SEA storyboard

Key milestones and achievements since our establishment in 2019

2019

Establishment

SEA was founded by visionary entrepreneurs and is officially registered as a civil society organisation

  • Registered under Proclamation No. 1113/2019
  • Founded by 65 visionary and committed entrepreneurs
  • Started operations with one staff member
2020

Adaptation and Resilience

Adapted programs to COVID-19 challenges while expanding outreach and partnerships

  • Launched digital training platforms
  • Trained and supported 548 entrepreneurs, of whom 20% were women
  • Established key government partnerships
  • Initiated a public entrepreneurial leadership
  • Devised a social enterprises growth strategy to identify feasible options
  • Started the Shark Tank program
2021

Program Growth

  • Scaled initiatives and introduced new, impact-oriented programs
  • Trained and supported 3000 entrepreneurs, of whom 35% were women
  • Launched Kidpreneurship flagship program
  • Reviewed and revised our strategic entrepreneurship development approach
  • Conducted policy advocacy based on the social enterprise growth study
  • Secured major international partnerships
  • Strengthened product and market development support
2022

Ecosystem Leadership

  • Recognised as a leading voice in Ethiopia's entrepreneurship ecosystem
  • Trained and supported 34,932 entrepreneurs, of whom 36% were women
  • Conducted comprehensive resource mapping in the Oromia region
  • Advocated for policy reforms
  • Launched regenerative entrepreneurship as a strategic approach
2023

Impact at scale


  • Facilitated ETB 460M+ in financing
  • Trained and supported 50,258 entrepreneurs, of whom 35% were women
  • Started Artpreneurship training
2024

Integration of idea financing, leveraging diaspora capital


  • Expanding partnership and collaboration with financial institutions on idea financing
  • Trained and supported 50,258 entrepreneurs, of whom 35% were women
  • Celebrating fifth-year anniversaries
  • Started and expanded the Shark Tank program
  • Strengthen investment pitch sessions
2025

Program refinement and scaling deep


  • Expanding partnership and collaboration with development partners and financial institutions
  • Revisiting and consolidating existing programs for greater synergy
  • Revision of SEA programmatic strategies for the next phase of growth