In an entrepreneurial ecosystem where experience-sharing and personalised support are key success factors, the Sunu Seonbae mentorship initiative demonstrates how to spark innovation and sustainably guide entrepreneurs from project inception through the dreaded “valley of death.”
The closing ceremony of the second cohort of the Sunu Seonbae program was held on Wednesday in Dakar, marking the end of an intensive training journey for 22 Senegalese entrepreneur-mentors.
This intercultural initiative, the result of a partnership between Senegal and South Korea, aims to strengthen the local entrepreneurial landscape through structured mentorship.
The program’s name reflects its core philosophy: “Sunu” means “our” in Wolof, and “Seonbae” is a Korean term for a respected elder or mentor. Together, they embody the project’s goal—to build an intercultural bridge serving Senegalese entrepreneurship.
Led by the KPC Consortium in collaboration with Orbus Digital Services (ODS), the program is supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Senegal’s Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MESRI).
With over 100 applications received, the second edition of the program generated strong interest. The 22 selected mentors underwent a comprehensive journey including an orientation bootcamp, one-on-one coaching sessions, sector-focused seminars, hands-on workshops in leadership, finance, and strategy, a 20-hour e-learning platform, and networking events to broaden their professional circles.
Strategic vision for entrepreneurship
“This initiative is part of a broader ambition to structure and bring coherence to our entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Daniel Sarr, Director General of Orbus Digital Services.
He also announced strategic partnerships, including one with Teranga Capital, to support startup funding while providing ongoing human support through mentoring during their growth phase.
“This momentum also involves various public stakeholders committed to entrepreneurship development,” he added.
New partnerships are currently being negotiated with universities, especially through the student-entrepreneur program, which includes Senegal’s network of Professional Higher Education Institutes (ISEPs).
Navigating the entrepreneurial ‘valley of death’
Mr. Sarr emphasised the need to harmonise existing support programs to help startups navigate the critical “valley of death”—a phase when many early ventures fail due to lack of proper guidance.
He praised the mentors’ dedication, highlighting their participation even during late-night sessions—“despite the spicy reward of kimchi,” he joked—reflecting their generosity and deep commitment to the project.
Pape Waly Diouf, representing Public Service Minister Olivier Boucal, praised the collaborative nature of the program: “This personalised support is a key lever for the growth of our entrepreneurial ecosystem. It’s also a shining example of collaboration between the public and private sectors, and international cooperation, united around a shared ambition: fostering a new generation of committed and resilient entrepreneurs.”
The event also welcomed alumni from previous cohorts (cohorts 0 and 1), some of whom are now actively mentoring others.
The ultimate goal, organisers say, is to “build a dynamic, committed, and supportive community serving a strong and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
The Sunu Seonbae program aligns with Senegal’s national innovation and employability strategy, promoting sustainable and innovative projects backed by Korean expertise and funding.
ARD/te/sf/lb/as/APA