Ethiopia is making steady progress in developing a thriving start-up ecosystem, but there is still room for improvement in fostering an innovative society. Rectifying these issues is critical to building a strong startup ecosystem, which acts as a key driver of growth. They should actively explore opportunities beyond the boundaries of their local ecosystem, especially at the global level. By overcoming the limitations of the current status quo, entrepreneurs can create their own realities and take Ethiopia's startup ecosystem to new heights. (Bereket Abeneh is a business consultant who advises companies and startup founders on building relationships and expanding into new markets.