Behind every thriving startup is a strong network of supporters. On 4 March, 20+ Dutch businesses joined Orange Corners and the NL Ministry of Foreign Affairs at De Hallen Studios in Amsterdam to explore how we can strengthen public-private partnerships to better support young entrepreneurs across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Since opening our first Orange Corner in South Africa in 2016, we’ve seen firsthand how private sector engagement can go far beyond financial contributions. It’s also about mentorship, masterclasses, and sharing industry know-how – really equipping young entrepreneurs with the tools to turn bold ideas into impactful businesses.
The lunch brought together inspiring voices on public-private partnerships, featuring insights from Marchel Gerrmann (Ambassador for Business and Development, NL Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Yasmina Khababi (Freshtable). But the best endorsements come straight from businesses that are already partnering with us. And when it comes to backing Orange Corners, few have done it with more energy than Heineken. They’ve been with us from day one – so much so that our speaker Guus Vermeulen even called them a founding partner. Today, their collaboration spans seven different countries. Huge thanks to Guus for sharing Heineken’s experience on stage!
Afterwards, Yasmina took us on a culinary journey through the Orange Corners network, with dishes from Algeria, Egypt, Mali, Mozambique, Ghana, Senegal and more.
Great conversations, meaningful connections and delicious food—exactly what collaboration is all about!
