Entrepreneurs Talk Africa

VC4A Venture Showcase Mini-Series - Episode 4: The Investor Perspective Want insider tips on raising investment in Africa? Tune into this episode of Entrepreneurs Talk Africa as we speak with Kenza Lahlou, founder and managing partner at Outlierz Ventures. Kenza shares her unique perspective as an investor in African startups. She provides valuable insights into what investors are looking for and how programs like the VC4A Venture Showcase can help entrepreneurs get investor-ready.## Key Takeaways- Understand which acceleration programs add value and carefully choose the right one for your startup (00:03:06) - Exposure and connections to investors are a huge benefit of programs like the VC4A Venture Showcase (00:04:51)- The VC4A program is structured to provide value to both entrepreneurs and investors (00:06:01) - Investor interest breeds investor interest - having the backing of other investors adds confidence (00:11:48)- Focus on execution, metrics and unit economics to attract investors even in tough times (00:20:37) - Valuation corrections happening - raise at sensible valuations that bring the right investors (00:21:08)## Referenced in the Episode- [VC4A Venture Showcase](https://vc4a.com/venture-showcase/) - learn more about this flagship program for African startups - [Y Combinator](https://www.ycombinator.com/) - top US accelerator - [500 Startups](https://500.co/) - global seed fund and accelerator

Emata: Building Fintech Solutions for African Farmers - Entrepreneurs Talk Africa**Summary**: In this episode of Entrepreneurs Talk Africa, host Jason Delorie interviews Bram van den Bosch and Lillian Nassanga Musoke, founders of Ugandan fintech startup Emata. They discuss Emata's journey building digital financial services for smallholder farmers in Africa, from its early days gathering data to predict creditworthiness all the way to launching partnerships with banks and agricultural companies. Bram and Lillian share insights on the value of startup accelerators, the resilience required as a founder, and their experience in VC4A's annual Venture Showcase program.  **2:30** - Bram and Lillian introduce themselves and their backgrounds before starting Emata. Lillian was passionate about designing solutions for everyday Africans while Bram wanted to move beyond just shuffling money between the wealthy. **5:07** - The origin story of Emata - realizing banks weren't financing farmers and building a data-driven solution.**7:14** - On the value of startup accelerators for constant learning, expanding your network, and discovering unknown challenges on the horizon. **10:18** - Why Emata applied for many accelerators early on, but has gotten more selective over time. There's always a new level to reach.**15:02** - For startups in nascent ecosystems, the exposure and learning accelerators provide is crucial. **18:46** - Expectations for the VC4A Showcase: learning from other founders, meeting investors, and bringing conversations to the next level.**23:05** - The relationships and "emotional support" between cohort founders last long after programs end. **25:01** - Don't do it alone - keep going and keep putting yourself out there until you find the right programs and supporters.**27:26** - Behind the success are often many rejections - persistence pays off.**28:40** - A message to VC4A: thank you for building the African startup ecosystem and keep going!**References**:- Emata website: https://www.emata.ug- VC4A Venture Showcase: https://vc4a.com/ventureshowcase/- Africa Early Stage Investor Summit (AES): https://vc4a.com/aes/Get inspired by the resilience and vision of African startup founders like Bram and Lillian. Tune in to Entrepreneurs Talk Africa to hear more startup journeys, lessons learned, and tips for aspiring founders across the continent.

In this episode, host Jason Delorie interviews Daisy Isiaho, co-founder and CPO of Zuri Health, a healthtech startup in Kenya. Daisy shares her experiences participating in the 2022 VC4A Venture Showcase Women's Founder Edition program.Key topics covered:Daisy's background and mission with Zuri HealthThe importance of accelerator programs for African startupsKey benefits Daisy gained from VC4A and other accelerators: mentorship, peer learning, funding accessUnique aspects of the VC4A Women's Founder EditionTips for entrepreneurs considering applying to accelerator programsTimeline0:00 - Intro0:33 - Daisy introduces herself and Zuri Health3:09 - Daisy shares her journey into healthtech and starting Zuri Health4:50 - Overcoming obstacles as a female founder in Africa5:49 - The value accelerator programs brought Zuri Health8:06 - Specific benefits: knowledge, mentorship, peer learning, partnerships9:38 - The importance of tailored mentorship12:48 - What makes VC4A Venture Showcase unique15:06 - Supporting female founders in Africa16:59 - Tips for getting the most out of accelerator programs19:53 - Key takeaways and encouragement to apply22:40 - Final advice: go for it!ReferencesZuri Health: https://zurihealth.co.ke/VC4A Venture Showcase: https://vc4a.com/ventureshowcase/Anthropic, creators of Claude AI: https://www.anthropic.comThe shownotes provide a quick engaging overview of the podcast episode, highlighting Daisy's journey building Zuri Health and her experience in the VC4A accelerator program. The timeline marks key parts of the discussion to help guide listeners. Additional references give context and links to learn more. Overall, the shownotes serve as a valuable companion to summarize and promote the podcast episode.

In this episode of Entrepreneurs Talk Africa, host Jason Delorie interviews Abu Cassim, Lead for the Acceleration Team at VC4A, about their Venture Showcase program. BriefThe VC4A Venture Showcase provides acceleration support including mentorship, training, and investor connections to growth-stage startups in Africa and Latin America. With deep investor involvement throughout the program, 65% of participating startups raise funding within a year.Top Moments - [1:20] Key differences between incubation and acceleration programs- [5:26] VC4A Venture Showcase aims to increase early-stage funding in emerging markets   - [8:11] Continuous investor engagement makes VC4A unique- [12:25] 65% of startups raise funding within a year of participating in the program- [15:41] Support provided for seed and Series A startups  - [18:46] Focused on high-impact sectors like climate, agriculture, and cities- [22:13] Access to top investors and mentors throughout AfricaLearn MoreGet involved with VC4A programs and meet investors and mentors:- VC4A Venture Showcase website: https://ventureshowcase.vc4a.com- VC4A platform to connect: https://vc4a.com Related resources- Harvard Business Review - "What Startup Accelerators Really Do" https://hbr.org/2016/03/what-startup-accelerators-really-do- INC Magazine - "Do Accelerator Programs Really Make Startups More Successful?" https://www.inc.com/magazine/201505/tom-foster/do-accelerators-work.html

In this episode, host Gerald Ami interviews Buntu Majaja, CEO of the South African Innovation Summit, one of the largest startup events in Africa. They discuss the innovation landscape across the continent, promising industries and solutions from African entrepreneurs addressing local needs.Episode SummaryBuntu shares insights on the industries receiving the most startup investment in Africa - fintech, healthtech, edtech and clean energy. He sees these as building critical infrastructure to enable further entrepreneurial growth.Examples of innovative African startups making an impact: off-grid IoT energy solutions in Malawi, growing oyster mushrooms in harsh conditions in Botswana, cybersecurity company expanding globally out of South Africa.The South African Innovation Summit on Sept 27-29 unites thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, corporates and thought leaders to grow African innovation. Buntu invites listeners to join and learn.Episode Timeline[00:50] Welcome and introducing Buntu Majaja[01:46] How is Buntu feeling ahead of the Innovation Summit[03:28] Top startup investment industries in Africa[08:02] Examples of innovative African startups solving local problems[12:12] Overview of the South African Innovation Summit[15:01] Closing wordsResources MentionedSouth African Innovation Summit: https://innovationsummit.co.za

Listen to Founder Joseph Rutakangwa Share His Entrepreneurial Journey on Entrepreneurs Talk Africa SummaryIn this episode of Entrepreneurs Talk Africa, host Gerald Ami speaks with Joseph Rutakangwa, founder and CEO of consumer insights startup Rwazi. Joseph shares his unique journey across Africa and into entrepreneurship, from early community development projects to launching a profitable startup poised for growth. Timeline Highlights0:39 - Joseph introduces his background growing up in Tanzania and Uganda before becoming a student in the US. He started doing community development projects in Tanzania at 19. 4:55 - Joseph pivoted from graphic design and videography to focus on sustainable community impact, leading him to launch Rwazi.9:53 - He explains Rwazi's model of leveraging mobile technology and local consumers to capture granular consumer data and insights in African markets. 14:45 - Joseph discusses the challenges faced by African startups, including lack of early funding and dependence on revenue versus external capital. 19:52 - Rwazi is now growing quickly in the US, helping American companies export using hyperlocal data from emerging markets.24:13 - Joseph shares advice for aspiring founders, stressing the importance of sales skills and focusing on revenue generation.ReferencesFor more on emerging market consumer insights, listen to BCGTalks' episode on "The Human Cloud".Joseph mentions benefiting from Google's AI Impact Challenge grant.Rwazi's data-driven approach connects with principles in the book "Data-Driven Business Decisions" by Sharda, Delen, and Turban.

Welcome to the "News of the Entrepreneurs Talk Africa" podcast where our founders Marc, Jason, and Gerald explore the dynamic world of African entrepreneurship. They kickstart the series by delving into the current state of startup funding, the rise of generative AI, the shift in venture capital mindsets, and the impressive surge in female entrepreneurship across the continent.Timeline00:00:06 - Introduction to the podcast and hosts.00:00:57 - The trio begins their discussion on the current funding situation for startups in Africa.00:11:07 - Jason emphasizes the importance of investment opportunities for growth in fragmented ecosystems like Africa.00:12:34 - Gerald introduces a paradigm shift in companies' utilization of investment funds.00:13:47 - Jason points out investment opportunities from grant-giving organizations.00:16:39 - Marc shares details about the Africa Business Heroes program from the Jack Ma Foundation.00:19:04 - Gerald explores the expanding presence of tech hubs and incubators in emerging African markets.00:21:55 - The team dives into the importance and utilization of generative AI for African entrepreneurs.00:26:40 - Jason argues that AI has become a necessary tool for all businesses.00:28:04 - Jason provides insights into investment trends and prospects in Africa.00:30:46 - The hosts discuss the rise of female entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa.ReferencesGenerative AI: Explore further about AI on OpenAI and Technology Review's Article on GPT-4, as well as AI initiatives by Google and Microsoft.Discover thriving African entrepreneurs at FCB dot AI, She Leads Africa, Lionesses of Africa, and African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative.Venture Capital: Know more about Savvy, Fred Swaniker from ALU, and African tech hubs.Female Entrepreneurship: Learn about it from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor and Soul Rebels.Additional resources: African Business Angel Network, DEG Developed PPP Ventures program, Go-Getters Agri Prize, Agri Hack, Africa Business Heroes program, Rwanda tech hubs: KLab, [Impact Hub Kigali](https://impacthub.rwEnjoy! And let us know what you think about this new season!

In this episode of Entrepreneurs Talk Africa, host Jason Delorie reconnects with Stephano Rose, an African diaspora entrepreneur based in Australia and the founder of Next Avenue. Join them as they delve into Stephano's journey, the growth of Next Avenue, and his valuable insights for success in the African market.Key Takeaways:1. Building Structure and Agility: Stephano highlights the importance of balancing structure and agility as Next Avenue scaled. Maintaining lean operations while establishing key processes allowed the team to pivot and adapt to changing market needs.2. Cultivating a Strong Company Culture: Next Avenue prioritizes its team's growth and culture by actively listening, mentoring, and encouraging feedback. This fosters a collaborative environment that leads to better solutions for clients and long-term relationships.3. Staying Connected with Africa: Despite being based in Australia, Stephano emphasizes the significance of staying connected with the African ecosystem. By maintaining relationships and engaging with prospects, Nexavenu has built a pipeline for future opportunities on the continent.4. The Post-COVID African Ecosystem: Stephano observes that Africa is still catching up and recovering from the challenges brought by the pandemic. While some businesses remain risk-averse, others are seizing opportunities and moving faster. Small enterprises can be more agile and adapt quickly to changes in the market.5. Overcoming Challenges in Growth: Finding the right people at the right time has been a significant challenge for Next Avenue in the past two years. The uncertain business landscape and waves of COVID-related disruptions affected the availability of skilled individuals and slowed down decision-making processes.6. Financial Literacy and Sales Skills: Stephano emphasizes the importance of developing financial literacy for entrepreneurs. Understanding cash flow management and finance enables better decision-making and sustainable growth. Sales skills, including negotiation tactics and go-to-market strategies, are also crucial for success.7. Remote Work and Sustainable Growth: Next Avenue has embraced remote work and found it to be a flexible and efficient approach. However, finding the right people remains essential, as remote work doesn't eliminate the need for talent and fit within the team.8. Looking Ahead: Next Avenue has plans to expand its presence in the European and American markets while continuing to serve clients in Africa. The company aims for sustainable growth, focusing on organic expansion and leveraging its expertise and experience in the Salesforce ecosystem.Words of Wisdom:Stephano encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to maintain a continuous learning mindset. He recommends investing time in resources such as YouTube videos to gain essential knowledge in areas like finance and sales. Reflecting on progress regularly and being honest with oneself are vital for personal growth and navigating the entrepreneurial journey.Recommended Resources:- YouTube: Stephano suggests exploring YouTube videos on managing cash flow and understanding company valuations for valuable insights.- Entrepreneurs Talk Africa Podcast: Tune in to the full episode with Stefano Rose to gain deeper insights into his entrepreneurial journey, growth strategies, and valuable advice for entrepreneurs in Africa.Conclusion:Discover the evolving journey of Stephano Rose, the founder of Next Avenue, as he shares his experiences, challenges, and growth strategies on Entrepreneurs Talk Africa. Gain valuable insights into building a successful business, staying connected with the African ecosystem, and developing key skills for sustainable growth. Don't miss this inspiring episode!

The Rising Potential of Africa - A Conversation with Jason Delorie and Gabriel DelerueWe met Gabriel for the first time  in March 2021, Season 5, Episode 10. In this episode we move from Mauritius to Morocco where Gabriel and his family now reside. Gabriel, co-founder and CEO of Fleeti, shares his growth, expansion ambitions, and challenges he faced over the last two years.Join us on this exciting episode of "Entrepreneurs Talk Africa", as we delve into a fascinating conversation with Jason Delorie and Gabriel Delerue. The dynamic duo discuss the evolving entrepreneurial landscape in Africa, the importance of infrastructure development, and the growth potential of the continent. This conversation will inspire, educate, and pique your curiosity.Key points discussed in this episode:1. **The Changing Face of Africa** - Jason Delorie shares his observations on the fast-paced movement, development, and investment in African infrastructure. Gabriel Delerue reflects on the increasing self-sufficiency seen in many African countries, where local talent is stepping up to meet domestic needs instead of relying on foreign aid or intervention. 2. **Africa's Self-Sufficiency Trend** - Gabriel talks about the growing trend of countries leveraging local talent and resources for their development, reducing reliance on foreign entities. He discusses the effects of this trend on the continent's growth and positivity.3. **Business Growth Lever** - Jason asks Gabriel to reveal the one thing that had the most impact on his company's ability to scale in different markets. Gabriel emphasizes the importance of focus and hard work, and how these have been vital to their business growth.4. **Advice for Entrepreneurs** - Gabriel shares his insights on the challenges of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of focusing on a single problem at a time. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to "fake it till you make it" and persist in the face of failure.5. **Looking Ahead** - Gabriel gives an exciting update about their future plans, revealing that they aim to expand their company to three more countries by the end of the year. He also shares his thoughts on balancing a day job with a side hustle to validate your business idea.Reference: https://www.fleeti.co.Don't miss out on this insightful episode! Dive into the podcast to gain a deeper understanding of Africa's entrepreneurial journey, lessons learned, and strategies for scaling businesses. If you're an aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation is a goldmine of valuable advice.Remember to rate and review our podcast on your favorite listening app. We love to hear your feedback!

In this episode of Entrepreneurs Talk Africa, we catch up with Madvee Muthu, the founder of Bees with Stories, as she shares her journey over the past two years in the sustainable beekeeping industry. She discusses the challenges faced, milestones achieved, and the importance of personal touches in her business. Tune in to hear Madvee's insights and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.Show Notes:00:00 - Introduction to Madvee Muthu, founder of Bees with Stories02:03 - Recent challenges in the beekeeping industry, including security issues and weather conditions affecting the colonies05:32 - The importance of sustainable beekeeping practices and maintaining strong, healthy colonies07:45 - Challenges in finding larger outlets for selling honey, and the role of volume in the business model10:50 - Milestones achieved in the past two years:Being a finalist in the Best of Organic Market 2021Selected for Cornell University's interdisciplinary case study programInvitation to join the Swedish team as a honey expert in an international competition14:15 - The power of personal touches in marketing and customer engagement17:05 - Returning customers and the importance of product tasting19:30 - Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs:Distinguish between noise and real advice from experienced individualsLearn from others in your ecosystemEnjoy the journey and embrace the ups and downs22:38 - Conclusion and closing thoughtsReferences:Best of Organic Market 2021: https://www.soilassociation.org/certification/events/boom-awards/boom-award-winners/Cornell University's interdisciplinary program: https://courses.cornell.edu/content.php?catoid=31&navoid=7942Check out this inspiring episode with Madvee Muthu as she shares her experiences and insights in sustainable beekeeping and entrepreneurship. Listen now!

In this episode of Entrepreneurs Talk Africa, host Gerald Ami speaks with McKevin Ayaba, a fellow African entrepreneur, CEO of Cerebral, and ecosystem builder. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities faced by African entrepreneurs and the importance of creating a more technical and entrepreneurial economy in Africa.Highlights:McKevin shares some of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in Africa, including structural issues, access to international markets, and external shocks like bank failures.The high costs of traveling across the continent are a significant burden for startup entrepreneurs.McKevin emphasizes the importance of investment readiness and believes that both investors and founders need to do more.Policies play a critical role in attracting investment to the continent, and African governments should consider waiving certain taxes and incentivizing investors.Despite the challenges, McKevin believes that Africa has a wealth of opportunities, particularly in the fields of technology and innovation.AI is one of the most promising technologies for the continent, and McKevin encourages entrepreneurs to continue innovating and learning.To create a more technical and entrepreneurial economy, Africa needs to focus on education, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation from primary school through university.McKevin shares his hopes for the future of Africa's startup ecosystem and believes that with the right support and investment, the continent can become a global leader in entrepreneurship.Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders Summit and Awards: www.asebsummit.com In this insightful conversation, McKevin Ayaba shares his perspectives on the challenges and opportunities faced by African entrepreneurs. As an ecosystem builder and advocate for entrepreneurship in Africa, McKevin's insights provide valuable context for those looking to understand and engage with the continent's thriving startup scene. Listen to this episode to learn more about how Africa can embrace its unique strengths and develop a more technical and entrepreneurial economy.

Navigating the Future of Chatbots, API Collaboration, and the Importance of Building Sustainable BusinessesIn this episode of Entrepreneurs Take Africa, our host Marc Israel sits down with Antoine Paillusseau, the CEO of fcb.ai, to discuss the power of AI in shaping the future of conversational solutions and the importance of building sustainable businesses.Key discussion points include:The benefits of AI and chatbot technology in improving customer experienceHow fcb.ai is integrating GPT-4 into their platformChallenges faced during the development and growth of the companyUpcoming projects and initiatives, including an AI-powered negotiation toolThe importance of collaboration and opening up APIs for a more inclusive approachMoving towards productizing and focusing on sustainable business modelsAdvice for aspiring entrepreneurs in AfricaMentions and Links:fcb.ai: https://www.fcb.aiGPT-4 by OpenAI: https://openai.com/IBM Watson: https://www.ibm.com/watsonIn this insightful conversation, Antoine shares the incredible opportunities presented by AI and conversational solutions, such as enhancing customer experiences and promoting collaboration. He also discusses the challenges in recruitment, sales, and building a sustainable business model.Antoine highlights the upcoming projects and initiatives that fcb.ai is excited about, including an AI-powered negotiation tool and the opening up of APIs for a more collaborative approach to their technology.Finally, Antoine shares invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in Africa, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, building sustainable businesses, and focusing on inclusivity and multiculturalism.Don't miss out on this fascinating discussion on the future of AI, chatbots, and the essential role they play in the ever-evolving landscape of technology and business. Listen now!

Welcome to Entrepreneurs Talk Africa, the essential podcast for Africans trailblazing entrepreneurs, brought to you by The Talk Collective. In this episode, Marc Israel interviews Florent Masson and Sebastien Leblanc from MIPS, a payment orchestration system for merchants and consumers. They discuss their entrepreneurial journey, the challenges they have faced, and the importance of taking risks and trying new things.During the podcast, Sebastien Leblanc shared how they started MIPS and how their experience as entrepreneurs helped them to build a fast and agile company that makes decisions quickly. He emphasized the importance of having a mindset that is not afraid to take risks and try new things. Florent Masson added that it is crucial to get feedback from customers as quickly as possible and use that feedback to improve products or services.The hosts also discussed the challenges of being an entrepreneur and how to overcome them. They talked about how bureaucracy can be a major obstacle to innovation and growth, and how to avoid falling into the trap of becoming too bureaucratic. They also shared their personal experiences and successes, including how they were able to get their logo displayed in multiple spots at a food court, and the launch of their new product, MIPS fidelity system.If you're looking for some entrepreneurial inspiration and insights, this episode of Entrepreneurs Talk Africa is a must-listen. Be sure to check out the show notes for a direct link to MIPS and its payment orchestration system.MIPS website: https://www.mips.mu/

In this episode of Entrepreneurs Talk Africa, host Jason Delorie sits down with Chris Rey, Chief Growth Officer of Apollo Scooters. They discuss Chris's journey in building a successful company from scratch and the importance of growth and empathy in business.Chris shares how he started his company, Apollo Scooters, and the challenges he faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of being resilient, taking calculated risks, and staying focused on your goals.They also talk about the importance of building a team and empowering them with the right resources and equipment to succeed. Chris shares how he hires based on attitude and empathy, and how he values his team's input and feedback.Throughout the conversation, Chris emphasizes the importance of customer centricity, quality control, and the ability to adapt to change. He also shares some of his favorite books and podcasts that have helped him in his journey.This episode is a must-listen for any aspiring entrepreneur looking to build a successful company through growth and empathy.Key takeaways:Being resilient and taking calculated risks are important in building a successful company.Empathy and customer centricity are key to building a loyal customer base.Building a strong team and empowering them with the right resources and equipment is crucial for success.Quality control is important as you grow and expand your customer base.The ability to adapt to change is important in a fast-paced business environment.Recommended reading:"Good to Great" by Jim Collins"The Hard Thing About Hard Things" by Ben HorowitzThank you for listening to Entrepreneurs Talk Africa. Please give us a five-star rating and share this podcast with other aspiring entrepreneurs. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to us at hello@entrepreneurstalk.africa.

In this episode of Entrepreneurs Talk Africa, host Marc Israel welcomes back Victor Maina, the founder of Duhqa, a startup on a mission to connect millions of small retailers with manufacturers through technology. The episode delves into the progress and evolution of this African startup, with insights and stories of success to inspire and inform entrepreneurs. Victor explains how Duhqa has been connecting  pop shops with manufacturers for the past two years, and how the app they've developed allows retailers to choose products and prices. The back end of the app collects data to give manufacturers insights into consumer behavior.[00:02:51] Evolution of Duhqa's business.[00:04:14] One-stop-shop party planning.[00:08:28] Well-funded competitors.[00:13:34] Fastest delivery in the market.[00:16:09] Overcoming challenges as a founder.[00:19:08] Company growth and expansion.[00:22:53] Starting a business.Enjoy!

"Be ready to get your hands dirty" is the closing sentence from Justin and it introduces well this first evolution episode.We welcome Justin Lock, CEO and founder, and Erik Wand, VP of Operations, of Kamix. Kamix solves the problem of remittance, sending me to and from Africa to other countries in the world, at 0% commission. Yes, you read well, 0% commission. How do they do this ? With a great app, infrastructure and organization. You will learn more from their website, https://www.kamix.io. In this episode, Justin and Erik come up with their stories of growth and struggles over the last two years. Justin appeared in Season 2, Episode 9, in October 2020 ! This new episode is providing great insights from Kamix journey and unveil their bright future. Enjoy listening to this episode and remember to let us 5 stars on your favorite podcast app.

Hello fellas,We are back! We've missed you and I hope you've missed us too (I heard it was the case from some of you). After a six months break to rethink, rekindle and regroup, we are back for a new season (the twelfth) and a new breath. In this episode, Jason, Gerald and I go through the whys, the hows and the future. We are very happy to be back and look forward to serving your ears with the best about African entrepreneurship!Marc

Here's the debrief of my conversation with Ninh like Tran, founder of SnapBrillia. As usual, this is the key takeaways from the full conversation that you can find here.

When I read the following sentence "Empower people to collaborate and share their knowledge while building the future of the open-source web with, and for, the community", I immediately thought, wow! It was rich and I wanted to learn more.I had the chance to meet the founding team of SnapBrillia through Seedstars, and the more we were discussing, the more I became certain it would be a great addition to the podcast. Yes, it's not targeting Africa per se, it's not even set in Africa, but I felt SnapBrillia's mission and its founder's experience would inspire African entrepreneurs.So here's my interview with Ninh like Tran, founder of SnapBrillia! Enjoy!

We, Jason, Gerald and Marc debrief on Cindy's interview about Umazi and her experience as a female founder in a very male environment. The full episode can be found here.

In this episode, we welcome the three co-founders of Entrepreneurs Talk Africa for their key takeaways of the discussion with Brian and Alistair, co-founders of Tulix. The full episode is here.

In this debrief episode, we come back on Marc's conversation with Alundas Havens from Alpha Podcasters. The full episode can be downloaded here.

We come back on Duhqa and our conversation with Victor. For the full episode, go there.

Find Jason, Gerald and Marc debriefing on Marc's discussion with Orit, founder of Giving Way. You can find the full episode here.

In this debrief episode, Jagon, Gerald and Marc come back on their discussion with Arthur, founder of AiCare. For the full episode, go there.

In this debrief episode, get the most of our conversation with Kaushik, founder of Yugo. As usual, if you want the full episode, just go there.

Podcasting is made of encounters. We met a couple of very successful podcasters, along them features Alundas Havens from Alpha Podcasters. In this special encounters episode, we discussed entrepreneurship, life and the universe with Alundas.  A special episode like no others from across the Atlantic with a perspective on creating your life, particularly when nothing was initially planned!

We're closing this series of episodes about funding with the key takeaways from Jason, Gerald and Marc. What are the three or four items that are making a difference in the funding stories of those startupers? Discover each takeaway and why it has been picked. Stay also tuned for more goodies coming from Entrepreneurs Talk Africa soon!

Due diligence, two words that can make any web trusted service shiver. Due diligence is front and center to many regulated and non-regulated industries, as soon as they want to do business with each other. In this episode, we meet Cindy van Niekerk, CEO and founder of Umazi, a company whose mission is to build trusted relationships through the exchange of verified information. At the crossroads of distributed ledger technologies, Umazi provides transparency, collaboration and compliance.Cindy walks us memory lane that lead her and her team to build Umazi. Discover lessons of trust, resilience, courage and sheer determination. Enjoy!

The African diaspora plays an important role in the lives of millions of Africans. By sending money back home, it contributes to the wellbeing of millions. It's facing many challenges, particularly about misuse of the funds. This is where Tulix comes with an innovative solution for remittance by the diaspora.In this episode, Jason welcomes Brian Muriu and Alistair Gould, founders of Tulix, who share their experience creating and funding Tulix. You will discover a lot of insights on investors' relationship, learning curve and readiness, among many topics covered in this interview. Enjoy!

Running an NGO is a full-time job. However, running all the operations, particularly funding them, is time consuming. Giving Way provides a simple solution to thousands of NGO to run smoothly and effectively. Today we welcome Orit Strauss Raz, CEO and co-founder of Giving Way.Orit provides valuable insights on how she and her team raised money in multiple round. She comes back on Giving Way struggles and how they overcome them. Giving Way is a unicorn in the making and this episode is a key opportunity to learn from its founder. Enjoy!

Retail is quite a challenge in Africa. From retailers who may not get their product on time, to manufacturers who would like to expand their retail footprint, adding to all the riders who would like to increase their occupation rate, Duhqa is the perfect solution.In this episode, we meet Victor Maina, founder of Duhqa, a tech company that solves logistic challenges in Africa. During our conversation, Victor highlights three key areas if you want to raise money fast: 1 – Grow your business and track your metrics, 2- Master the art of storytelling, 3- Narrow down to the right investors. Discover more in Victor's interview and experience. Enjoy!

In this episode, we welcome Arthur Mulwa, CEO and co-founder of AiCare, a Kenyan insurtech startup. Arthur walks us into the genesis of AiCare, its evolution and his learnings along the way. He talks about patience required to grow a company and the inherent bold naivety of startupers who moves mountains. He shares that taking feedback positively, picking the right investor, and talking to other entrepreneurs are the key ingredients to raise money successfully. At the same time, he shares there's a real lack of information about investors.Finally, although it's difficult to value a company, defining the right metrics is key to investors discussion. Enjoy the conversation!You can reach Arthur on LinkedIn and AiCare here.

Today, we welcome Kaushik Rathod, founder of Yugo, more than a taxi-hailing company, it brings transportation solution to Mauritius. Although it looks like more famous apps, it differs through its local and culture adaptation.Kaushik shares Yugo story, of “persistence, resilience, and patience”, three key characteristics of entrepreneurs, that Kaushik believes are key. He walks us through his journey of funding from “being lucky” to picking the right investor.An episode full of wisdom and tips for every entrepreneur and startuper who want to raise money to develop her or his venture.You can reach Kaushik through Yugo's website.

In the fourth and last episode of our mini-series dedicated to the theme of Online Marketing for Entrepreneurs, we focus on the theme of Web!If you have followed our podcast over the past three weeks, you know that we have covered the topics of Branding, Content, and Digital. All of them play a vital role in the success of a brand's online marketing strategy. Web + ConversionAs a starting point, Winley suggests that first you should check what is wrong with your website. Understand where you are lagging and fix the weak spots. Is your website or app mobile-friendly? Does it load rapidly? Does your contact form actually work?Here are some suggested tools to help you diagnose the health of your website and take corrective actions: —GT Metrics—amiresponsive.co.uk—Google Search Console—HotjarBe mobile-first and show empathy.We are living in a mobile first era, so ensure that your website or app is a 100% mobile friendly.We touched the theme of Call to Action (CTA). Call to actions that shows empathy to the process the user is currently in has shown to drive more user engagements that the usual “Buy Now” rhetoric. “You need to show that you want to assist before trying to sell”  — Winley. Tune in to the podcast to hear more in-depth insights from our digital marketing expert, Winley Vellin, who for these past weeks have been distilling actionable insights into how to take your Online Marketing to the next level.

Welcome to the third episode of our mini-series on Entrepreneurs Talk Africa focused on Online Marketing for Entrepreneurs. This week with our digital marketing expert guest Winley Vellin, we tackle the theme of Digital. First of all, we have to clearly distinguish that Digital is a component of Online Marketing, even though more often than not these terms are used interchangeably.Digital is the channel that helps you reach your target audience, interact with them and ultimately build relevant relationships with them.This podcast episode is really insightful as it gives you several snackable insights that you can incorporate in your digital marketing mix and digital strategy and start shifting your digital performance.The 5 W (well 4W1H) framework to build your Digital Strategy.Winley gave an easy framework to work with while laying down the foundation of your digital strategy:Why are you doing what you are doing?Who are you targeting?What message are you putting out?When are you going to push your content to your audience?How are you going to do all of that?We also talked about how the good Ol' Email marketing channel is STILL WORKS. Sending out personalised email can go a long way. Winley talked about up to 70% open rate while industry average is at 15%.Suggested Tool: Active CampaignOn a closing note, we emphasized on the value of collaboration with others and how this can lead to deep-rooted synergies and exponential growth potential.Tune in here to listen to the podcast episode and learn more on how you can better leverage Online Marketing for your business.

In this second episode of our mini-series dedicated in to Online Marketing for Entrepreneurs, led by the digital marketing expert Winley Vellin, we cover the topic of content.Winley shared about the importance of keeping your content; relevant, valuable and, relatable.If you think that content is all about text, then broaden your perspective to include new formats such as podcasts, videocasts, and infographics amongst others.Winley shared with us some quick actionable tips to generate traffic on on your website such as X versus Y posts.  For example "MailChimp versus HubSpot" style blog posts. Tune into the podcast to hear more about it and learn how to generate substantial and relevant traffic to your website.We also explored the content creation framework called PBC framework (PBC standing for Preview Benefits and Call to actions) to develop your content strategy and we also touch on the topic of evergreen content. To conclude here are some interesting tools that was share during the podcast episode that you can add into your tool digital marketing toolbox:- animalz - explodingtopics.com  - questiondb amongst others (listen to the podcast for more tools, tips and ideas).Enjoy this second episode of this mini-series wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.About WinleyWinley is what we can qualify as a pure digital marketer. With more than a decade of experience in the field of digital marketing and exposure in various industries ranging from hospitality, travel, and consumer goods where he distilled his expertise, he is well versed into his subject.He founded the digital marketing agency future buzz and developed their digital marketing approached dubbed the Buzz Spot.Connect with Winley via his LinkedIn account here 

Today we inaugurate a new series of  Entrepreneurs Talk Africa episodes focused on delivering actionable insights to entrepreneurs about online marketing strategies. Today, we talk about the topic of branding and what are the actions you as entrepreneur can implement to take your online marketing to the next level.Some keys insights shared by Winley Vellin our first guest of this mini-series are:Start with your WHY. Be consistent by streamlining your brand messageIdentify what makes your brand different and proudly build on it.Use your brand elements as much as possibleKnow the pains and frustrations of your audienceHow to use your about us page on your website and align it to your online marketing strategy.Tune in here: to listen to the #podcast episode and drop any questions or feedback you may have about in the comments below. About WinleyWinley is what we can qualify as a pure digital marketer. With more than a decade of experience in the field of digital marketing and exposure in various industries ranging from hospitality, travel, and consumer goods where he distilled his expertise, he is well versed into his subject.He founded the digital marketing agency future buzz and developed their digital marketing approached dubbed the Buzz Spot. Connect with Winley via his LinkedIn account here 

Entertainement is a fast growing industry. For producers finding the best talent is sometimes a difficult endeavor. Casting is intense for talents and a major investment of time and energy for most. Kwasi Bosiako Antwi, co-founder and CEO of Casting Africa, has gone through all those difficulties and decided to launch Casting Africa, a casting platform and talent directory focused on connecting African talents to the global market. It helps actors, models, dancers & influencers reach their full potential through a platform designed for them.In this episode, we discover Kwasi's story that led to the creation of Casting Africa, his struggles, successes, and learning. It's unique episode in the world of TV, Cinema and Arts. Enjoy!

Education is top of mind for many families. But as parents, how can you make sure your child benefits the most from school. How can you help kids to succeed at school? Answering those questions motivated Yves Jiwo to create Tootree, a unique service to help schools, parents and students to make the most of their school experience.In this episode, you discover the genesis of Tootree, its unique concept and approach, and how it helps kids succeed at school and in life, as well as key learnings from its founder, Yves Jiwo. Enjoy!Note: this episode has been recorded in French!

If you love books, you may appreciate audio books. However, if you read African authors, you may find difficult to find audio books from African authors. This is where AkooBooks Audio will fill a gap. AkooBooks Audio is Ghana's first publisher and digital distributor of African audiobooks, and offers a wide range of audio services. In this episode, we have the privilege to meet Ama Dadson, CEO and Founder of AkooBooks Audio, and winner of many prizes:  Women In Tech Africa Startup of The Year Award 2021 ,Mastercard Foundation African EdTech Fellow (2020), Award, Tony Elumelu Foundation Alumni, AFIDBA Ghana laureate, Winner AEA Award 2018. Ama walks us through the creation of her company, her learnings and her passions. Enjoy this unique episode from a unique African startup!

If you've ever run a company, you probably know that "cash is king". However, getting paid is not always easy and following up with payments is time-consuming. Cashback Consulting is a company created to solve this conundrum. In this episode, we welcome Inès Assoumou, founder of Cashback Consulting, who shares how and why the company was created and what she learned along the way. Enjoy!

What do you do when you purchase a second-hand luxury car in Africa and want to service it, you may be facing a conundrum that Motors Part Nation will solve for you. Marc had the pleasure to host Genera Moore, founder of Motors Part Nation, who is walking us in the car servicing industry. She goes into her story and the change of business model she had to go through to strive not only in the spare part industry but also, and above all, in professionalizing the car servicing industry. A lot of incredibly good business nuggets right into your ears. Enjoy!

Wellness and Beauty are multi-billion dollars businesses. However, when you are looking for the perfect practitioner, you may be lost in a void or with a plethora of options and no real guidance. This is where Kipepeo helps, at least for the moment if you're in Mauritius.Kipepeo is the 1st Beauty & Wellness online booking marketplace connecting professionals and customers. Marc is welcoming Warren Pougnet, co-founder of Kipepeo. In this episode, you will not only learn more about Kipepeo, but dive into its infancies, the struggles of Warren and his co-founder Marie Behrens and how the project is now soaring with great perspectives. Enjoy this fourth episode of the Angel Fair Africa season.

In this episode, we welcome Aziz Omar Masumbuko, founder of SaveApp. SaveApp has released Ukonga, a USSD and APP platform that enables its users to save passively through their everyday spend. SaveApp's vision is to solve Africa's social economic problems using technology. A bold vision from a bold team. Enjoy!

In this second episode of the special Angel Fair Africa season, Jason hosts Beth Mwangi, founder of My Wage Pay, who helps employees get control of their financial lives to help them save more and advance their careers and employers to have less financially-stressed employees that translates into a happier, healthier and more productive workforce. My Wage Pay also runs a wellness program that helps  employees make smarter moves with their money by providing award winning information on how to budget, save and invest. Enjoy the conversation!

Today, we launch a special season of Entreprise Talk Africa for Angel Fair Africa, that will be held in Mauritius from 22 to 26 November 2021. Each episode of this season will feature one of the startups that will pitch during this event. It will be a great opportunity to know more about each founder and startup.In this first episode of the AFA Season, we welcome Oyedayo Oyeniran, founder of DeliverASAP who is changing the landscape of last mile delivery in Nigeria and further down accross Africa. Enjoy!

In this kind-of-special episode, Gerald meets two team members of Enpact, Heather Dannyelle Thompson and Tanyi Franç-Martial to talk about entrepreneurship in Africa and the launch of their magazine. Go grab a copy as soon as you've listened to this episode. Enjoy!

10 minutes of your time will make you discover a shot of insight of what success can be about, from my conversation with James Van Der Westhuizen. For the full episode, go here.

This week's guest is not the typical startuper. He's a more seasoned entrepreneur, fascinated as we are by Africa and entrepreneurial growth. We are happy to introduce James Van Der Westhuizen, founder and CEO of Knowhouse.In this show, we go over the 7 Principles of People Power, entrepreneurship, Africa rising, and many more topics. Here are the books we talk about in the episode:Creating Confidence, by Tom and David KelleyThe Category Pirates series of Christopher LochheadEnjoy this episode with Marc and James.