The Windhoek Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

Are you starting a business in Windhoek, Namibia, and feel like there’s no support available? Or perhaps you're part of the vibrant entrepreneurship support community here, keen to enhance services without creating new overlaps? Then, this ecosystem overview is not just for you; it's with you.

Setting the Scene

Windhoek's entrepreneurship ecosystem has evolved over the past 10-15 years to support early-stage entrepreneurs running Micro, Small, or Medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Initially, the focus was on the quantity of new ventures. Since around 2016-2017 (depending on whom you ask), a distinct Startup Ecosystem has emerged within this broader framework, explicitly catering to startups’ needs. The emphasis has shifted to the quality of ventures while still fostering a conducive environment for MSMEs.

Challenges in Accessing Information

Despite several ecosystem mappings conducted on Windhoek’s entrepreneurial landscape, many findings remain inaccessible, guarded by the organisations that conducted them. As an avid believer in openly shared information, I’ve compiled my knowledge, experience, and doctoral research findings into a resource on the state of the startup ecosystem. Since 2017, I've worked in and researched the Windhoek Startup Ecosystem, and this resource reflects that deep involvement.

Introducing the Resource:

This resource includes two valuable assets:

  1. An Overview of the Windhoek Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

  2. An Overview of the Windhoek Startup Ecosystem by Category and Startup Development Stage

Combined, this resource is a practical tool for founders seeking suitable support and for support organisations aiming to enhance the entrepreneurship ecosystem. It’s a tangible support system at your fingertips.

The insights primarily rely on the perspectives of local ecosystem actors and startups gathered during research fieldwork in 2021-2022. I’ve added informally collected knowledge to these findings with updates as of May 2024. Scroll down to download your free resource. Spot an error or notice a development that the resource overlooks? Let me know!

But first, here are some key concepts from my research findings you should know to use the resource:

Startup = runs a young business; but:
it is informal until validated; Opportunity-based; Uses disruptive business models due to which it can not qualify for low-risk funding such as bank loans, but uses angel investment or other forms of risk funding; Use of (high) technology to create services/products; Founders are highly-educated and Skilled; Has rapid growth potential; Eg. Jabu

MSME = runs a young business., but:
it can be either informal or formal; Necessity-based; Uses traditional business models due to which it can qualify for loans and grants as funding; May use technology to create services/products; Founders can be either skilled or unskilled; Has a modest growth pace due to the business model; Eg. Turipamwe.

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem = a network of MSMEs and organisations that seek to support them

Startup Ecosystem = a network of startups and organisations that seek to support them 

How to Use This Resource

Whether you're a budding entrepreneur looking for the proper support or a part of a support organisation aiming to fill gaps without overlap, this resource can guide your next steps:

  • For Entrepreneurs: Use the ecosystem overview to find relevant support organisations and understand the startup development stages to pinpoint where you currently stand and what support you need next.

  • For Support Organisations: Leverage the detailed mapping to identify gaps in the ecosystem and tailor your services to meet unfulfilled needs, ensuring a more robust and collaborative support network.

  1. An overview of the Windhoek Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

The downloadable resource presents an overview of the Windhoek Entrepreneurship Ecosystem as adapted from Isenberg (2010). It focuses on presenting the ecosystem and its support network for particularly technology-enabled and innovative startups but includes support for MSMEs. As my Doctoral Research focuses on Startup Culture, the resource dives deep into the cultural differences between the broader Entrepreneurship Ecosystem and its inner Startup Ecosystem. The findings are based on data collected in July 2021 – January 2022, with updates in December 2023.
Want a copy? Keep on scrolling!
Design Credit: Tanya Stroh, Turipamwe.

2. An overview of the Windhoek Startup Ecosystem by Category and Startup Development stage

This downloadable resource provides an overview of the Windhoek Startup Ecosystem within the broader Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. This overview focuses only on actors that support technology-enabled startups with rapid growth potential at the different stages of development of startups as adapted from Startup Commons and localised to the Namibian context. The findings are based on data collected in July 2021-January 2022, with updates in May 2024.
Design Credit: Tanya Stroh, Turipamwe.

Download Your Free Resource

Ready to dive in? Use the form below to download your free resource with the two ecosystem mappings, and start confidently navigating Windhoek’s entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems. Your journey towards successful entrepreneurship and ecosystem development begins here.
Disclaimer: This is a snapshot of the ecosystem between 2021-2024, and it may be incomplete or include outdated information. If you spot an error, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Feedback and Updates

I believe in the power of community and continuous improvement. Please let me know if you spot an error or want to inform me about a development this resource overlooks. Together, we can keep this resource accurate and up-to-date, benefiting the entire Windhoek entrepreneurship ecosystem and Namibia at large.

Some sources:

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Seven Years of Innovation Support in Namibia

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Consulting with Heart: Facilitating Turipamwe's Innovation Process in Namibia