He's helping Africa move from consuming tech to creating it.
In this conversation, Dr. Kamao Gachigi shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of industrialization for economic development in Africa. He discusses the founding of Gearbox, a makerspace and hardware accelerator in Kenya, and its mission to empower innovators and entrepreneurs. Dr. Gachigi explains the pivot to a for-profit model in partnership with Europlacer, focusing on high-mix, low-volume electronic manufacturing. He also emphasizes the significance of partnerships, values, and the future of manufacturing in Africa, while identifying opportunities for entrepreneurs in the region.
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction to Dr. Kamao Gachigi and Gearbox
(01:02) The Journey to Industrialization in Africa
(07:10) Challenges in Everyday Kenyan Life and the Birth of Gearbox
(15:40) Early Days of Gearbox and Types of Innovations
(24:15) Pivoting to a For-Profit Model with Europlacer
(26:31) The Journey of Manufacturing Circuits
(31:11) Partnerships and Collaborations in Manufacturing
(34:26) Metrics and Customer Relationships
(41:07) The Future of Manufacturing in Africa
(42:30) Opportunities for African Entrepreneurs
(46:09) Shifting Perspectives on Entrepreneurship
(47:35) Admiring African Founders and Their Impact
Check them out here: https://www.gearbox-europlacer.com
About Born to Build:
Born to Build is a podcast featuring conversations with the builders, founders, and pioneers driving change from the ground up. Each episode highlights the real stories of SME owners - how they started, what they've overcome, and what keeps them building their business. It's honest, practical business insight from those shaping their industries one bold move at a time, equipping you with the tools to build and grow YOUR business.