Bas Hochstenbach

 Co-Founder & Director at Asilia Africa

My experience and deep interests:

• Community & Ecosystem Building

• Entrepreneurship

I am based in: Cape Town

I was referred to THNK by Natasha Bonnevalle.

I am a father of 3, and a passionate entrepreneur and innovator, focusing on ‘for good’ businesses.

In 2004, I co-founded Asilia Africa, a pioneering East Africa based tourism company that conserves and improves crucial nature and wildlife areas in Africa through introducing sustainable economic models in those areas. Asilia and I believe in – and implement - an entrepreneurial, innovative and collaborative approach to achieving positive change on the African continent. Over the years, the company grew into an organization that employs 750 staff and boasts 20 locations throughout protected areas in East Africa. In 2014, 10 years after establishing the company, Asilia bagged the global industry-wide “Oscar” for Best Business, receiving praise for the company’s innovative approach and its impact on fragile natural areas and the communities that exist in them.

Recently, I have moved into a part-time director role with the Asilia. In my available time, I am helping a few other entrepreneurs setting up their businesses, and I am looking to set up a new ‘for good’ business in South Africa.

Born in the Netherlands, I have lived most of the last 15 years abroad – in large European / American cities for McKinsey & Co and in Tanzania and South Africa for Asilia Africa.

In my spare time that is not dedicated to my family, I travel or climb the mountains around my current home town of Cape Town, South Africa.