In this episode of Shapers, host Benjamin Shaw is joined by Bernard Laurendeau – a trailblazing entrepreneur and founder of Laurendeau & Associates. With roots in Ethiopia and France, and over 15 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, Bernard shares his unique journey from Silicon Valley to Addis Ababa and Tokyo.
They discuss the launch of Enkopa Lab Japan, a new advisory firm empowering Japanese businesses to expand into African markets, and the broader implications of tech, data and partnerships in shaping Africa’s economic future.
This conversation offers critical insights into market development, intercultural strategy and what it takes to execute impactful change across continents.
Shownotes:
Connect: LinkedIn
Education:
1. Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business – MBA in Strategy and Operations
2. Georgia Institute of Technology – Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
3. ENSTA Paris – Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering
4. Lycée Saint-Louis, Paris – Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Écoles (Maths & Physics)
Professional Career:
1. Laurendeau & Associates – Managing Partner: Trusted advisor helping bridge the gap between strategy and execution for leaders in emerging markets. (San Francisco | Addis Ababa | Tokyo)
2. Enkopa Lab – Founder & Owner: Leads a Tokyo-based boutique firm helping Japanese organisations enter African markets with AI-powered data and advisory services.
3. Enkopa Lab / Ethiopia’s Digital Financial Service Providers Association – Board Member: Supports Ethiopia’s digital financial ecosystem through strategic governance.
4. Arifpay Financial Technologies S.C. – Angel Investor & Former CEO/Co-Founder: Invested in and led Ethiopia’s first licensed POS operator offering digital payment solutions.
5. CAFE – Club d’Affaires Franco-Ethiopien – Vice-President: Represented and supported French business interests in Ethiopia.
6. Jobs Creation Commission, Office of the Prime Minister (Ethiopia) – Senior Advisor to the Commissioner: Provided strategic counsel to a national agency focused on employment and entrepreneurship.
7. Zenysis Technologies – Regional Director (Africa/Europe): Directed tech-for-development projects in public health and governance across regions.
8. Bank of the West (BNP Paribas) – Vice President, Location Strategies: Led workforce strategy and rightshoring projects for the banking group’s U.S. division.
9. Slalom Consulting – Delivery Leadership: Managed large-scale transformation projects in revenue management and post-merger integration.
10. Trianz Consulting – Manager: Focused on go-to-market strategies and operations for tech and public sector clients.
11. Kalypso Consulting – Senior Consultant: Advised on new product development and lifecycle management for innovation-driven industries.
12. Georgia Institute of Technology – Research Assistant (Rotorcraft Design): Worked in aerospace engineering research during his academic years.
13. Bose Corporation – MBA Summer Intern (Product Development): Contributed to portfolio management and product innovation strategies.
14. Dassault Systèmes – Product Management Technical Analyst: Worked on CAD and mechanical design systems for structural engineering applications.
Notes:
1. Strategic partners: Culture Factor and Kasi Insight
2. Capitalism
3. Risk Capital
5. Lionel Messi for his talent
6. Cristiano Ronaldo for his hard work
7. Gig Economy
10. Telemedicine
11. Cultural Advisor
12. Culture Strike
13. Silicon Valley
14. Ubuntu
