Building on a successful GCRF project with the University of Rwanda (Pete Thomas and Frances Stevenson) investigating how design capabilities could be developed in Rwanda to transform lives and promote economic development, we are currently exploring a major research grant that focusses on how the integration of Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship and Innovation can support beneficiary partners to build communities of practice with local start-up ecosystems. Sharifa Latter (UoD), Fraser Bruce (UoD), Frances Stevenson (UoD), Pete Thomas (Liverpool John Moores University) and Jovanis Uwirinze (University of Rwanda); (Discussions are continuing).