New york – Dell Inc has appointed Ugandan businessman and Mara Group founder Ashish J. Thakkar to its Global Entrepreneur-in-Residence Advisory Board.Earlier this week, the computer giant announced plans for the global expansion of its Center for Entrepreneurs, a community that lends support to startup tech entrepreneurs through a range of funding and mentorship-driven initiatives. The Dell Center for Entrepreneurs has had a successful run in the United States where it was founded last year. It now plans to replicate its model in other parts of the world, beginning with the United Kingdom. The members of the Global Advisory Board, which include other successful entrepreneurs like Ido Leffler, co-founder of American natural beauty brand Yes To Inc., and Catherine Graham, president and co-owner of RIGHTSLEEVE, will be lending their insight and on-the-ground experience to Dell while acting as mentors to entrepreneurs in the community.The board will convene in-person for the first time in December, during Dell World 2013.“Having started my first company at the age of 15 selling computers in Africa, I have first-hand experience building a business from scratch and understand the challenges that face young entrepreneurs in getting ahead,” Thakkar said in an email statement.Last month, Ashish was named the World’s Best Young Entrepreneur by the World Entrepreneurship Forum in Singapore. He was appointed a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2012, and sits on its Global Agenda Council on Africa.
