, show up and put their dream forward.

🥇 Orion X (Uhuru AI) — Botswana Regional Champion
🥈 First-Aid Counselling(FAC) — 1st Runner-Up
🥉 Fusion Attire — 2nd Runner-Up

Also taking the stage were Heavenly Mum Care Packages(HMCP), Smart Vegtech Farming (SmartSubstrate) and TiroStamp.
Formal.AI, Tapiwa Moffat our Reserve Finalist, also stepped forward and had the opportunity to pitch.

We equally recognise Avolv Energy Technologies, Masuku Gold Beverages, FORECHEM05 Solutions and Hekhani Seeds, who made our Top 10 but unfortunately could not pitch due to logistical challenges.

🔥 And our judges did not make it easy!

The questions were tough and probing — challenging our founders on their business models, markets, traction, scalability, financial sustainability and the strength of their solutions.

But our bold dreamers pulled it off!

They thought on their feet, defended their businesses and demonstrated the confidence and resilience required to stand before investors and compete beyond Botswana.

For TDI, this was an emotional moment. Every entrepreneur who applied is already a winner in our eyes for taking that important first step and having the courage to say: “My idea deserves an opportunity.”

Unfortunately, a competition can have only one champion, and we proudly congratulate OrionX (Uhuru AI) as they begin their journey into the global Startup World Cup ecosystem.

To First-Aid Counselling and Fusion Attire, who came so close — keep going. Let this be fuel for the next investor, next partnership, next market and next opportunity.

And to every applicant, finalist and dreamer: a competition result does not define the potential of your business.

TDI's commitment does not end with the Finale. We will continue working to connect entrepreneurs across our ecosystem with mentorship, capacity building, investors, strategic partnerships, procurement opportunities, market access and regional and global networks.

Startup World Cup itself provides founders with access to a global ecosystem spanning 100+ regional competitions and a mentorship programme with 200+ expert mentors and industry leaders.

The questions were tough. The pressure was real. The dreamers showed up and delivered. 🔥

We sincerely thank BONELA our inclusion partner and Venture Pulse OS's role as the Technical Partner and the platform's contribution to the startup submission and judging process.

Watch this space — the competition may be over, but the ecosystem journey has only begun. 🇧🇼🌍🚀

Startup World Cup 2026 brought together ambitious founders, investors, judges and ecosystem players, and Startup Lab Africa was proud to be part of the experience as a partner.

Special congratulations to Orion X on taking the win. Your achievement is a reflection of the work, persistence and ambition that goes into building a startup.

To every startup that participated, well done!

Getting to this stage, putting your business forward and stepping into a room to be evaluated takes courage. The competition may have one winner, but every founder who participated is building something worth paying attention to.

Here’s to the founders building, learning and pushing forward.

🌟 AS WE CONCLUDE ICIW 2026 IN STYLE — LET’S CELEBRATE ONE OF OUR OWN! 🏆🇧🇼

What a way to conclude an incredible Innovation & Capital Investment Week (ICIW) 2026!

We are immensely proud to celebrate Kelebogile Matolela, a valued member of the Thrive Development Initiative (TDI) team, who has WON the Women Excellence in Sport for Peace and Development Award at the 5th Arise Women of Africa Symposium! 🏆✨

And this recognition is well deserved — she delivered!

Throughout the ICIW 2026 journey, Kelebogile has demonstrated commitment, leadership and a willingness to serve. While helping us deliver a platform that celebrates entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers, her own impact was also being recognised beyond TDI.

Her award celebrates the power of sport to empower young people, strengthen communities, advance gender equality and drive positive social change — values deeply aligned with TDI’s commitment to equity, inclusion and opportunity.

Congratulations, Kelebogile! Your TDI family celebrates you. You worked, you served, and you delivered. Now it is your turn to take the spotlight! ❤️🏆

As we close ICIW 2026, this is a beautiful reminder that behind every successful platform are people whose own stories, leadership and impact deserve to be celebrated.

We rise by creating opportunities — and we celebrate when our own rise too. 🇧🇼🌍

MEET YOUR TOP 10 FINALIST: KELEBOGILE MATOLELA

Kelebogile Matolela is leveraging sport, technology, and environmental stewardship to drive positive social change across Africa!
From using Olympic Values Education to address gender-based violence to championing eco-friendly sports events and tech entrepreneurship for women, Kelebogile multi-sectoral leadership is transforming communities.

❤️ LIKE/REACT to this post to vote for Kelebogile.

A Heartfelt Thank You | ICIW 2026 – From Convening to Global Opportunity 🇧🇼🌍🚀

As we mark 21 August 2026 – ICIW Media & Reflection Day, we reflect with immense gratitude on a journey of innovation, entrepreneurship, inclusion, policy dialogue, capacity building, investment and international engagement.

A special thank you to the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship Botswana for its strategic engagement throughout ICIW 2026 and for supporting the official opening of TDI’s flagship platforms — Innovation & Capital Investment Week (ICIW) and the Startup World Cup Botswana Regional Finale, delivered in partnership with Pegasus Tech Ventures - Global.

The Ministry’s engagement extended beyond the programme, including strategic discussions with Amb. Dr. Seleshi Bekele Awulachew, former Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy of Ethiopia and a REN21 Renewable Energy Champion. We equally appreciate the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) Secretariat for helping connect ICIW to Botswana’s broader economic transformation agenda.

From Botswana to the Global Startup World Cup🌍

Our deepest appreciation goes to Pegasus Tech Ventures and the Startup World Cup team, and particularly to Tsedeniya Namrud, former Startup World Cup Manager, who supported us through the formative stages of this journey, and Janet Lee, current Startup World Cup Manager, for carrying the partnership forward and supporting the delivery of Botswana’s Regional Finale.

Thank you for your patience, guidance and confidence in TDI as we established Botswana’s place within this global ecosystem.

We were also honoured to welcome Bill Reichert, General Partner at Pegasus Tech Ventures and Chief Evangelist of Startup World Cup, for the global keynote “Dream Bold. Build Beyond Borders.” His message reinforced the importance of ambition, mentorship, networks and thinking globally.

Startup World Cup spans 100+ regional competitions worldwide, connecting entrepreneurs to investors, customers, international markets and a Mentor Programme with 200+ expert mentors and industry leaders.

🏆 And Botswana has chosen its Regional Champion — Orion X !

Congratulations to OrionX (Uhuru AI) on emerging as the Startup World Cup Botswana 2026 Regional Champion. The journey now continues into the global Startup World Cup ecosystem and towards San Francisco, where regional champions compete for a US$1 million investment prize.

Inclusion must remain at the centre

A very special appreciation goes to BONELA our Inclusion Partner and longstanding friend and collaborator, for standing with us on equity, human rights, inclusion and gender-transformative approaches, as well as providing practical support, including refreshments. These principles are fundamental to the innovation ecosystem we want to build.

We also warmly acknowledge Haemi Life / Delft Imaging and our health innovation partners for strengthening our vision of connecting global health technologies, research and innovation with Botswana’s emerging Health & Bio-Economy.

A special thank you also goes to Orange Digital Center Botswana, Startup Lab Africa, Botswana Tech Fund, MOLA and QuantumMind Consulting — our ICIW 2026 Technology Partner — for collaborating with us to ensure the smooth ex*****on of the Startup World Cup Botswana Regional Finale.

To our Steering Committee ❤️

Our ICIW 2026 Steering Committee members have contributed their time, expertise, networks and significant in-kind support since February 2026.

Behind the public programme were months of meetings, stakeholder engagement, startup selection, speaker mobilisation, programme development, problem-solving and countless adjustments. Much of this was contributed voluntarily because the Committee believed in the vision.

Thank you for staying the course. ICIW 2026 could not have happened without you.

And to our ICIW 2026 Master of Ceremony, Swift Mpoloka — thank you for brightening the auditorium with your charm, warmth and energy.

From dialogue to strategic cooperation

ICIW also created opportunities for Government-to-global-network engagement. On 20 August, discussions with the Acting Minister responsible for Lands and Agriculture, Hon. Mr. Motsamai, explored renewable energy, agriculture and Botswana’s emerging bio-economy.

Amb. Dr. Seleshi has also engaged senior officials of the Ministry of Minerals and Energy, opening conversations around potential future cooperation with REN21, guided by Botswana’s own priorities.

During the Mining & Energy Innovation Forum, Judy Zakreski of the International Code Council (ICC) reinforced the importance of context-specific standards and codes for resilience, innovation and global market competitiveness.

Both REN21 and ICC are relationships cultivated over time by TDI Founder Dr. Thandi Katlholo. We look forward to translating these and other partnerships into technical assistance, mentorship, knowledge exchange, investment connections and global market access as we advance the vision for the TDI Innovation Lab and a multisectoral, multilateral innovation ecosystem.

To our judges, mentors, speakers, startups, volunteers and everyone who believed in this vision — THANK YOU.

ICIW was the convening. Startup World Cup opened a global door. OrionX will carry Botswana through that door. Now, together, we build the ecosystem. 🇧🇼🌍🚀

🏆🇧🇼 WE HAVE A WINNER!

From a bold dream in Botswana to the global Startup World Cup stage in Silicon Valley! 🚀

Congratulations to OrionX winner of the Startup World Cup Botswana Regional Finale 2026!

Today, we celebrate courage, innovation and the power of African entrepreneurs to Dream Bold. Build Beyond Borders.

Next stop: Silicon Valley! 🌍🚀