Omeho = eyes (Otjiherero)

It’s time to open our eyes to Africa

A founder pitches her business to a potential partner or investor in Namibia. This is what Startup Entrepreneurship can look like in southern Africa. Photo by: Willem Vrey, the winning photographer partner for Omeho Project. Model: Disney Andreas, founder of July by DSNY A and Monochrome Magazine, social entrepreneur, and sustainable fashionista. Location: Café Prestige, Windhoek, Namibia. — A founder pitches her business to a potential partner or investor in Namibia. This is what Startup Entrepreneurship can look like in southern Africa.
Photo by: Willem Vrey, the winning photographer partner for Omeho Project.
Model: Disney Andreas, founder of July by DSNY A and Monochrome Magazine, social entrepreneur, and sustainable fashionista.
Location: Café Prestige, Windhoek, Namibia.

The Omeho Project amplifies the African voice
on innovation and Startup Entrepreneurship

It demystifies Africa for the West and Startup Entrepreneurship in the Global South. Omeho Project comprises a digital photo bank, a social media phenomenon, traveling exhibitions, and coffee table books.

Why Omeho Project

Diversifying the imagery has the chance to change the way people view Africa and entrepreneurship. The way Africa is portrayed in Western countries like Finland contributes to a lack of understanding about urban, contemporary, and middle-class Africa. Meanwhile, local startup entrepreneurs stand to gain from increased awareness of their journey.

What we do

The project collects quality imagery of contemporary, urban Africa from Windhoek, Lusaka, and Cape Town depicting startup entrepreneurs at work.
Photos are shared through a digital photo bank, a strategic social media campaign, coffee table books, and traveling exhibitions in the three cities as well as in Helsinki, Finland.

How we do it

Local photographers in Namibia, Zambia, and South Africa are selected through an application process for a paid partnership.
Together with the Omeho Project, the photographer conceptualizes imagery for both the photo bank and the exhibitions and book. The project supports creative entrepreneurs by providing new revenue streams and exposure.

Social Media Campaign

We feature the rising stars of startup ecosystems and share their honest stories.

Get the role models in my city celebrated
Photography exhibitions

We bring the Startup Ecosystem together to celebrate their local role models to inclusive exhibitions.

Bring the exhibition to my city
Books

We compile the stories of tech founders and creative geniuses in a book - both as an inclusive e-book and a gorgeous coffee table book. Ask us about educational content.

Get me involved!
Stock photos

We are building a compelling archive of captivating stock photos that feature real entrepreneurs in their real life environments. Want to capture your project beneficiaries?

Let's build a pool of fresh African imagery!

The Social Media Campaign

“Everyone deserves to not only feed themselves, but to dream. Reducing poverty in Namibia is my biggest driver of and the common strain behind everything I do. Growing up, I didn’t feel like I lacked anything. However, the village I was born in or the house we lived in was worlds apart from how my classmates lived. I was only a kid when I started to move between these two worlds, and it was unfathomable to me how this level of inequality could be fair. That being said, the exposure to my friends’ lifestyle showed me what I could dream about and aspire to. That’s when I decided that I wanted to make something of myself. But that wasn’t going to be enough. I also wanted to do my part in improving the lives of others. My childhood experiences are where my social conscience comes from. That’s why I do what I do. Today I’m actively involved in a number of social causes. I’m fiercely optimistic about bringing real change in my country through entrepreneurship and business. It’s not easy, but I am an optimist and a believer in a better future for Africa.” — Jesaya Hano-Oshike @nopoudjuu , 31, Windhoek, Namibia. Investment professional and serial entrepreneur, co-founder of @ktp.industries and @motleehr 📸: @willemvreyphotography for Omeho Project Location: @dololo.io, home of Namibia’s movers and shakers. #tech #startups #entrepreneurs #founders #entrepreneurship #Namibia #investment #investors #Africa #DemystifyingAfrica

“To me, entrepreneurship is about making an impact, but on an individual level it’s really about self-actualization. I firmly believe that Africa can only transform itself through solutions brought about by innovative entrepreneurs living and working on the continent. These entrepreneurs not only create new wealth for themselves to improve their own lives and those of their family. They also create jobs and contribute to the tax base of the countries in which they operate. It is these taxes that fund the social projects necessary to assist the marginalised and disenfranchised. But when you’re starting out, there’s so many skills you need to learn in order to reach your full potential. Having mentors is critical. I’m dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs in realising their ideas into sustainable businesses because I understand what it’s like. I’ve seen real transformation in the co-founders I’ve worked with, and I want to continue empowering co-founders to gain skills to actualize themselves. It gives me great pleasure to know that I’ve created value for people.” — Jesaya Hano-Oshike, 31, Windhoek, Namibia. Investment professional and serial entrepreneur, co-founder of @ktp.industries and @motleehr 📸: @willemvreyphotography Location: @dololo.io #tech #startups #entrepreneurship #investor #investment #portraitphotography #Namibia #Africa #DemystifyAfrica

“I was 22 when I started my first company. So far I’ve founded 10 companies, three of which are still in operation. I believe that as much as we have solvable problems on this continent, we have many more opportunities to be exploited. What I do is I start a company and identify someone talented to run it with me. With the experience and knowledge I’ve accumulated, I’m now transitioning into being an investor for early-stage companies. I use my hard earned money to support impactful ideas. I’d like people to know that you don’t have to be a millionaire to invest and build companies. You can start right away with whatever you have.” — Jesaya Hano-Oshike @nopoudjuu, 31, Windhoek, Namibia. Investment professional and serial entrepreneur, co-founder of @ktp.industries and @motleehr 📸 by: @willemvreyphotography for Omeho Project #entrepreneurship #founder #founders #tech #investor #investment #portraitphotography #Namibia #Africa #DemystifyAfrica

The Omeho Project Photography Exhibition is open at @cafe.prestige until 21 September 2021. Half-way through the month we will swap the artwork. On display now until 8 September, you can stop by and learn the stories of the following movers and shakers of the Windhoek Startup Ecosystem. • @turipamwe_ @tanyaturistroh • @peblid • @tumanamibia • @peacemakers._ @kid_wasabi_ @_sonnyvision_ • @motleehr @vincentweyulu • @thealltallest • @nopoudjuu • @cisle_ikre8 • @disney.andreas • @paytoday @orangeduke • @ebikes4africa • Jada Digital, Mark Muller • @jumpernamibia, @rem3mber.drew So when you’re lining up meetings for next week, you know where to have them… #photography #portraitphotography #startups #tech #entrepreneurship #founders #Namibia #Africa #demystifyafrica Sponsored by @startup.na and @bankwindhoek, in partnership with @freshfmnamibia and @dololo.io

Role model noun A person looked to by others as an example to be imitated. The Omeho Project exhibition in Namibia opened with a bang last night, as the entrepreneurs featured on our platform were celebrated as the role models they are by their loved ones and the Startup Ecosystem actors in Windhoek. Due to current restrictions to mitigate COVID-19, the invites were limited, but the exhibition will be up until 21 September 2021 at @cafe.prestige. It’s inspiring, it brings hope and it’s free for all. Photography: @willemvreyphotography and @paparazzi_opas for Omeho Project Stories: @e_auri Exhibition design: @turipamwe_ Venue and catering: @cafe.prestige Support team: @dololo.io MC: @ashwynmberi Entertainment: @okin_17 , @dj_musketeer Radio partner: @freshfmnamibia Sponsors: GIZ @startup.na as supported by the German government, and @bankwindhoek Thank you all for the support and welcome again! #portraitphotography #art #exhibition #entrepreneurship #startups #tech #ecosystem #Namibia #Africa #DemystifyAfrica

Are you ready to open your eyes? We are thilled to announce that Omeho Project is organizing its first photography exhibition in Windhoek supported by @startup.na and @bankwindhoek Starting 25 August 2021, our artwork will take over @cafe.prestige for a month. Stay tuned for more information. In partnership with @turipamwe_, @freshfmnamibia and @dololo.io. #portraitphotography #photography #exhibition #entrepreneurship #tech #startups #Namibia #DemystifyAfrica #Africa

“I joined @lefanamibia in 2019. Joining a startup for the first time puts you on a steep learning curve. I’d say the hardest lesson that I’ve had to learn - but the most important one - is that everything you do in a startup is experimenting. No one hands you a strategy document and says: ‘Do this.’ You really just make it up as you go together with your co-founders. That means you fail all the time, since it’s a natural part of experimentation. We humans aren’t wired to embrace failure. That hasn’t been easy, but growth demands it. So why do I do it if it’s uncomfortable? One, I enjoy the challenge. Two, I strive for success. It’s not like I enjoy gymming all the time either, but I love the results. At some point down the line I will have learned how to run a startup like this successfully, and to me that’s exciting. That and the results we can achieve.” Kalipi Aluvilu (@instalipi), 34, Windhoek, Namibia. Co-founder of ride-hailing service @lefanamibia 📸: @willemvreyphotography #tech #startups #failfast #failforward #entrepreneurship #inspiration #motivation #Namibia #Africa #DemystifyAfrica #OmehoProject

“As a co-founder and Operations Manager, my job requires that I’m aware of all aspects of the company and that I make quick decisions. Sometimes my brain goes into overdrive as I’m constantly thinking about details I might have missed. I guess it’s a condition of being a perfectionist - to never really be satisfied - but it’s more than that. I’m acutely aware of the disparities in Namibia, and we co-founders feel the pressure to make the company work. It’s not just that I feel responsible to myself to validate the career change, or because I want to be a good role model for my younger brother. It’s not only that I’d like to prove to my parents that I can be successful as an entrepreneur. I feel the responsibility because I believe that we can really better our communities and the lives of the 30+ drivers in our network. Shutting it off is honestly quite difficult. Going to the gym helps, but ultimately what gets me up in the morning is the positive feedback from our drivers and our customers. That’s when I know I’m working on something that matters. So all I can do is keep at it and hope I make the right decisions.” Kalipi Aluvilu (@instalipi), 34, Windhoek, Namibia. Co-founder of ride-hailing service @lefanamibia 📸: @willemvreyphotography #tech #startups #entrepreneurship #leadership #inspiration #motivation #Namibia #Africa #DemystifyAfrica #OmehoProject

“Someone once said: “Your salary is the bribe they give you to forget your dreams”. Being an employee means you help someone else realize their dreams. That can be amazing, but as an entrepreneur I make my dreams a reality. For me that dream is to make a positive impact on an urban scale. That’s what initially drew me to studying urban resilience after a degree in architecture and years in the built environment. Back then it seemed to me that the macro level is where the change occurs since that’s where policies are designed. My studies gave me an appreciation for creating impact on all levels. When the opportunity came to join LEFA, an exciting new startup, I realized that, actually, new disruptive businesses can drive impact that’s real and immediate. That excited me more than the traditional career path, so I took a leap. Yeah, the money ain’t great…YET, but the results are real. Ha, and isn’t that a beautiful thing?” — Kalipi Aluvilu (@instalipi), 34, Windhoek, Namibia. Co-founder of ride-hailing service @lefanamibia 📸: @willemvreyphotography for @omehoproject #startups #tech #entrepreneurship #Namibia #Africa #urban #impact #OmehoProject #DemystifyAfrica

Twitter

LinkedIn

Facebook

WE FEATURE BAD-ASSES

We share stories from young startup entrepreneurs.

To us, startup founders are people driving an innovative business idea based on technology. The business model has the potential to scale rapidly. They have either developed their own technology or use it in a way that is new to their market.

We also celebrate disruptive thinkers who bring value to the startup ecosystem and are for example:

serial entrepreneurs and investors: have founded several companies
creative entrepreneurs and geniuses: entrepreneurs who have a business in the creative industry using digital services or technology (web design, graphic design, industrial designers, etc.) and showcase a bold idea for empire-building
other dope technologists and brave innovators
wicked business and market disruptors, or startup ecosystem movers and shakers

THE EXHIBITIONS

In August 2021, Omeho Project organized its first exhibition - the Namibia edition. We had called for photographers. We had called for disruptive technologists, creative geniuses, and technology startup founders. Then we called for everyone to witness the captivating portrait photography and the compelling stories of the Namibian youth who are making a positive change in society.

The 1-month long, free and inclusive exhibition was held at Café Prestige in Windhoek, Namibia. We displayed 21 stunning portraits of Namibian founders from companies like PayToday, LEFA Namibia, PEBL, and featured dope techies and forward-thinkers like Stefanie Garises and Mark Mushiva. To open the event, we organized a 100-person networking event celebrating the heroes of the Startup Ecosystem.

Artwork: Willem Vrey and Opas Onucheyo for Omeho Project
Storytelling: Auri Evokari
Exhibition design: Turipamwe
Location: Café Prestige
Dates and times: 25 August to 21 September 2021, according to the opening hours of Café Prestige. All health and safety protocols were in effect.

Sponsored by Bank Windhoek and supported by GIZ StartUp Namibia on behalf of the German Government.

In partnership with Dololo DoBox, and Fresh FM.

In the future, we plan to bring this exhibition to the world. Keen to book us? Get in touch!

THE OMEHO EXPERIENCE FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Apply

We received 80+ online applications from Namibia, and the application closed on 29 July 2021. Follow us on social media to learn when we open the applications in Lusaka and Cape Town.

Photoshoot

Photoshoots are organized in Windhoek, Namibia (7-8/2021) and later in Lusaka, Zambia as well as Cape Town, South Africa. During the photoshoot, we take two types of photos: an artistic portrait, that really captures the entrepreneur’s spirit, and one editorial photograph of them at work.

Be selected

We invite suitable candidates to take part in a photoshoot. We aim to have a fair representation of different ethnicities in Namibia, and a fair representation of all genders.

Story Editing

The Omeho Project team shortlists a selected pool of images for post-production. The final choices will be presented to the entrepreneur before publishing, and we will together write their story to be paired with the photo.

Ideation

Selected entrepreneurs will be met in the location of their choice to ideate the photoshoot. The purpose is to get a feel of the entrepreneur and their entrepreneurial journey, and to ideate how to best capture their essence.

Celebration of you

The entrepreneur’ss photo may be shared on our social media accounts, our digital photobank, where we sell the photographs for non-commercial use, in prints that are displayed in exhibitions locally, and in the future, maybe even a coffee table book.

What featured entrepreneurs get

Your story out there

We’re talking about you and your work being featured on a massive social media campaign. The association with Omeho Project can bring you plenty of visibility at no cost, and this may benefit you and your company directly or indirectly.

Be a role model, build the ecosystem

Research shows the critical part role models play for entrepreneurs. By sharing your story on the Omeho Project’s platform, you can raise awareness about startup entrepreneurship within your community and inspire others to pursue their entrepreneurial goals. In the long term, your company stands to gain as the startup ecosystem grows and matures.

Feature in epic photography

Who wouldn’t like to be in the spotlight as Willem Vrey captures their essence on camera?

FAQs

What do I get as a model?

You get your story out there both locally and internationally. You inspire people around you, and this can have long-term effects on your startup ecosystem. We’re looking for people who understand the value this can bring to you - either directly, or indirectly. You pay nothing for the publicity or for being photographed by one of the best photographers in Namibia.

How will the photos be used?

We may use them on our social media. We are now active on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the handle @omehoproject and may open other social media accounts. We may use them in photography exhibitions organized both locally and internationally, and in a photography book published by Omeho Project. We may use the photographs on our photobank and sell them for non-commercial use. Any potential proceeds from photography sales are shared by the photographer and the Omeho Project.

What does “non-commercial use” mean?

"Non-commercial use" means that that the image can be used for a wide range of possibilities such as artistic, educational, scholarly, and personal projects that will not be marketed, promoted, or sold for any monetary gain.

This means that we will NOT sell a photograph of you to, let’s say, a pharmaceutical company in Indonesia that would like to sell hemorrhoid cream with your face. We’re classy, you know.

Who owns the photographs taken of me?

In photography work, it's standard that the ownership remains with the photographer. In this case, it's shared between the photographer and the Omeho Project.

The creatives behind Omeho Project

Auri Evokari

FOUNDER
Evokari holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in African studies and is currently pursuing a PhD about Startup Entrepreneurship in southern Africa. As a Finn, she's always telling people back home about how Africa is so much more than what you see on Western media or on National Geographic.
Willem Vrey

PHOTOGRAPHER
Vrey has over a decade of experience in photography working with clients such as individuals, businesses both large and small, NGOs and governments. The work has taken Vrey all around the world and has allowed him to be part of celebrations and events. He describes himself to be a storyteller at heart and thinks that a mark of a successful photograph is whether it tells a story.
Tanya Stroh

COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR
Stroh is the founder and creative director of Turipamwe and holds a post-graduate degree in Creative Brand Communications. Her multidisciplinary design work can be seen from the TEDx Windhoek stage to Baxu and the Giants, Namibia's first film to stream on Netflix. Tanya believes in the power and potential of the creative industries as a tool for the socio-economic empowerment of Africa.
Mark Mushiva

TECHNOLOGIST
Dr. Mark Mushiva is a technologist, an innovator, a hip-hop artist, and an academic. He makes things that combine Art, Games, Music and Computer Science. As the technologist for the Omeho Project, Mushiva develops unique concepts for awareness-raising.