Designed to foster knowledge-sharing and collaboration among entrepreneurs and professionals throughout Africa, it allows paid virtual sessions with various experts.
Entourage, a digital platform developed by a Beninese startup, allows entrepreneurs and professionals to book paid virtual sessions with experts across various sectors in Africa.
Launched in September 2024 by Raodath Aminou, the platform has already attracted more than 500 users. "In African environments, access to knowledge remains limited because the culture of sharing is still underdeveloped. It's essential to overcome these challenges to broaden the dissemination of knowledge and contribute to building a more prosperous Africa," said Raodath Aminou.
Unlike many modern solutions, Entourage doesn't have a mobile app. Users visit the web platform to explore expert profiles and book sessions. Experts are categorized into business development, career development, and sectoral insights.
During these virtual sessions, users can discuss a variety of topics with their chosen experts to find quick solutions to their challenges. Professionals can explore career options, seek guidance based on their qualifications, skills, aspirations, and experiences. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, can receive valuable advice on growing their businesses or launching new projects. Entourage offers session lengths of 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes.
A key feature of the booking process is that users provide the expert with sample questions in advance, helping the expert better understand the client's expectations. After booking, both parties receive a confirmation email with all the relevant details, followed by a reminder email the day before the session. At the end of the coaching session, both the user and the expert rate each other.
Stanislas Zézé, CEO of Bloomfield Investment Corporation and one of Entourage's featured experts, emphasized the importance of mentorship: "Mentorship is essential to guide young entrepreneurs because those who have already started businesses better understand the challenges of the business world."
Adoni Conrad Quenum
