“We are raising a class of transformational entrepreneurs who need to demonstrate deliberate professionalism and thought leadership,” she said. “They need to know how to build a brand – are you working in your business or on your business? We need business entrepreneurs who have the right mindset, personality and resolve.”

She also makes sure to emphasize how challenging entrepreneurship can be —

“When you’re an entrepreneur, you’re stretched on all sides. There are no creature comforts, you’re depending on a smaller team and therefore have greater responsibilities. It can really frustrate your ambitions.”

“It’s about mindset. Yes, you need to coach incubates from many angles, but the key is optimizing their mindset. At Alldens Lane and PWC, I assessed my clients very well and my women clients were so determined and wanted structure and support, rather than having a defeatist attitude that they could do nothing without money. Today, many of them run internationally-recognized businesses.”

The importance Sanusi attaches to grit extends from young companies all the way up to her own institution, the GCIC. GCIC is also a part of a global network of Climate Innovation Centers in six other countries around the world: the Caribbean, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa and Vietnam. All centres are locally-owned institutions that provide clean technology ventures with the knowledge, capital, and access to markets required to launch and scale their businesses.

She underlines the importance of her organization’s mission. “An incubator serves a national need. Climate change is undeniable – it affects food security and energy supply. We need people who are up to the task and if you aren’t serving tomorrow’s business leaders, you’re doing the country a disservice.”