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Richard Seshie
President, Association 3535
Ivory Coast

Richard Seshie combines 12 years of experience in the fields of entrepreneurship, social impact entrepreneurship and business development services. He is the founder of Association 3535, a Startup Studio that creates new initiatives to boost startup and entrepreneurship ecosystems in Africa

Under the Association 3535, he organizes “Les Prix Jeunesse 35<35” that annually recognizes 35 French-speaking Innovators under 35 who are making outstanding achievements benefiting their communities. His career represents a distinctive 360 degree involvement on major occupations related to entrepreneurship and business. He first served in India as a Research Analyst, rating the ESG performance of companies listed on stock markets on behalf of Solaron/Innovest (the former world leader in extra-financial ratings); in Morocco as Community Affairs Coordinator for Microsoft overseeing the implementation of corporate social responsibility programs in North Africa; in Ghana as an Entrepreneur providing technology + rural mobility solutions to farmers; and in Cote d’Ivoire as the President of an organization supporting over 500 promising young entrepreneurs from Africa. Richard contributes regularly his thoughts and opinions on entrepreneurship as reflected in his status as a Top global commentator on social entrepreneurship categories at the now defunct Business Week Business Exchange Social Platform; as a Guest Contributor and Speaker on International Development at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and a Speaker at the Conference de Montréal Canada 2017. Through his work, Richard is a 2017 Young Leader of the Africa-France Foundation for Shared Prosperity (a Government of France initiative), a 2016 World Economic Forum Global Shaper, a 2015 Top 150 Young Innovators of the ITU (upon UN oldest agency' 150th Birthday) and the 2012 Orange African Social Entrepreneur of the Year and has been honored with over 30 prizes and fellowships worldwide.