Hello! I'm Willem Gous, a leader in Entrepreneurship Development in Africa who has navigated some of the most challenging environments over my 25-year journey in entrepreneurship. I'm honoured to be the recipient of the 2023 Startup Mentor of the Year award and the Entrepreneurship Education Programme award for The Human Entrepreneur. Thinkers 360 has recognised me as a Top 50 Global Thought Leader and Influencer on Lean Startup for two consecutive years.
My approach to leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship is deeply human-centered.
I've demonstrated my expertise in entrepreneurship development by disrupting traditional methods. My unique approach, designed and proven in Africa, empowers unemployed individuals in South African townships. I guide them to start businesses without external funding in just 5 weeks, ensuring these ventures are profitable enough to sustain themselves financially. This method significantly reduces the time and cost to create a job compared to traditional programmes, effectively cracking the nut of mass entrepreneurship development. My process can deliver new entrepreneurs at scale, creating hundreds, even thousands, of new businesses monthly. I am proud to offer a revolutionary solution for job creation, poverty reduction, and economic growth.
I call Johannesburg home and take pride in being a single father to my 13-year-old son. I'm an avid reader and enthusiastic about personal development. For a bit of fun, I'm also a qualified firewalking instructor.
My academic background includes a Master’s degree in Information Systems Management from the University of Liverpool, U.K., where my dissertation delved into applying various innovation methodologies within established businesses. As a regular speaker and facilitator at conferences, I also contribute to the advisory board of the University of Liverpool Management School's professional interest network.
Looking for a speaker for your event?
If you're looking for someone to guide, inspire, and collaborate with your team or audience, I bring a blend of expertise, experience, and enthusiasm that’s hard to match. Let's connect and create something impactful together!
Available For: Consulting, Speaking
Travels From: Johannesburg, South Africa
Speaking Topics: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Leadership
| Willem Gous - The Human Entrepreneur | Points |
|---|---|
| Academic | 0 |
| Author | 120 |
| Influencer | 3 |
| Speaker | 0 |
| Entrepreneur | 0 |
| Total | 123 |
Points based upon Thinkers360 patent-pending algorithm.
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