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Blog

Embracing an ‘Ubuntu’ Mindset for a Collaborative Ecosystem

4/5/2021

5 Comments

 
PictureArti Santhanam '21, PhD
By: Arti Santhanam '21, PhD, Executive Director of the Maryland Innovation Initiative at the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)
 
When I was asked to write about TEDCO’s core value of collaboration, the word that immediately came to mind was “ubuntu.” Ubuntu is a Zulu word that Archbishop Desmond Tutu defined as “My humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in what is yours.” In the simplest terms, ubuntu means, “I am because we are.”
 
Scholars of African studies and philosophy state that ubuntu is actually an intentionally vague term, similar to the Sanskrit word “namaste” (which loosely translates to “the divine light within me bows to the divine light within you”). Like namaste, ubuntu is much more than just a word—it’s a philosophy, a world view, and a framework for how we relate to and work with others.
 
While the concept of ubuntu has spiritual connotations, it has practical applications as well. As a socio-economic ideology, ubuntu encourages equity and equality as a means of generating shared wealth, promotes collective responsibility for the greater good, and fosters appreciation for each individual’s unique talents.  
 
At TEDCO, ubuntu manifests itself primarily in our core value of collaboration: “We focus on building trust and credibility across the organization and with our customers. We are transparent in the exchange of ideas and our encouragement of one another. We value teamwork in our pursuit of supporting innovation and entrepreneurial excellence.” Driven by this value, we embody ubuntu both internally and in our service to Maryland’s diverse entrepreneurial community. 
 
Collaboration serves as the foundation upon which TEDCO has helped build the state’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem since our founding in 1998. Over the last 22 years, our team has tapped into the power of partnership to identify opportunities to strengthen the state’s economy, provide valuable resources to entrepreneurs, and cultivate an environment that is open to innovation, creativity, and diversity. Without this group of like-minded, passionate people working together toward shared goals, TEDCO simply wouldn’t exist—and the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem would be nothing more than a great idea.
 
TEDCO has worked hard to knit together an entrepreneurial ecosystem that connects like-minded entrepreneurs, subject matter experts, academics, legislators, and business leaders from all corners of the state. Together, we have woven in diversity of thought, variety of skills, and myriad needs of our citizens to build a vibrant tech-based entrepreneurial community that’s consistently ranked in the top five in the United States.
 
A tangible example of successful collaboration in the spirit of ubuntu is the Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII), which brings together universities—public and private, large and small—with the goal of leveling the playing field for technology commercialization. While equality doesn’t always lead to equity (we certainly have more work to be done in this area), we have embraced the ubuntu principles of community and collaboration to significantly impact the entrepreneurial cultures at Maryland’s universities. Collectively through this program, we have de-risked over 250 technologies, created 100 startups and attracted over $530 billion in investments.
 
During challenging times such as the ones we are living in now, it’s more important than ever to embrace ubuntu in spirit and in practice. Through collaboration, we can overcome challenges, find solutions, and empower Maryland’s entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into vital businesses that will expand wealth and improve quality of life for our state’s residents and beyond.  

This is a contributed post from our silver sponsor, TEDCO. 

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5 Comments
Muhammad Najee
4/11/2021 12:30:31 pm

There is a robust community of change makers on the grass roots level in Baltimore....attempting to address some of our most intractable challenges ... TEDCO and other orgs could be better tapped into that indigenous genius....and could do more to support the evolution of this pool of folks looking to impact the city.
If TEDCO captured data from applicants and pre application communications related to the work being done in the major challenge categories: education, health, transportation, ACE’s, housing etc.... and created a contact & project details database that new up and coming problem solvers could tap into to get leads on who’s doing what in the city....as a starting point for designing new products and services...it would be a great resource and create a real UBUNTU vibe. I’m suggesting you preemptively support your future applicants. TEDCO doesn’t need a million applications..... it needs quality applications from startups and entrepreneurs that have been thoroughly immersed in the work occurring in the spectrum of potential solutions. The entrepreneurs and change makers need updated information and need to understand the landscape and full picture of the work being done in the city in these areas so they can contribute accordingly and efficiently. Otherwise we continue to have the disjointed wheel spinning, different groups re-designing the wheel, team members and founders burning out , wasted time, and resources.....and a majority of privileged white founders receiving funding.
While limiting the effect the solutions that are being developed, for the city and everyone involved. UBUNTU isn’t slathered on like icing. It’s baked into the cake. If more value was assigned to indigenous community members’ ideas for changing their reality in their own communities ...... everyone could benefit from an increased quality of life. Leadership has to create that shift and give up the historical advantages of gatekeeping ........keeping the change makers disjointed and at odds with each other over the resources and networks that exist. Peace.

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Jane link
12/12/2021 08:03:26 pm

I found this article interesting. I absolutely love the Archbishop Desmond Tutu as I think he is a great humanitarian. When you mentioned ubuntu and how it is a core value of collaboration which brings together universities (public and private) I was just elated while reading the article. Collaboration is a core concept that I live my life and how I run my business so I really enjoy reading articles on how other people/organization bring that into the core philosophy.

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We value teamwork in our pursuit of supporting innovation and entrepreneurial excellence. I’m so thankful for your helpful post!

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