About
Thinkroom Consulting was founded by Catherine Young in 2014. Catherine is also the managing partner at Grindstone Accelerator and Grindstone Ventures.
Catherine’s vision, when founding Thinkroom, was to use her vast knowledge and passion to provide a quality consulting service for both large corporations and developing digital tech entrepreneurs. To make a BIG impact on and in Africa by unlocking the true power of African innovation.
Catherine’s vision, when founding Thinkroom, was to use her vast knowledge and passion to provide a quality consulting service for both large corporations and developing digital tech entrepreneurs. To make a BIG impact on and in Africa by unlocking the true power of African innovation.
For almost a decade, Thinkroom has been helping businesses develop their own customised SME programmes, and assisting them with the implementation of those systems through our carefully curated programmatic approach. Once developed, we leverage our networks to introduce SMEs to corporate programmes. We also teach the SMEs to use management best practices, and the latest technologies to effectively reach existing and new markets. We strive to showcase what sustainable small business development should look like.
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OUR PRESENCE
According to ITC “Small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of the African economy, representing more than 90% of businesses and employing about 60% of workers, many of whom are women and youth. Helping small and medium-sized (SMEs) connect to international markets, ensures that the gains from trade are broadly distributed across the workforce.”
At Thinkroom we collaborate with big business and development organisations alike, to enable impact to entrepreneurs and SMEs across the African continent. We have navigated Africa’s diverse landscape and have engineered reliable relationships with entrepreneurial innovators across Africa.
At Thinkroom we collaborate with big business and development organisations alike, to enable impact to entrepreneurs and SMEs across the African continent. We have navigated Africa’s diverse landscape and have engineered reliable relationships with entrepreneurial innovators across Africa.
Our goal is to connect big business with trailblazing African SMEs, train and enhance those entrepreneurs to unlock their full potential, and then use our extensive networks and relationships to skyrocket the SMEs into the market.
HOW WE WORK
At Thinkroom, our inherent intuition to entrepreneurship programme implementation has resulted in the development of extensive processes and practices, that we aim to use to unlock the incredible potential of Africa’s future.
We help our clients (large corporations and development organisations) formulate and refine their SME development strategy, from conception to the management of the interventions, towards success.
We work extensively with African entrepreneurs and have devised numerous methodologies and practices to help them grow their businesses through robust assessment, bespoke roadmaps, Go-to-Market approaches, and assistance with access to funders. We are serious about the development of entrepreneurs and have extensive experience across Africa, the Middle East and the UK.
Our work is based on solid research and methodical project management. We have enabled a wide variety of corporations to grow their SME base successfully.
Another integral component to our success is our gravitational pull towards innovation. Our belief in continual learning and growth, means we are constantly sharing and publishing our latest research, allowing us to optimise in progressive spaces. Our design thinking, positions us at the apex as trusted leaders and advisors, who guide the business visionaries we serve.
We help our clients (large corporations and development organisations) formulate and refine their SME development strategy, from conception to the management of the interventions, towards success.
We work extensively with African entrepreneurs and have devised numerous methodologies and practices to help them grow their businesses through robust assessment, bespoke roadmaps, Go-to-Market approaches, and assistance with access to funders. We are serious about the development of entrepreneurs and have extensive experience across Africa, the Middle East and the UK.
Our work is based on solid research and methodical project management. We have enabled a wide variety of corporations to grow their SME base successfully.
Another integral component to our success is our gravitational pull towards innovation. Our belief in continual learning and growth, means we are constantly sharing and publishing our latest research, allowing us to optimise in progressive spaces. Our design thinking, positions us at the apex as trusted leaders and advisors, who guide the business visionaries we serve.
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a critical role in the creation of jobs in many countries across the world.
For an investment to contribute to Africa’s long-term development and growth, the continent’s investment environment must be clearly defined, with a focus on, and attention given to the position of SMEs.
Our extensive network and hands-on approach provide us with the unique opportunity to truly make an impact both for individuals and for Africa as a whole.
Our research-centric and systematic approach empowers us to aid a diverse assortment of businesses, helping them to grow their SME base productively and sustainably in order to have a positive impact on the broader African economy.
On a more personal note, we are also a small business, and we understand the journey many small businesses are on. During our time working with and growing SMEs, we have come to understand the importance of self-worth and empowerment.
When a small business is empowered and starts to grow, its team members collectively adopt a culture of motivation and purpose. We have seen how hard work benefits them beyond monetary compensation. How it promotes an altered, sustainable mindset and fuels self-actualisation.
Choice is empowering. It sparks a chain reaction of change that makes an impactful, sustainable difference. These changes unite to shape the African landscape.
For an investment to contribute to Africa’s long-term development and growth, the continent’s investment environment must be clearly defined, with a focus on, and attention given to the position of SMEs.
Our extensive network and hands-on approach provide us with the unique opportunity to truly make an impact both for individuals and for Africa as a whole.
Our research-centric and systematic approach empowers us to aid a diverse assortment of businesses, helping them to grow their SME base productively and sustainably in order to have a positive impact on the broader African economy.
On a more personal note, we are also a small business, and we understand the journey many small businesses are on. During our time working with and growing SMEs, we have come to understand the importance of self-worth and empowerment.
When a small business is empowered and starts to grow, its team members collectively adopt a culture of motivation and purpose. We have seen how hard work benefits them beyond monetary compensation. How it promotes an altered, sustainable mindset and fuels self-actualisation.
Choice is empowering. It sparks a chain reaction of change that makes an impactful, sustainable difference. These changes unite to shape the African landscape.
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meet our amazing team
The Faces Behind our Success
CATHERINE YOUNG
FOUNDER
Meet Catherine, a powerhouse of African entrepreneurship with a wealth of experience in growing and nurturing startups across the continent. Her deep passion for the SME landscape is matched only by her commitment to people and ecosystems. Catherine’s journey through entrepreneurial development and SME ecosystem building has made her a respected voice in African entrepreneurship. From developing funding strategies to hands-on guidance, Catherine is a key player in supporting and inspiring Africa’s next generation of trailblazing founders.
Lucie Fink
CEO
As the CEO of Thinkroom, Lucie is our steadfast leader, orchestrating operations with unyielding focus and care. Lucie goes beyond mere coordination; she’s the support system, the problem-solver, and the constant motivator behind our team. Known as both a confidant and an advisor, she ensures that Thinkroom runs like a well-oiled machine, championing the team’s efforts and pushing boundaries with a relentless drive. Lucie’s vision and dedication keep the Thinkroom engine moving forward, always at full speed!
Cameron Burt
Chief Coach
Cameron is Thinkroom’s coaching powerhouse, driven by the belief that SMEs are the economy’s true engines. With a suite of world-class tools, he supports founders in building real, measurable value, guiding them towards impactful growth. Cameron’s passion for building businesses is more than a job, it’s his calling. He’s all about helping founders turn their hard work into lasting success.
SAM STODEL
Project Manager
Project Manager for Thinkroom, Sam runs our projects with meticulous time-management and organisation skills. With many balls in the air, Sam runs events, programmes, teams, and projects across the business so flawlessly it seems effortless. As ‘custodian of fun’, Sam places importance on team culture and a positive work environment. Sam thrives on teamwork, is always willing to invest boundless effort, and draws inspiration and energy from the entrepreneurs she works with.
Jakolien Strydom
HEAD OF DESIGN
Our head of design, Jakolien, is the creative soul of Thinkroom. With her quirky style and endless artistry, she brings the Thinkroom brand to life, transforming abstract ideas into striking visuals. Whether it’s a brand concept or a new logo design, Jakolien’s creativity shines through every detail, adding her unique touch to all things visual. With Jakolien on board, Thinkroom’s designs don’t just look good, they inspire.
Melissa Andrews
Creative Writer
Melissa is the creative writer and storyteller at Thinkroom. She is always curious, naturally creative, and passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation. Melissa can read, absorb, and write about anything, combining her skill in research, patterning, and articulation with AI tools to ideate and create compelling content. In her spare time, she’s constantly learning, strategising, and developing new ideas to improve processes and flows that provide added value for our entrepreneurs.
Elana Geyer
Project Administrator
Meet Elana, our ever willing and exceedingly capable project administrator! When she’s not taming spreadsheets, juggling timelines, or managing deadlines, you will probably find her hunting for that elusive “incomplete task”. Elana is a superhero behind the scenes as she works across all areas of the business with next-level attention to detail.
Ashley Harper
MARKETING ADMINISTRATOR
Meet Ashley, our dynamic and ever-organized marketing administrator! Whether she’s helping orchestrate events or supporting our entrepreneurs on their marketing journey, Ashley is all about creating impact. Outdoorsy and upbeat, she’s always ready to jump in, lend a hand, and keep us on track with her enthusiasm and positive attitude. We’re lucky to have her attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile in everything she does!
