Evolving Investment Models to Empower Young Entrepreneurs

In recent years, young entrepreneurs have become a transformative force, driving economic growth through innovative business models and innovative technologies. Yet, they face significant challenges in accessing the resources needed to succeed. Traditional investment models often fail to address the unique needs of young entrepreneurs due to systematic barriers such as reduced access to capital, driven by stringent requirements like high interest rates,  the need for a proven enterprise track record and collateral, which can be difficult for young entrepreneurs to access. Young entrepreneurs may not have an established professional network, making it harder to access valuable advice, mentorship, and investment opportunities. Traditional investors have also been wary to invest in young entrepreneurs due to perceived higher risks, limited experience and untested business models.

Restless Development’s state of youth civil society report also noted that young people are receiving short-term, restricted funding, limiting the opportunity to grow and sustain their businesses. Investors need to  embrace evolving investment models that increase access to funding for all young entrepreneurs, mentorship, and long-term value creation. Investors need to  build and strengthen meaningful partnerships with young entrepreneurs, offer flexible long-term grants, and promote equity-based funding mechanisms. This will lead to increased agency for young entrepreneurs to overcome systemic challenges, maximize their potential, and build and run resilient, impactful enterprises.

In this session, young entrepreneurs, investors and decision makers will reflect on the shifting global needs for entrepreneurship and how investors are shifting their models to better support young entrepreneurs to thrive and innovate. Young entrepreneurs often face stereotypes that can hinder their ability to gain investor confidence. The session will explore several strategies to present themselves as competent and investor-friendly entrepreneurs. We are inviting you to join us and share suitable funding structures that are adaptive and that accommodate the diverse requirements of young entrepreneurs.

Objectives of the session:

• Participants will Identify  financial, regulatory and systemic barriers young people face when accessing investment.
• Participants will learn from real-life case studies of young entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated or challenged existing frameworks through innovative financing strategies.
• The session will explore effective advocacy strategies that young entrepreneurs, in collaboration with public and private partners, use to influence policy reform and create supportive ecosystems to develop strategies that improve financing options for young entrepreneurs.
• Participants will collaborate to brainstorm actionable policy recommendations and solutions that can be pursued at local, national, and international levels to support young entrepreneurs.

Expected Outcomes

• Insights from this session will be captured and analyzed, and a summary brief will be developed. This will inform the policy paper and video spotlight at the end of the series.
• The policy paper will be shared with private enterprises and governments to support youth entrepreneurs better. 

Moderator of the session

Caleb J. Masusu

Speakers of the session

Entrepreneurship Expert – Aashish Adhikari

Youth Speaker – Samiya Abdulkadir Godu