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Unlocking Africa's innovation future: Highlights from the Big Picture Masterclass
Inhlanyelo Hub, in partnership with ThinkDisruption, recently hosted the #BigPictureMasterclass to unveil how the Big Picture Innovation Model is reshaping our approach to leadership, learning and launching initiatives – from boardrooms to townships. This online event attracted more than 1 800 participants, all eager to explore innovative strategies.
From left: Prof Hans Lercher, the visionary behind the Big Picture Innovation Model; Prof Raphael Mpofu, CEO of Inhlanyelo Hub NPC; and Ansgar Pabst, Dean of Disruption and founder of ThinkDisruption
The Programme Director for the day, Amo Marengwa, Learning and Development Coordinator at Inhlanyelo Hub NPC, set the tone for the masterclass with insight, clarity and purpose, guiding attendees through a transformative experience. Prof Raphael Mpofu, CEO of Inhlanyelo Hub NPC, delivered a compelling opening message: "We must rethink how we generate new ideas." This call to action resonated deeply, emphasising the need for transformative thinking. Inhlanyelo Hub is dedicated to building an African innovation ecosystem rooted in inclusive innovation, bold experimentation and radical collaboration.
Ansgar Pabst, Dean of Disruption and founder of ThinkDisruption – Africa’s number one speed-to-value innovation home – opened the session with a bold reframing of innovation: "Too risky to touch, too valuable to ignore." He introduced speed-to-value as a practical, fast-track approach tailored for emerging markets to turn ideas into impact, quickly, profitably and faster than your competitor. Ansgar also had the honour of introducing the keynote speaker, Prof Hans Lercher, the visionary behind the Big Picture Innovation Model.
Lercher challenged conventions and inspired action in his keynote address. "Innovation affects every single person in the company," he asserted. "From leadership to operations, innovation is not mere theatre; it’s a strategic necessity that demands clear direction. It is a permanent business task, not a once-off project." This served as a powerful reminder that innovation is a way of working, not merely a tick-box exercise.
In closing, Mpofu remarked that the session was not an endpoint, but a catalyst for action in inclusive innovation: "At Inhlanyelo Hub," he said, "we are more than an incubator; we are shaping an innovation ecosystem grounded in African realities, entrepreneurial spirit, and bold experimentation." He extended an open invitation to partner with Inhlanyelo Hub, invest in bold ideas, and co-create solutions to shape the future together.
Alongside ThinkDisruption, Inhlanyelo Hub continues to pave the way for groundbreaking innovation that not only reshapes industries but also builds sustainable, scalable solutions for the future.
The call for radical collaboration and inclusive innovation is louder than ever, and Inhlanyelo Hub is ready to lead the charge.
For more information on Inhlanyelo Hub and its programmes, visit https://inhlanyelohub.com/en/
* By Inhlanyelo Hub, with input from Poe
Publish date: 2025/04/24
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