MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Global business leaders are holding a summit for small businesses that run into challenges securing capital investments.
A foundation that focuses on providing minority and black businesses with the resources to succeed in their communities is hosting a two-day summit. The UNUM One Foundation gathered national and international business leaders for its inaugural Horizon: Global Agriculture Investment Summit at the Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus.
The summit began Wednesday (June 12) and members of the foundation say a large part of the event will train business owners on how to sustain their businesses using technology to reach broader markets.
“The other elements of conversation were pertaining to how do we bridge further Africa and the United States when it comes to agriculture,” said founder and CEO Mamadou Toure of The Ubuntu Group. “A key element that people tend to forget often is, Africa’s size – Africa’s middle class is close to 300 million people.”
A few examples of the sessions from day one included:
- Empowering Change: The Rising Influence of Women Investors
- Structuring Business for Maximum Investment and Revenue Generation
- Global Investment Opportunities: US & Africa
- Integrating Public and Private Investment in Ag. Small Farms and Businesses
The foundation says they’re trying to fund and build the next generation of businesses and the agricultural industry.
“Whenever I say agriculture, people typically think row crop or CapEx equipment and agriculture is in everything and it’s everywhere,” said co-founder Tina Taylor of UNUM One Foundation. “Everything that you’re wearing is ag, everything that you eat is ag. When you look at this camera, you have pigments and oils that’s coming from animal fats. You have so many creatives that’s in that process as well.”
The chairman of the foundation is from northeast Louisiana and sees the area’s high potential for innovation in agriculture.
“But I do understand and appreciate the fact that there’s a need and an opportunity that exists in the area. Agriculture is a good place to build things, but there needs to be a collaboration between different groups to link together workforce development, business partnering and innovation,” said chairman Michael Stubblefield of UNUM One Foundation.
The summit will continue through Thursday (June 13).
Copyright 2024 KNOE. All rights reserved.
