LAUDACE, founded by Axelle Ahanhanzo, is a Netherlands-based ethnic minority business specialising in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Their expertise lies in neurodiversity, anti-racism, and gender equity. What sets LAUDACE apart is their unique approach of using intersectionality as a framework in the DEI space. LAUDACE joined the MSDUK Accelerator as one of the 10 businesses from Europe in partnership with European Supplier Diversity Programme (ESDP).

I discovered the MSDUK Accelerator through MSDUK’s sister organization, ESDP, which began sharing information about the programme on their LinkedIn page. After a call with the team, I was convinced of its value, submitted my application, and secured my place in the programme. Participating in the MSDUK Accelerator was a transformative experience. The abundance of resources, knowledge, and the valuable time and effort invested by the facilitators were great. Their passion for the subject matter was clear, and I knew I wanted to continue working with them even after the programme concluded. Having just completed another entrepreneurship programme prior to this one, the difference was noticeable. The MSDUK Accelerator provided actionable, hands-on knowledge that was immensely valuable.

Axelle’s Learning Experience

Module 2: Scaling Services was incredibly impactful for me. As someone who is neurodivergent, structure and organisation can be challenging however, I know it is what my business needs. The facilitator was straightforward and engaging, making a problem I usually shy away from approachable, realistic, and actionable. After this module, I had a one-to-one session with the facilitator, which led to ongoing collaboration. We are currently working on creating automations and systems to make running my business more efficient. The success of LAUDACE in such a short amount of time was profound however, I was not fully prepared for its growth therefore, working with this facilitator is helping me immensely. The facilitator for Module 4: Sales and Communication managed to summarise my business in five minutes, a task that took me months! This was a significant revelation for me. The Entrepreneurial Finance Workshop was incredibly useful, especially as someone who doesn’t enjoy dealing with numbers. Despite my initial intimidation, the guest speaker made the content accessible and easy to understand.

Key Advice and Structured Learning

At the Welcome Event, an alumnus advised not to fall behind on module tasks. I made sure to make a mental note of this and ensured I stayed on top of everything, which made the process much smoother. The masterclasses were structured in a way that allowed me to work on tasks ahead of deadlines, making the learning process more manageable. The one-to-one sessions with facilitators were extremely useful in completing the tasks.

I enjoyed putting together my pitch deck, knowing it had a direct use for future pitches and the Demo Day. The Module 4 task, which involved summarizing our business in one minute, stood out for me. Simplifying a complex business model into a few words was a challenging yet exciting task that offered a new perspective. This exercise taught me that what I thought was simple wasn’t simple enough, a lesson I carry with me in similar tasks.

I believe that the world of entrepreneurship is ever-changing and reactive. However, a successful business is one that is operationalized with systems in place. I am taking this on board as LAUDACE continues to grow to ensure sustainability and maintain my mental health as a founder.

Demo Day: A Proud Moment

Being one of the ten businesses pitching on Demo Day was a ‘pinch-me’ moment. It was amazing to have large corporations approach me after my pitch, expressing the value they saw in my work. It was a proud moment for LAUDACE, and I was thrilled to see everyone else pitching their businesses too. The genuine interest in supporting minority-owned businesses and the passion for DEI in the room were incredibly rewarding.

Being an ESDP Certified Business

Receiving the invitation to become one of the first ten businesses in Europe to be ESDP certified filled me with pride and accomplishment. This recognition came during a difficult period and reminded me of how far I’ve come. Being certified as a diverse supplier in Europe is a key through the door. It provides access and privilege to get towards my end goal of securing clients and passing on my expertise of DEI. Prioritising PR and visibility was a major factor in LAUDACE’s growth over the past year, and being an ESDP member amplifies our voice even further.

Axelle’s Biggest Takeaway

Being part of this programme reminded me that what I’m doing is making a difference and is going to continue making a difference. It also reminded me to hold onto all the wins and achievements of LAUDACE especially during those times when I’m riding the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. This experience also reinforced the sentiment that, while being a founder can feel lonely at times, there are always people willing to support us if we ask and knock on the right doors.