Tendai Pasipamire
Capetown
Summary
Dynamic and professional with over 10 years of demonstrated excellence in mastering ceremonies across the innovation and technology ecosystem. Currently serving as the Business Development Manager at Enrich in Africa Center, where I regularly MC pan-African tech events and high-level EU-Africa diplomatic engagements. Experience spans orchestrating multiple national and international innovation forums, awards ceremonies, and stakeholder engagements for audiences up to 200+ attendees, including prestigious events for AfricArena, SA Innovation Summit, and various public sector programs. Deep roots in the National System of Innovation and technology startup ecosystem through roles leading innovation programs and facilitating cross-continental tech partnerships. Brings a unique combination of technical knowledge and commanding stage presence that ensures seamless event flow while maintaining audience engagement across diverse participants from grassroots innovators to C-suite executives and diplomatic dignitaries. Positioned ideally to deliver a world-class experience for the GCIP Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Development Manager
Enrich in Africa Center
04.2024 - Current
- My role involves strengthening the Euro-Africa tech and innovation ecosystems through creating partnerships that foster collaboration among innovators, incubators, accelerators, investors, corporates, and policymakers between the two regions that translate to economic impact. Through it all ensure that the Enrich in Africa Center is profitable and sustainable.
- Demonstrated ability to engage with high-level audiences as MC for pan-African AfricArena events, showcasing deep understanding of the tech ecosystem and venture capital landscape
- Successfully MCed the inaugural visit of the EU Director General for Research and Innovation, proving capability to handle diplomatic protocols and high-profile dignitaries
- Experience as MC for Science Forum side events, showing proficiency in engaging with policymakers and diverse stakeholder groups
- Prepared pricing strategies aligned with budget and business plan to meet financial targets of the Center.
- Develop relationships with major DFIs, Foundations, and Diplomatic Offices donors to identify new potential major funders and nurturing existing relationships.
- Lead the end to end process of developing and writing winning technical proposals for high ticket calls, including convening the consortium of implementing partners, and leading the co-creation of proposals
Programmes Lead
Innovate Durban
06.2022 - 03.2024
- Develop, implement, and manage Innovation Support programmes and projects
- Notable accomplishments included driving growth and tackling systemic issues in grassroot innovation development in underserved rural and township communities by being on the forefront of building an active and robust people-centred public and private blended tech innovation development and support ecosystem in the region of KZN.
- Extensive experience MCing large-scale innovation events including the annual Innovation Festival (2022 & 2023)
- Proven track record officiating multi-stakeholder forums involving key innovation ecosystem players like TIA, DSI, eThekwini Municipality, and UNDP
- Successfully MCed Youth Innovation Challenge events, demonstrating ability to energize and engage diverse audience demographics
- Led design thinking and strategy sessions as facilitator for high-profile companies, showcasing strong audience engagement skills
- Built collaborative cross-functional teams supporting development and implementation of all programmes.
- Designed and implemented robust implementation plans for cross-functional programmes and kept tasks compliant with expected outcomes on public sector projects including UNDP Global Accelerator, USAID, eThekwini Municipality, Department of Science and Innovation, and Technology Innovation Agency.
- Monitored and advised on feasibility and sustainability of project processes and results.
- Delivered high-quality online and in-person route to market mentorship, aiding innovators commercialise, scale and grow their technical solutions
- Demonstrated expertise in financial grant proposal writing to successfully secure funding and create impact with projects.
Commercialisation Manager
SA Innovation Summit (Pty) Ltd
04.2021 - 05.2022
- Served as moderator and MC for main stage events at the prestigious SA Innovation Summit in 2020 and 2021
- Demonstrated ability to manage large audiences while maintaining event flow and energy
- Successfully facilitated technology and innovation-focused discussions with diverse participant groups
- Planned and developed winning strategies to increase sales, expand territories and boost market positioning.
- Researched trends to gather data and implement innovative strategies.
- Responsible for go-to-market and commercialization of TechTribe Accelerator (Africa’s leading online accelerator and virtual mentorship platform providing programmes for founders to be investment ready and gain market traction).
- Create tailored value propositions aligned to the needs of different organizations in the entrepreneurship development and investment readiness ecosystem that ensure the TechTribe Accelerator is a leveraging tool to realize their strategic goals
Co-Founder/Director Business Development
Kerdos Consulting(Pty) Ltd
11.2020 - 05.2022
- I identify high-level accounts looking at launching new product/service(s) into new or existing markets and craft sustainable Route - to - Market strategies for clients. I augment our value add to the client by not only crafting the route - to - market strategy, and become the implementation partner hence precipitating long term relationships with our clients
- Made high-level decisions regarding policies, strategies, procedures and finances.
- Designed all business strategies, including sales, marketing, business, growth and finances.
- Successfully grew company profits by designing and implementing innovative growth strategies.
- Wrote detailed business plans for governing company operations, marketing activities and revenue generation.
Founder/CEO
Virtuous Maids (Pty) Ltd
08.2013 - 08.2020
- Virtuous Maids is a company built on a well crafted concept of transforming houses into organized, sparkling clean and peaceful homes. Through our unique handpicking selection process, world class training and perfect matching at placements, we guarantee peace of mind to any client with their varying needs.
- Successfully grew the company from ground up to a successful exit. At exit Virtuous Maids was the preferred domestic helper service provider for diplomatic staff and high profile families in Pretoria and Johannesburg South Africa
- Developed clear mission, vision and culture for company employees.
- Managed all aspects of product development, from design to overseeing development, quality assurance and deployment.
- Interacted with potential investors, customers and partners to build brand image and gain recognition and insight into untapped markets.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers, contractors and partners, establishing robust and reliable supply chains and product distribution networks.
Education
Certificate of Higher Education - Monitoring & Evaluation
University of Cape Town
2023
Certificate of Higher Education - Design Thinking
Design Thinkers Academy
01.2022
Certificate of Higher Education - Commercializing Tech Solutions
HarvardX
01.2022
Diploma of Higher Education - Project Management
Thompson NETg
01.2007
Project Management
Thompson NETg
01.2006
Skills
- Strong Management and Organisational Skills
- Strong Programme/Project Management Expertise
- Fluent Proposal Writing
- Building Strong Teams
- Strong Negotiator
- Fluent Stakeholder Management & Engagement
- Engage Fluently With C-Suite Executives
- Strong Budgeting & Cost Control
- Strong Commercial Awareness
- Business Development and Planning
- Go to Market Strategies
- Critical and Creative Thinking
- Design Thinking Facilitator
- Public Speaking and Presentation
- Strategy Formulation & Facilitation
- Mentoring & Designing Entrepreneur Mentorship Programmes
Education
Online,Online,Online,other,Cape Town, WC
Contact
Capetown
Timeline
Business Development Manager
Enrich in Africa Center
04.2024 - Current
Programmes Lead
Innovate Durban
06.2022 - 03.2024
Commercialisation Manager
SA Innovation Summit (Pty) Ltd
04.2021 - 05.2022
Co-Founder/Director Business Development
Kerdos Consulting(Pty) Ltd
11.2020 - 05.2022
Founder/CEO
Virtuous Maids (Pty) Ltd
08.2013 - 08.2020
Certificate of Higher Education - Design Thinking
Design Thinkers Academy
Certificate of Higher Education - Commercializing Tech Solutions
HarvardX
Diploma of Higher Education - Project Management
Thompson NETg
Project Management
Thompson NETg
Certificate of Higher Education - Monitoring & Evaluation
University of Cape Town
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