“Ivy, are you going?” I was asked repeatedly. “Yeah, I think I am, but I’m not sure. What about you?”
Afifah replied, “Sure, maybe for a day.”
Java said, “I’ll go and maybe see Zadar for the last time.”
Isabel added, “I’m not very sure yet.”
Daniela chimed in, “Of course, it’s a great opportunity.”
Nardos exclaimed, “I am excited.”
These were the conversations leading up to the event. However, on the day itself, we all made it, ready to learn, be inspired, network, and at least grab some free lunch.
I initially thought what would captivate me the most would be witnessing an event that drew over 4,000 people to one venue or listening to hundreds of specialists discuss integral topics in the tech world. I imagined being amazed by wireless robots navigating through crowds or controlling a real car from a thousand miles away. Perhaps it would be driving a Tesla through the streets of Zadar—which I did—but no. What really resonated with me was one simple little thing, but before I tell you, let me explain why I was captivated.
As an entrepreneur currently pursuing an Erasmus joint master’s program in Impact Entrepreneurship (EMMIE), I understand that the single most important aspect of business is listening to your customers. This principle has been emphasized to me repeatedly, yet I often fail to adhere to it. However, a moment during the event made me understand its significance.
My friend and I were at the Ambacia company stand when I mentioned that I wasn’t a tech professional. Ambacia specializes in hiring tech experts for various companies across the region. Despite not being their target market, the attendant graciously offered us free merchandise—the highlight of any event. He went on to hand us an item, and we were hesitant, then he listed the items he had as options. When he mentioned notebooks, we were very delighted and said those are what we actually needed. I walked out of there a very happy potential client simply because he did not try to force his merch on me, he simply found out what I needed, and offered me that.
This encounter reinforced that customers don’t care about products, they don’t care if those products are the best, the fastest, or the most efficient even if they are free, they care whether you can satisfy a need they have.
Another company that stood out to me was Fonoa—a platform that assists companies in complying with tax regulations across different countries. I convinced my friends to join their workshop where we attempted to design a system architecture capable of collecting invoice data from numerous companies, processing it, and filing it according to each country’s tax requirements and regulations. This task seemed daunting for someone with a business background and relatively straightforward for a systems developer—guess which category I fell into.
A notable highlight of the event was attending a talk on venture capital secrets by Francois Mazoudier. He debunked many myths young founders hold about VCs and provided insights on how to attract and vet suitable funding opportunities. He emphasized that “not all money is good money,” advising founders to scrutinize potential investors just as they themselves are evaluated. Moreover, he suggested that companies seeking funding often find more favourable opportunities with smaller funds rather than big-name investors. His advice included conducting thorough research rather than merely following popular narratives about a stagnant investment market; even in such times, companies are still raising millions.
The two-day summit unfolded seamlessly and a blessing in disguise for me was sitting next to our ZSEM dean Mato Njavro, who enthusiastically volunteered me to speak about my business during one session. I remember looking back in an attempt to misdirect the speaker who was pointing at me—what a laughable moment! However, after holding the microphone and having the words spewing out of me like a birthday clown singing Happy Birthday, I felt at home talking about Tynka Global — our investment marketplace aimed at making investments in local businesses more accessible. Why not buy into the company if you are always buying from it? I hope you have noticed me practising the advice he gave me: “Never miss an opportunity to talk about what you’re doing.” Having my dean commend and encourage me was incredibly heartwarming; I urge my classmates to sit near faculty members—it might just provide the push you need.
My experience was made complete when I met Duncan Mochama, a fellow Kenyan working as an ecosystem developer at Infobip for the East African market. He shared exciting plans for hosting similar summits across Africa and worldwide to create more opportunities for people. He also spoke in a panel highlighting the potential Africa has not only as a tech hub but also as a resource and market for various companies across the world. Interestingly enough, we discovered we graduated from the same university back in Nairobi—a small world indeed.
If you were to ask me whether I would attend Infobip Shift again, my answer would be an unequivocal yes. This time around, I got to ask my friends too and hear their thoughts:
Afifah: “Of course! I enjoyed it.”
Java: “Totally! Why not?”
Isabel: “Yeah, it was nice.”
Daniela: “Definitely! I won’t miss it for anything.”
Nardos: “I am glad I went.”
I wish you could hear their amazing voices, intonations and accents. Next time, I’ll describe them to you—or better yet, you’ll hear them in the stories they will share with you during this EMMIE journey. Hope to see you reading soon!
Ivy Bina
