October 2018. It feels like yesterday, yet a lifetime ago. I remember stepping into the bustling energy of Esprit School in Tunisia, a wave of anticipation washing over me. “Comment préparer son pitch” – how to prepare your pitch. It was the title of my masterclass, but really, it was about so much more. It was about igniting the spark of an idea and sharing it with the world.
The room was packed. Not just with Tunisian students, but with bright minds from several other African countries, all drawn to the promise of innovation and entrepreneurship. You could feel the hunger in the air, a collective desire to learn, to create, to make an impact. Forget the dry lectures and formulaic presentations – this was about real connection, real communication.
I didn’t want to just tell them how to pitch. I wanted them to feel it. I wanted them to understand that a pitch isn’t just a sales tactic; it’s a story. It’s the heart of your project, distilled into its most compelling form.
We talked about authenticity. About ditching the corporate jargon and speaking from the soul. About finding the human connection in every audience, whether they’re investors, potential partners, or simply curious listeners.
I remember the questions – sharp, insightful, and full of genuine curiosity. They weren’t afraid to challenge me, to push for deeper understanding. And that’s what made it so special. It wasn’t a one-way street; it was a conversation, a collaboration.
We worked on simplifying complex ideas, on finding the relatable thread that would connect with anyone. We practiced delivering pitches with passion, with conviction, with the kind of energy that makes people sit up and take notice.
What struck me most was the sheer brilliance in that room. The ideas were diverse, innovative, and deeply rooted in the challenges and opportunities facing their communities. You could see the potential, the raw talent waiting to be unleashed.
It wasn’t just about teaching them how to pitch. It was about empowering them to believe in their ideas, to find their voice, and to share their vision with confidence. It was about showing them that their stories mattered, that their projects could make a real difference.
Leaving Esprit School that day, I felt a sense of profound optimism. I’d seen firsthand the power of education, the transformative potential of entrepreneurship, and the incredible talent that exists across Africa.
Looking back, I realize that I learned just as much from them as they did from me. Their passion, their resilience, their unwavering belief in the power of innovation – it was truly inspiring.
That masterclass wasn’t just a moment in time. It was a reminder of why I do what I do. It was a reminder that the most powerful pitches are the ones that come from the heart, that connect with people on a human level, and that inspire action.
And I know, without a doubt, that those brilliant students from Esprit School are out there, pitching their dreams, changing the world, one story at a time. And I’m incredibly grateful to have played a small part in their journey.
