Stanford Seed Transformation Program - West Africa

Stanford Seed Transformation Program (STP) Benefits - West Africa

Stanford Faculty-Led Curriculum

The STP curriculum is customized to address the needs of founders/leaders in developing economies who lead growing enterprises.

STP topics include leadership training, entrepreneurial organizations, strategy, operations, accounting, marketing, finance/investing, value chain innovations, governance, business ethics, and product and service innovations.

Learning by Doing

Highly interactive sessions provide tools and methodologies to help founders/leaders grow and transform their businesses.

For example, you will learn about Design Thinking—an innovative problem-solving approach refined by Stanford faculty and its alumni—that is invaluable for identifying new products and services for your customers. 

Coaching by Experienced Volunteers

Seed volunteers provide coaching during the 6-month Transformation Program to help you implement your learnings from the sessions.

Seed volunteers have demonstrated substantial success in managing and/or coaching companies with aggressive goals while holding leadership positions in Silicon Valley and beyond. Their main goal in working with you is the creation of a sound and realistic transformation plan.

In addition, volunteers eager to support founders/leaders in developing economies but unable to spend extended time in your region are also available to work on short-term projects, lasting from a few days to several months.

Local and Regional Networks

Bringing together founders/leaders from different countries and industries enriches your learning experiences and helps in building relationships across borders and industries. 

Through frequent breakout sessions you will get to know other participants in your cohort. Together, you will begin to apply your learnings and practice applied skills such as planning, problem solving, working in teams, public speaking, and leadership. 

Former STP participants continue to stay engaged with Stanford Seed and become part of the peer network, often presenting the experience of their own journeys to incoming cohorts.

Collaboration with Stanford Students

• founders/leaders enrolled in STP may apply to host a Stanford student intern during the summer academic break (June/July through August/Sept). Interns typically focus on projects related to important aspects of your transformation and should be achievable within 8 or more weeks. 

• Stanford Seed Design Thinking Workshops are offered in partnership with the Stanford Africa Entrepreneurship Network and typically take place in October, February, and April. Students present their findings via video conference to founders/leaders.

• The Stanford Seed Post Graduate Work Experience places students with companies enrolled in Seed's Transformation Program. Duration varies from 1 to 3 months.

Participant Commitment 

• Admitted founders/leaders must commit to the six month program duration.

• Mandatory attendance is required for all four Transformation Program sessions, held at Seed's center in Accra, Ghana. 

Cost to Participants

• STP participants are responsible for transportation to and from Seed's center in Accra, Ghana, as well as for lodging during the sessions. 

• Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and most dinners will be provided during the program.

Program Fee

• The Program Fee is waived for the Seed Transformation Program starting in March 2016.

Program Calendar

Seed Transformation Program sessions last one week and will be held in March, May, July, and August 2016.

Detailed program information, including faculty profiles, and daily schedules, will be forwarded to you after your admission.