Startups

Venture Debt 101: Basics and Approach

While equity financing remains the primary source of capital for many startups, venture debt offers an alternative financing option that can complement equity funding and provide additional flexibility.

May 16th, 2024 | 5 min read | Olamide Bankole

The Biggest Mistakes First-Time Founders Make

Embarking on the journey of entrepreneurship is an exhilarating experience filled with promise, passion, and potential. As a first-time founder, you're driven by a vision, eager to disrupt industries, and ready to bring your innovative ideas to life. However, amidst the excitement, it's crucial to recognize that the path to startup success is fraught with challenges and pitfalls.

May 7th, 2024 | 4 min read | Olamide Bankole

Turning Advocates into Acquisition Engines: Building a Powerful Referral Program for Your Startup

In the dynamic realm of startup growth, the battle for customer acquisition often feels like an uphill climb. Traditional marketing tactics may yield limited results, leaving startups grappling for innovative strategies to gain traction in crowded markets. However, amidst this challenge lies a potent yet often underutilized weapon: referral marketing.

May 2nd, 2024 | 3 min read | Olamide Bankole

Why Founders Shouldn't Think Like Investors

In this blog post, we’ll explore why founders shouldn’t think like investors and how embracing their distinct role can lead to more authentic and sustainable success.

April 12th, 2024 | 2 min read | Olamide Bankole

Idea Validation and Testing: The First Step to Startup Success

Before entrepreneurs can embark on the journey of turning their visions into reality, they must navigate the intricate process of validating their ideas. This article explores the significance of idea validation as the foundational pillar of startup success, shedding light on its importance, methods, and real-world impact.

April 3rd, 2024 | 5 min read | Olamide Bankole

The Parallel Paths of AI and SaaS Startups

Let's explore how these two domains intersect and complement each other in the world of entrepreneurship.

March 13th, 2024 | 2 min read | Olamide Bankole

Startup Infrastructure: Lessons from the Hustle, Not the Ivory Tower

In the fast-paced world of startups, success often hinges not just on lofty strategies crafted in boardrooms, but on the gritty, on-the-ground lessons learned through hustle and determination. Building a startup from the ground up requires more than just academic knowledge; it demands real-world experience, resilience, and a willingness to learn from the trenches.

March 6th, 2024 | 2 min read | Olamide Bankole

Why has African Tech Startup Funding Declined So Badly, and What Happens Now?

In recent years, the African tech startup ecosystem has been a beacon of innovation and growth, drawing attention from investors worldwide. However, the landscape has taken a hit with a significant decline in funding.

February 14th, 2024 | 3 min read | Olamide Bankole

Effective Ways to Find and Pitch to Investors

While the journey of fundraising can seem daunting, especially for early-stage founders, mastering the art of finding and pitching to investors is crucial. In this article, we'll explore some effective strategies to navigate the fundraising process with confidence and success.

February 7th, 2024 | 2 min read | Olamide Bankole

From Seedling to Sequoia: Growing Consumer Trust For Startup Success

In the fast-paced world of startups, where innovation and disruption reign supreme, one element stands as a linchpin for success—consumer trust. Establishing trust is a delicate dance, especially for new players entering the market. In this blog post, we'll delve into the psychology of consumer trust and uncover strategies that startups can employ to build confidence in their brand.

January 17th, 2024 | 2 min read | Olamide Bankole

Avoiding the Quagmire: The Pitfall of Data Hoarding in Start-ups

In the ever-evolving landscape of startups, data is often hailed as the new currency. The ability to collect, analyze, and leverage data has become a crucial factor in driving innovation and achieving success. However, amid the enthusiasm for data-driven decision-making, there's a lurking danger that many startups inadvertently stumble into — the quagmire of data hoarding. In this article, we'll explore the pitfalls of data hoarding and why startups should prioritize a strategic approach to data management.

January 12th, 2024 | 2 min read | Olamide Bankole

OKR 1.0 vs. OKR 2.0 - What Sets Them Apart?

In this article, we will explore the shift from OKR 1.0 to OKR 2.0, examining the fundamental distinctions that characterize these two versions.

December 13th, 2023 | 2 min read | Olamide Bankole

Decoding Product-Market Fit: Is the Lean Approach the Ultimate Key?

In the fast-paced world of startups and product development, the elusive concept of Product-Market Fit (PMF) stands as the holy grail. The journey from ideation to a successful product that resonates with the market is riddled with challenges. In this blog post, we'll explore the significance of Product-Market Fit, the hurdles faced by entrepreneurs, and the role of the Lean approach in cracking the code to unlock sustainable success.

December 6th, 2023 | 2 min read | Olamide Bankole

The Role of Customer-Centricity in Building a Strong Business Model

In the dynamic landscape of business, one principle stands out as a cornerstone for success: customer-centricity. The notion of placing the customer at the heart of every business decision is not just a trend but a fundamental shift in how organizations create value. In this deep dive, we explore the pivotal role of customer-centricity in building a robust and enduring business model.

November 23rd, 2023 | 3 min read | Benita Riagbayire

Navigating Success: 3 Things to Do Before You Close Your Fundraising Round

In this blog post, we'll explore three crucial things to do before you close your fundraising round to ensure a smooth and successful transition to the next phase of your startup journey.

November 15th, 2023 | 2 min read | Olamide Bankole

How to conduct comprehensive market research and analysis as a startup looking to attract funding

In this article, we will explore the key aspects of market research that startups should focus on when attracting funding.

November 8th, 2023 | 4 min read | Benita Riagbayire

Funding Trends: Insights into the State of Startup Financing in Late 2023

As we approach the end of 2023, it's essential to take a close look at the state of startup financing and the trends that have shaped the landscape. In this blog post, we'll explore the key insights into the current state of startup financing, offering a glimpse of what startups can expect in the coming year.

November 8th, 2023 | 2 min read | Olamide Bankole

The Investor's Perspective: What Do VCs Look for in Startups?

As a startup founder, securing venture capital (VC) funding is a crucial step in scaling your business. In this blog, we'll explore what VCs seek when considering potential investments

October 19th, 2023 | 2 min read | Olamide Bankole

Accessing Funding Opportunities in Africa: A Comprehensive Guide

Like any burgeoning ecosystem, one of the most significant challenges African startups face is securing funding to fuel their growth and scale their operations. In this article, we'll explore the various funding opportunities available to entrepreneurs in Africa and offer insights on how to navigate this dynamic landscape.

October 11th, 2023 | 3 min read | Benita Riagbayire

Data-Driven Decision-Making: Leveraging Analytics for Startup Success

In today's fast-paced business world, startups face numerous challenges and uncertainties on their journey to success. With limited resources and fierce competition, making informed decisions is crucial for survival and growth. This is where data-driven decision-making and analytics come into play. In this blog post, we will explore how startups can leverage data to make smart choices that drive their success.

October 11th, 2023 | 2 min read | Olamide Bankole

How to Identify and Capitalize on Market Opportunities for Your Startup

Starting a new business venture can be both exciting and challenging. As a startup founder, one of your primary objectives is to identify and capitalize on market opportunities that can propel your business to success

August 1st, 2023 | 2 min read | Dapo Thomas

Driving Innovation: The Role of Crowdfunding in African Tech Startups

Crowdfunding is a popular method of raising funds for various projects or ventures by collecting small amounts of money from many individuals.

August 1st, 2023 | 3 min read | Dapo Thomas

With sky high interest rates: Should you raise capital as Equity or Debt at the early-stage?

Equity capital and debt capital are two of the most common ways to finance a business, but they have their pros and cons.

April 3rd, 2023 | 2 min read | Dapo Thomas

Venture Capital vs Equity Crowdfunding: Pros and Cons

Venture capital and Equity crowdfunding are two popular methods of raising capital. While venture capital and equity crowdfunding have many similarities, they also have some key differences.

December 19th, 2022 | 3 min read | Dapo Thomas

Building a lean and efficient team

How to build a lean and efficient team and the first 5 employees you should hire

October 10th, 2022 | 5 min read | Dapo Thomas

What does scaling really mean?

What it means to scale a business and questions investors might ask a startup seeking funds to scale

October 8th, 2022 | 6 min read | Dapo Thomas

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