Overview:
Kaliisa urges tech entrepreneurs to follow and befriend the successful entrepreneurs in that field so as to get connections.
Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa, the Founder and Executive Director of Chil Artificial Intelligence Lab [Chil AI Lab], has called for resilience among tech entrepreneurs if they want to attract funding for the startups.
According to Kaliisa, while its difficult to raise some investment for a startup, she says giving up is not a choice, urging the tech entrepreneurs to follow and befriend the successful entrepreneurs in that field so as to get connections.
“I know how hard it can be to raise some investment for your start up .This is harder for the female tech entrepreneurs in Africa. This should not lead you into temptation of giving up. Look out four those who have raised money and be friends after some time ask for recommendations,” she says.
At only 26 years of age, Kaliisa has had a successful journey as an entrepreneur. She is a winner of the Takeda Young Entrepreneur Award 2018, Young African Entrepreneur Award 2018, Social Impact Finalist AWIEF Awards 2018, has received an Honourable Mention at the Maathai Impact Award 2019, and was chosen among the top 10 artificial intelligence companies founded in Africa by Google for start-ups. She has also been endorsed by the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
“I know how hard it can be to raise some investment for your start up .This is harder for the female tech entrepreneurs in Africa. This should not lead you into temptation of giving up. Look out four those who have raised money and be friends after some time ask for recommendations,”
Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa, Founder and Executive Director of Chil Artificial Intelligence Lab [Chil AI Lab]
But according to Kaliisa, this does not mean that there are no challenges. She says many funders need positive energy around them.
Therefore, she urges the entrepreneurs to always show progress when they meet potential funders.
“Look for means to show this new friend that you are doing great … They will not endorse you if what you doing is not moving forward. Obviously so many of us are not interested in your coffee meeting but become happy seeing you taking big Boys steps. So when making them friends don’t expect them to accept your coffee meetings,” she advises.
She also urges the entrepreneurs not to be discouraged if turned down for the first time.
“You should also note that so many of us are so busy like really so busy so you have to be patient with us when you opt to make us friends . Don’t be discouraged to rush and say ” she won’t respond ” keep on till that endorsement is made,” she says.
“My language there is something called” KWEGULA” meaning Buying yourself on someone .One of the ways to attract their attention is kwegula, follow them on their personal social media, be positive on their posts don’t be this person who wanted to teach her mum how to give birth,” Kaliisa adds.
She says following and engaging some entrepreneurs on their platforms will easily attract immediate results.
“Some of these female entrepreneurs are so powerful that her posting something on their social media , will bring you people asking for the first meetings!!! Just do all you can to attract their attention. This is gospel to your follow hustler !!! It’s took me 7 months sweet following some Nigerian prominent female entrepreneur till she gave me an endorsement that gave me my ever first investment,” she adds.