<h1 style="text-align:center;">Reflections After a Recent Visit to Addis</h1><h3>Jonathan Baker, an investor with RENEW, shares his background and motivations for impact investing.&nbsp;</h3>Tell us about your background?​My career started in management consulting in the late 80s. My primary role was on the business development side where I brokered the insights of some very smart colleagues amongst C suite executives around the world. Whatever cachet conveys with, “I was a management consultant” is not mine to claim. I was a glorified “sales guy” whose job was to grow the firm’s client base. The firm, Corporate Executive Board, had a successful IPO in 1999. In 2001, I was able to pivot to investing in start-ups across a broad spectrum of industries (renewable energy, life sciences, SaaS, consumer goods, IT &amp; various technology plays). My very first investment was a terrific success; that was unlucky as it led me to believe I had the “Midas Touch,” and it took several&nbsp;subsequent investments (i.e., total losses) for me to grasp just how hard start-up investing can be.<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/JB_1_907d6aef21.jpeg"></figure>How did you learn about RENEW and the Impact Angel Network?&nbsp;After hearing I had done some small-scale investing in Ethiopia (also total losses), a mutual acquaintance, David Grizzle, introduced my wife, Julie, to Laura Davis. Julie had come alongside an NGO in Ethiopia that was helping women rebuild their lives after prostitution. In 2015, Laura helped Julie find employment for these women.&nbsp;&nbsp;Why are you interested in Ethiopia? Tell us about some experiences in Ethiopia? What do you remember about your first visit?&nbsp;I first came to Ethiopia in 2009 and was completely smitten. So much so I returned with my entire family (six of us!), and we lived there for three months. What struck me, and has stayed with me, is the depth of relationships Ethiopians have with each other. In the fast-paced world of the West, we have lost the joy of just being together without distraction.What lessons did you learn from your first investments in Ethiopia?The primary reason my initial, personal investments failed in Ethiopia was because of some unfounded assumptions on my part.&nbsp; Basic business principles (accounting, finance, governance, operations, etc.) were missing AND I did not stay on the ground with these companies to help them. I wrote a check, got fewer and fewer updates as time went on and then I stopped hearing from them altogether. Granted these were very small investments, but (at least) two principles hold. First, failure to define and agree upon frameworks and methods of business processes prior to investing won’t end well, regardless of the smarts and integrity of the entrepreneur being backed. Second, given how much time this first part takes, if you are not on the ground, cheek to jowl, day in and day out, having close, substantive, “in the weeds” exchanges, you will not be able to effectively assess and prioritize what needs to happen next.<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/JB_2_8ee906aa5b.jpeg"></figure>What motivates you to be involved in impact investing?Like any human, I can’t see the suffering of extreme poverty. Over the years, I have gotten involved with various international aid efforts – everything from drilling freshwater wells to medical education and training for people working with very sick children. While this work has been life-changing for its recipients, it hasn’t changed the circumstances surrounding them. Investing in viable enterprises and seeing them through to ever-expanding horizons of success displaces poverty and its concomitant miseries. As a businessman, I see profit and ROI as the only reliable markers to identify which businesses are viable. The aim in impact investing is to make money, but if I do, I know it will ultimately replace suffering with opportunities for other humans to flourish.&nbsp;

Jonathan Baker, an investor with RENEW, shares his background and motivations for impact investing. 

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Reflections After a Recent Visit to Addis

<h1 style="text-align:center;">Is the U.S. Really on the Upswing? Just Don’t Compare it to Africa…</h1> While the Economic Times reports a third straight downward revision for the U.S. growth rate, nations across Africa are enjoying strong futures.The U.S. rebound from a soft mid-year still leaves 2011 predictions for real GDP growth rate at 2.5%.Meanwhile, <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201007090873.html">Sub-Saharan Africa</a> is predicted to more than double the U.S. The IMF calculates an average growth rate of 6% in 2011 with more than a few countries fueling that explosion. African Development Bank is most bullish on <a href="http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article35599">Ethiopia</a>, who leads the way with 10.9% growth while also projected to hit all Millennium Development goals by 2015. Rwanda and <a href="http://www.africagoodnews.com/business/economy/2121-imf-sees-strong-zambia-economic-growth-in-2011.html">Zambia</a> are also expected to be strong around 6-6.7%. <a href="http://www.timeslive.co.za/business/2010/08/30/imf-botswanas-gdp-seen-at-8.4">Botswana</a> is predicted at 8.3% and <a href="http://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/ugandas-growth-expected-to-outpace-big-brother-kenya/3698">Uganda</a> recent oil discovery has them hovering around 7% as well. Tanzania exceeds the average as it directly benefits from the regional growth due to strength in food exports.If these numbers seem too uncertain or unpersuasive, simply consider an indicator the U.S. is all too familiar with – <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/business/28views.html?src=busln">Walmart</a> has made a bid for Massmart, a consumer goods chain with stores throughout the region.

...nations across Africa are enjoying strong futures.

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Is the U.S. Really on the Upswing? Just Don’t Compare it to Africa…

<h1 style="text-align:center;">How Big is the Opportunity in Africa??</h1>While the world continues to circle around the question of sustainable development in Africa, moving from aid to investment, the question of scalability continues to pop up; "really how big is the opportunity in Africa?"Kai Krause used a creative graphic representation, something that would go in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Miscellaneum-Colorful-Worlds-Consequential/dp/0061748366">Visual Miscellaneum</a>, to show that Africa has the whole (investment) world, in its hand.<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/Africa_True_Size_Krause_5f795f21c4.png"></figure>The factors that allowed these "investing" countries to have their own industrial and agricultural revolutions are rapidly assimilating in Africa, fueled by an increasingly sophisticated working class. Any one of these countries has enjoyed success as a world power, economic leader, or established emergent economy throughout time....and ALL of them fit in this ONE continent?Of course there are countervailing factors, but the data speaks for itself -- Africa is huge. So while each of these countries has had centuries to maximize the land they were given, Africa has just begun...

Kai Krause used a creative graphic representation...

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How Big is the Opportunity in Africa??

<h1 style="text-align:center;">Ethiopia Angel Trip 1: Overview and Photos</h1>The Ethiopia Angel Trip 1 (ETAT 1) is underway. From February 26 to March 4, 2012 a group of five angel investors from around the United States are with the RENEW team visiting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ethiopia. So far the ETAT 1 group has visited with six entrepreneurs (seen or learned about more than 15 potential investments), toured the city, visited the Ethiopian Commodities Exchange, eaten at several local establishments (injera anyone?) and enjoyed too many macchiatos to count. Here are some photos of several of the businesses the group has visited. More photos coming soon...Housing Project<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/2012_Ethiopia_b23dc80814.jpg"></figure>Project Overview: On the outskirts of Addis Ababa, this project meets a growing need for housing among returning Diaspora, expatriates and local Ethiopians. The project includes plans for the first 18-hole golf course in Ethiopia, shopping, a school, a medical facility and more.Medical Diagnostic Facility<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/2012_Ethiopia1_478f27c5f0.jpg"></figure>Project Overview: Providing diagnostic medical services since 2009, this 24-hour clinic continues to add service offerings for patients and doctors in Addis Ababa. The clinic currently provides computed tomography (CT) scans, digital X-ray, ultrasound, laboratory diagnostics and several other services.Sustainable Farm<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/2012_Ethiopia2_79e194aeae.jpg"></figure>Project Overview: This 20 hectare farm outside of Addis offers small vegetables to several European markets and fresh tilapia to the Ethiopian market. Additionally, chickpea trials are underway to improve the production potential of Ethiopian small holder farmers.

From February 26 to March 4, 2012 a group of five angel investors from around the U.S....

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Ethiopia Angel Trip 1: Overview and Photos

<h1 style="text-align:center;">Ethiopia Angel Trip 1: Overview and Photos, Cont.</h1>During the Ethiopia Angel Trip 1 (ETAT 1), from February 26 to March 4, 2012, a group of five angel investors from around the United States joined the RENEW team in Addis Ababa to learn about Ethiopia's business climate, meet local entrepreneurs, build relationships with partners, and experience Ethiopia's vibrant culture. Everyone agreed that Ethiopia is in a period of significant growth and that good investment opportunities can be found across multiple sectors.During the trip, the group conducted site visits to local businesses, toured the city, met with the U.S. Ambassador and other partners, visited the Ethiopian Commodities Exchange, purchased hand-made goods and enjoyed the local cuisine and coffee. Several from the group rounded out the trip with a weekend visit to the northern town of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lalibela">Lalibela</a>, known for it's rock-hewn churches.Multi-Sector Entrepreneurs<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/Addis_and_Lewis_Hotel_Car_Gravel_Collage_70d1ef0614.jpg"></figure>Project Overview: This family conglomerate participates in a variety of sectors in and around Addis Ababa including construction, manufacturing, agriculture and gravel mining. This group of businesses is an example of what a recent <a href="http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/03/what_africas_entrepreneurs_can.html">HBR article</a> deems a positive trend towards cross-sectoral entrepreneurship and diversification among African entrepreneurs.Cement Block Factory<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/Block_Factory_Collage_3e99ec05ff.jpg"></figure>Project Overview: As the largest producer of cement blocks in Ethiopia, this factory runs 24 hours a day and still experiences significant purchase backlogs. An investment to modernize the facility would help meet demand in a city with what seems like hundreds of buildings currently under construction.Ethiopian Coffee<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/Coffee_Collage_8549335959.jpg"></figure>Project Overview: This well known coffee destination in Ethiopia is the largest domestic purchaser of Ethiopian coffee, participating throughout the coffee supply chain. A trip to Ethiopia is not complete without a visit to the original store in the Piazza area of Addis. The group was able to see the entire supply chain of coffee - from plant to cup.Lalibela Ethiopia<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/Lalibela_Collage_337dddf690.jpg"></figure>Respite Overview: A short flight away from Addis on Ethiopian Airways, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lalibela">Lalibela</a> offers visitors a variety of amazing experiences and views including the monolithic churches dating back more than 900 years and widely accepted to be a replication of Jerusalem. If you go, be sure to visit Ben Abeba in time for sunset and dinner.

Everyone agreed that Ethiopia is in a period of significant growth...

Ethiopia Angel Trip 1: Overview and Photos, Cont.

<h1 style="text-align:center;">Part 4: A Case Study in Ethiopia</h1>A New Strategy for Africa and other Emerging Economies (Part 4): A Case Study in Ethiopia. Note: this post is a bit longer than the others, but hopefully worth the read.When you’re given permission to have a different perspective…We recently hosted a group of “impact angel” investors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, so I thought it would be fitting to share a bit about what we observed during their trip, and how this approach is helping shape a new strategy for how the U.S. and West can engage Africa and the developing world. I will organize the blog into three sections: (1) a brief recap to orient us about where we are in the series; (2) the impact angel trip to Ethiopia; and (3) how this all fits into the new strategy.Orientation First, a quick recap of where we are in our series. We started (<a href="part-1-angel-investing-impact-investing-and-smes.html">Angel Investing, Impact Investing and SMEs</a>) by explaining that we believe three trends will shape a new strategy for how the U.S. and West can engage Africa and the developing world. They are: (1) the rise of angel investors; (2) the potential of SMEs in developing countries; and (3) the formalization of impact investing. We then dove into angel investing. Blog 2 (<a href="part-2-rise-angel-investors.html">The Rise of Angel Investors</a>) talked about how angel investors are a major driver behind the growth of the private sector in developed countries like the U.S. (angel investing rivals in size to venture capital but invests in many times more businesses.) In blog 3 (<a href="part-3-angels-going-global.html">Angels Going Global</a>), we talked about how angel investors are ‘going global’, driven by enabling technologies, affordable global travel, the rise of wealthy BRIC-angels, and the formalization of impact investing (investing for profit and social gains.) We profiled some famous and up-and-coming angel investors, and observed that angel investing in developing countries can be lucrative, and requires investors to have a network of people they trust to support their remote investing.Impact Angels in Ethiopia In this blog I will provide (1) some background on what we did leading up to our recent investor trip; (2) a high-level rundown of what happened during the week; and (3) some observations we made of the group.Leading up to the trip: RENEW spent more than seven weeks preparing the group for their trip to Ethiopia. We hosted a dinner for them in Washington, D.C. (served Ethiopian of course); ran conference calls; provided documents and emails containing information on specific business opportunities, Ethiopia’s economy, growth sectors, and investment laws; and provided guidelines to ensure the group was prepared for business conversations in Ethiopia’s cultural context.A rundown of the week: Here’s a very high-level snapshot of what happened during the week the team was in Addis. We had:<ul><li>Nine site visits with local businesses to see their operations</li><li>Between 15 and 20 formal and informal meetings with entrepreneurs over lunch, in lobbies and at their places of business</li><li>Two meetings with Ethiopia government leaders to discuss Ethiopia’s policies towards foreign investors and plans for the country’s health sector</li><li>Lunch with the U.S. Ambassador and USAID Mission Director to learn about what the U.S. government is doing to stimulate private sector investments in Ethiopia</li><li>Several visits out of Addis to innovative projects (including one of the best hospitals we have seen in Africa), and to visit the breathtaking and historic city of Lalibela</li><li>A cultural dinner night to taste the local foods, smell the Ethiopian spices, watch Ethiopian dancers, and listen to Ethiopian music</li><li>A visit to a leadership academy that is training local youth to work with the poor</li><li>Countless side excursions to local restaurants and shops</li><li>Numerous meetings with local friends and new acquaintances</li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/Album_6abfb8f4a1.jpg"></figure><a href="ethiopia-angel-trip-1-overview-and-photos-cont.html">See more pictures here.</a>Observations of the group: There were five in the group (excluding the RENEW team), all with various backgrounds including medicine, accounting, investing, management, entrepreneurship, and music and the arts. Most had skills that spanned multiple industries. Some had extensive experience traveling in Africa. Some had not visited for years while others make regular trips. Needless to say, all of this offered us hours of discussions in the car between meetings, and stories over evening dinners.Here’s what we observed (Note: The group understood that we would be taking notes of their reactions for the purpose of continuous improvement of our process.):<ol><li>They were surprised by Ethiopia’s growth: As our car buzzed through Addis, down newly paved roads, passing literally hundreds of concrete skeletons reaching toward the sky, we heard one investor say “the growth is almost overwhelming.”</li><li>They were excited that their skills and experiences applied: The doctor inquired about the radiologist’s certifications at the diagnostic center; the executive observed the need for stronger middle management; the entrepreneur asked about the local dairy supply chain; and the accountant eyed the thriving shops at the local market, running numbers in his head. They were all excited to “talk shop.”</li><li>They were eager to understand the business environment: Many were curious about the foundational elements of the country’s economy. Any concerns that were raised centered around government controls, investment laws, inflation, and the ease of getting money out of the country.</li><li>They were respectful and curious of the culture: A few had come prepared and were well-read on Ethiopia’s history and culture. One in particular became the resident ‘Ethiopia maven’ providing insightful context for much of what we experienced.</li><li>They were first drawn to the entrepreneur, and then their business: Many say the key to investing is to ‘trust your gut.’ In developing markets, where credit scores and audited financial statements are hard to come by, your gut read becomes your best ally. Post-meeting car talk focused on the their impressions of the entrepreneur, and then moved to the growth potential of the business.</li><li>They were focused on building relationships: Business follows relationships, and everyone knew this. The group wanted to spend more time getting to know a few key people, than rushing around to briefly engage with many people.</li><li>Most understood the need to ‘go slow to go fast’: Many saw the wisdom in starting with an investment between $100K and $2M before committing larger sums of capital.</li><li>They enjoyed connecting with each other: You get to know a lot about people when you spend five days buzzing around a foreign city. The car rides became a classroom where investors shared war stories, battle wounds and lessons learned. They asked each other as many questions as they asked the entrepreneurs.</li></ol>The results: In the end, we got strong commitments to move forward on some opportunities. There’s a lot of work to be done, but overall the trip was a huge success.How this fits into a new strategy for how the West can engage Africa What happens when you change the perspective by which people view something? For years I believed Africa was full of problems, until I went to Uganda in 2006. Before I left, someone told me, “Don’t go and try to fix anything. Go there to have fun.”What would happen if you gave a group of Western business and investment professionals the permission to come to a developing country with a different purpose – to look for opportunities? We believe there’s considerable potential. Here’s why.If you have ever read the book <a href="http://www.heathbrothers.com/switch/">“Switch”</a> by the Heath brothers, you would recall three actors that influence people to change: (1) The rider who deals with one’s logic. (2) The elephant that deals with one’s emotion. And (3) a path that provides a new way for the elephant and rider to move together. If the two are not aligned, and there is no path, change doesn’t happen. The book details how marketing firms are masters of creating and implementing these strategies. It also shows how others have altered the course of a country by understanding these three fundamentals of change (I am grossly oversimplifying the book - so I recommend reading it!). &nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/Elephant_Rider_Path_95b748aad8.png"></figure>Graphic from http://tradingaprofit.blogspot.comNow, let’s apply this theory to what we are doing in Ethiopia. Your “rider” may have read the December 2011 issue of the Economist titled <a href="http://www.economist.com/node/21541015">“The hopeful continent: Africa rising,”</a> and concluded that Africa is in fact changing. Your elephant may get excited by the opportunity to get involved in the growth of a continent, or it may be upset that you passed on the opportunity in China 15 years ago. Your elephant may also know deep down inside, that, although giving to charities is a good thing, and aid has helped millions of people, it is the private sector in developing countries that will ultimately pull countries out of poverty – I’ll tell you for a fact, people in Africa want jobs rather than donations. Yet your rider and elephant may struggle to agree on how to proceed. There has not been a clear path for them both to take. The donor path, which has been well traveled for years, is the only real option you know. And as much as your rider may tug the elephant to take a new path, the elephant is nervous and bigger. So, exhausted, the rider concedes and you either do nothing or continue giving (which again, is good! It’s just not what we focus on.).But, what if there was a path? After a week of observing a team of five investors in Ethiopia, who were given the permission to look for opportunities, we can comfortably conclude that the elephant and rider agree, and in fact, are already starting down the new path. The path involves several weeks of preparation before you get on the plane. It involves a well-run investment trip. It requires follow-up from an in-country team of professionals to help you register as an investor, negotiate terms with the business, structure the deal, oversee the disbursement of capital, monitor and consult your investment, and ensure you get your returns. Now the rider and elephant can go down a new path, and use their capital and skills to build the private sector in a developing country, and have a huge impact on the local economy.Put all of this together, and you see how angel investors, seeking a financial and social impact from their investments, can change how the U.S. and West engage with countries like Ethiopia. In a few years I hope to see the airports and hotel lobbies in Addis filled with Western businessmen and women – not just our savvy friends to the East.So our request to you: Next time you’re planning a trip to visit a developing country, start with a different framework – look for opportunities (vs. problems). If your rider and elephant agree, this is the first step down the path of a new strategy for how the West can engage with Africa and other emerging economies.We would like to conclude by thanking the business owners, U.S. government officials, local partners, Ethiopian government leaders, and the many others that took the time to meet with the angels. The investors mentioned that meeting you (they mentioned many of you by name) was the most valuable part of their experience.And of course we want to thank the impact angels. You are truly pioneering a new model that, we believe, will have a huge impact in Ethiopia. And yes, more opportunities are coming soon...

...how this approach is helping shape a new strategy for how the U.S. and West can engage Africa...

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Part 4: A Case Study in Ethiopia

<h1 style="text-align:center;">In the Field with RENEW</h1>We are going to take a brief pause in our series on a New Strategy for Africa, to share some things we’ve learned about being in Ethiopia. Many have written to us asking “What exactly are you looking for?” and “What have you learned?” So, we thought we would try to answer some of these questions.<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/Ethiopia_Feb_26_to_Mar_4_2012_036_2_8c0b5f780f.jpg"></figure>Question: “What exactly are you looking for when you are working in Ethiopia?”Answer: There are a number of things we look for when we are working in a country like Ethiopia. Overall, we try to create a system and network that allows us to find good businesses. Here’s what we look for, the reasons why, and some helpful hints:<ul><li>Trusted friends/partners: The term “partners” is probably too formal for what I need in emerging economies. Friends are key. Without a network of people you trust, working in emerging economies would be nearly impossible. You cannot rush this. You’ll need to invest your time (often years), and show you are serious (i.e. open an office). Flying in for a week is good, but not enough. And even if you do make the commitment to move, get comfortable with being the new kid for awhile. I often remind myself to “keep my mouth shut and my eyes and ears open.” Hint: Try to reserve your opinion about something related to the country – even if you have one. Chances are that will change as you learn more. And try to withhold judgment. Mannerisms and customs in foreign countries are unique and different.</li><li>Helpful tips: A helpful tip like, “shop here for this,” or “I wouldn’t necessarily go to them for that” can come from anyone at any time. Write these tips down and read through them at the end of every week. It’s often hard to find a single point of truth related to investment law, upcoming policy changes, market changes, etc. Even asking the bellman at a local hotel “How’s business this week?” will help you find out who is in town, whether the electricity may be diverted away from your area of town to another, and which roads to avoid. Hint: If you have a bad short-term memory, carry a small notebook and pen in the lapel of your jacket.</li><li>Relevant documents: “The recent version of this is on-line” is not something you often hear in an emerging economy. But getting the recent version of a relevant document is invaluable. Hint: If I’m in a meeting and someone says they have an updated version of something and they are willing to make a copy…I happily wait.</li><li>Quality entrepreneurs: This will be the subject of another post, but the bottom line here is we are looking for good entrepreneurs. Once I find a solid entrepreneur, the market opportunity they are pursuing and the business they are running are generally well thought through. I’ll spend 75% of my due diligence on an opportunity speaking with people about them. Hint: Always trust your “gut” over the numbers. If you don’t have a good read on people, hire someone that does. Intuition is critical for opportunity hunting. Also, be a good questioner – meaning, learn the art of getting information about someone without asking direct questions. Direct questions and direct answers are not common practice in many developing countries.</li><li>Bright spots: I am always looking for success stories: Who has succeeded in this country? Why? What did they do? How did they do it? What’s their story? Just as important as finding the next market leaders in a country is learning from the current ones. Since RENEW began, we have had the pleasure of meeting with some of the most successful business leaders in the developing countries we’ve visited. Hint: I’ve gotten more from a three-hour dinner with someone that has already succeeded in a country, than all the businesses courses I’ve taken.</li><li>Numbers: I love numbers. The price per square meter for office space, someone’s average monthly electricity bills, the current price of a kilo of sugar, the annual cost to run a 52-bedroom hospital. All of these numbers must live in a spreadsheet because they help me with projections, and vetting financials. Hint: Another good thing to jot down in that wonderful pocket notepad of yours.</li><li>Recommendations: Always ask – “Do you have anyone you’d recommend for X?” Whether you're looking for a good dry cleaner, or if you are doing your due diligence on someone (see above about asking good questions), I am always looking for good recommendations. Hint: Triangulate recommendation. Use the ‘Colombo approach’ – “One more quick question. Have you every heard about this person?” Listen closely to their answer.</li><li>Landmarks: Landmarks are used to describe where people are vs. an actual address. I, or my copilot, am always looking for big landmarks – these become your navigation tools. “We are close to Edna Mall.” Hint: You better know where Edna Mall is.</li><li>Restaurants, vendors, and hotspots: When the power goes out, where do you go to recharge and connect? Continuity of operations is critical. Those that have a rolodex of options will succeed in emerging markets. When I am at a new restaurant I pull out my iPhone to see if there’s a WiFi signal. Then I check how fast it is. Hint: If the food is good and the wall outlet works, it’s an office!</li></ul>Now, here is the general rundown about the actual opportunities we’re looking for:<ul><li>An established business: SMEs should be existing business that have been running for no less than two years, with an annual turnover greater than $100,000 – start-ups are just too risky.</li><li>An experienced entrepreneur: Ideally they have worked at a large company in the same industry.</li><li>A growing business: We’re looking for companies that need expansion/growth capital and are projecting no less than 20% growth.</li></ul>We are generally sector agnostic, but we like businesses in:<ul><li>Agro-processing</li><li>Manufacturing</li><li>Logistics</li><li>Healthcare</li><li>Information and communication technology (ICT)</li></ul>Next week we will answer “What does a typical week look like for the RENEW team in the field?” Until then, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions <a href="mailto:renew@renewcapital.com">renew@renewcapital.com</a> or follow us on Twitter @RENEWLLC.

Some things we’ve learned about being in Ethiopia...

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In the Field with RENEW

<h1 style="text-align:center;">In the Field with RENEW - Part 2</h1>Continuing with <a href="field-renew.html">In the Field with RENEW,</a> we share what a typical week looks like for the RENEW team in Ethiopia.Question: “What exactly does the RENEW team do in a typical week?”Answer: There are a number of things we do when we are working in a country like Ethiopia. Our activities are generally organized into a few bins:<ul><li>Bin 1 – Building a trusted network: As I mentioned in our last post, without a network of people you trust, working in emerging economies would be nearly impossible. Thus, our team invests considerable amounts of our time finding people we can trust. This is not a quantity game, and takes time. This is an art not a science. Do you have good emotional intelligence? If so, you’ll do well at building a trusted network. People need to trust you, and they will not if you rush your time with them, make the purpose of every meeting about ‘your objectives’, come off as self-serving, or don’t respect local customs. Our team spends about 30% of our time building a trusted network. This number is especially high at the onset of our time in a country. This looks like going to dinners, grabbing coffees, hosting dinners, or meeting for drinks. Our goal is to build genuine, mutually beneficial relationships.</li><li>Bin 2 – Finding and vetting opportunities: Initially, we don’t spend a lot of time in the field building up our pipeline with opportunities. Once we have a strong trusted network, our time is more focused on vetting opportunities. This isn’t just due diligence, but also requires considerable amounts of time preparing the documentation needed to invest in a business. Initially the team spends about 25% of our time in this bin, and later much more as we become more established.</li><li>Bin 3 – Understanding how to navigate the system: This is another HUGE time commitment, especially at the beginning of our time in a country. This involves meeting with government officials, and traveling from one office to the next, until we can find someone that has the latest information about investment laws, knows the right procedures, and has the current forms. This takes up about 30% of our time. It involves face-to-face meetings, traveling from one office to the next, desk research, and meeting with local attorneys and accountants. Understanding how to navigate the system makes up one of the biggest investments our company has to bear, but it is absolutely necessary to ensure we create the right environment for our impact angels to invest.</li><li>Bin 4 – Prep and follow-up: Finally, when we can find a good hotspot, we are emailing and making calls to either prepare for an angel trip, or follow up with angels in the U.S. Ensuring we are responsive to requests from investors is very important, especially in a world where responsiveness and quality are still developing habits.</li></ul>There is a fifth bin, which we could call “the RENEW magic” but we’ll save that for those of you who will work with us. We can’t give all of our secrets away. ;)

....we share what a typical week looks like for the RENEW team in Ethiopia.

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In the Field with RENEW - Part 2

<h1 style="text-align:center;">&nbsp;Case Study: Ethiopia</h1>ETHIOPIA: GETTING IN ON THE GROUND FLOOR<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/graphic_renew_ethiopia_pipeline_diagram_150e5297b5.png"></figure>Since 2005, members of the RENEW team have been exploring opportunities in Ethiopia. Anticipating the country’s growth, RENEW spent years building relationships with local partners and members of the Diaspora, learning the business environment, and witnessing the impressive growth across Addis and other cities throughout Ethiopia.In 2012, RENEW formalized our presence in what many believe to be one of the fastest growing economies in the world. In February, RENEW opened our East Africa office in Addis. In addition to navigating the formal registration process, our team has begun to develop a quality pipeline of investment opportunities, and we are currently closing our first investments.We have a strong network of local technical assistance (TA) partners, development organizations, and professional firms including lawyers, accountants and consultants that share our vision to establish an angel investment market in Ethiopia. We have begun organizing a number of investors throughout the U.S. and Europe, and our investment activity will increase over the next two years.FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR PROJECT IN ETHIOPIA: <a href="https://www.renewcapital.com/newsroom/Ethiopia%20Angel%20Trip%201%20Overview%20and%20Photos">Ethiopia Angel Trip: Overview and Photos</a> <a href="https://www.renewcapital.com/newsroom/Ethiopia%20Angel%20Trip%201%20Overview%20and%20Photos%20Cont">Ethiopia Angel Trip: Overview and Photos, Continued</a> <a href="https://www.renewcapital.com/newsroom/In%20the%20Field%20with%20RENEW" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">In the Field with RENEW</a> <a href="https://www.renewcapital.com/newsroom/In%20the%20Field%20with%20RENEW%20%20Part%202" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">In the Field with RENEW - Part 2</a> <a href="https://www.renewcapital.com/newsroom" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Visit RENEW's Ethiopia Blog Page</a>