Hello, My name is Frederic Tapé (http://facebook.com/frederic.tape) I am a co-founder and administrator of the newly created social enterprise Akendewa (http://akendewa.org).
Akendewa aims to stimulate the Tech-Web economy in Cote d'Ivoire and french-speaking Africa. We are the iniator of several Web/Tech and social events in Abidjan,Cote d'ivoire, among which Barcamp Abidjan 09 (2010 edition is "les contenus Africains face a écosystème du Web"),Matinée Kacou Ananze and later this year TEDxAbidjan. Aside from these events where we gather the community(http:// facebook.com/akendewa) for ideas and passion sharing,one of the many objectives,we feel will truly spur the growth and development of a productive tech scene is the creation and deployment of Co-working spaces. There are not decent/quality office real estate in high number in Abidjan, and like everywhere else and perhaps more so,freelancers and young web/media/tech companies can not afford to rent or build decent, productivity conducive offices. Problems: -Low number of quality offices -High priced downtown offices -Concentration of offices in not so easy to commute to and from Downtown (mainly due to unbearable traffic jams) -Difficult access to loans for real estate needs of start-ups -Difficult access to loans for equipment needs by individuals or start- ups -Rapidly growing community of developers,coders,writers,designers,marketers,videographers and entrepreneurs does not really have a space they can gather,work at and plan projects from. Solutions: Akendewa Co-Working Spaces will offer a 24/7 working/socializing environment with - (Locally produced)stylish furniture -Fully equipped boardroom that accomodate12-15 people -Lounge/Workshop space that can accomodate +50 people -Well equipped kitchen (with in- house cook,preparing healthy local food) -Fast 24/7 internet access -Shared fax,scanning and copying facilities -Audio visual and conferencing equipment -Controlled Access -Office cleaning service -water,coffee/tea/home made fruit juices -Audiocast & Videocast Studio -8 beds sleeping area -Brain Storming rooms (2) -Relaxing Room(Video Game,Books,Magazines) -Administrative assistant -Servers Income for the local will come from memberships,paid usage of scanner,fax ,printer,servers,administrative assistant,food (drinks & snacks will be free). Our goal is to have a minimun of 5 such facilities in Abidjan and a maximun of 8 throughout the country. ---- ------------- ------------------ ----------------- -------------------- What help I need from the community right now ,aside from finding potential partners,investors or sponsors is advive,questions and insights that will help us paint the best possible approach to achieve this.. Thank you, Frederic Tapé -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en.
