Rim Tlili – Partnerships and Fundraising Officer at Open Startup.

I am Rim Tlili, holder of a Bachelor degree in Business Administration. Currently a Partnerships and Fundraising Officer at Open Startup, a leading innovation ecosystem builder operating on a Pan African level to support startups and young African talent across Africa.

My journey started when I graduated high school in 2018 as top student in Tunis governorate and 10th student on a national level in the field of economics and management. I was determined to forge my way into the business world and have a successful career. When I first joined TBS, I was excited about the amount of opportunities that presented themselves and immediately took a dive in. By joining several clubs and associations I got to work with talented human beings in an environment that fosters growth and ambition. TBS Junior Enterprise was the experience that marked me the most, I was passionate about entrepreneurship and this association provided exactly that. During my two year experience I got to challenge myself, aim higher, work harder than ever to deliver the best quality output. It was then when I realised that commitment and passion are the most important factors to success. I also had the opportunity to work with a startup with people from different backgrounds and nationalities which made me appreciate diversity even more.

During my senior year at University, I had the chance to do graduation internship with Flat6Labs Tunisia, a leading venture capital and startup accelerator. And it was thanks to TAEF that I had the chance to work with them as they provided me with the opportunity. The great team spirit and friendliness of the Flat6Labs team made my learning journey all the more enjoyable. Thanks to them I got to discover the startup ecosystem, interact with brilliant and inspiring people and learn how a venture capital fund is managed. That is why I am grateful to the TAEF Fellows Program for granting me this opportunity and to Flat6Labs for an incredible internship experience. I highly encourage every passionate and ambitious student to join the program.

After graduation, I worked in Fintech only to find myself going back to the startup ecosystem by pursuing a position with Open Startup, aiming to bridge ecosystems, contribute to the success of startups, and make an impact in the innovation scene.