Venture for Africa

✨ 2024 is almost over, and as we wrap up the year, we’ve been looking back at some of the moments that stood out; the milestones, the connections we made, the ideas we shared, and the impact we’ve seen along the way 💥. Here’s a quick rewind of our year (Links in the comments) 👇🏾: ✨ Starting Strong: Early in the year, we launched programs like the VFA Sandbox, where mid-career professionals got hands-on with real-world challenges at startups. The goal here was to create opportunities to test career paths and find the right fit. 🎯 Uncovering Hidden Opportunities: We spent time highlighting the power of informal networks and how so many great startup roles don’t make it to job boards. Sharing tips and helping people navigate this hidden job market felt like a way to level the playing field. 🚀 Celebrating Wins: A big highlight was Audrey Djiya’s story - from VFA fellow to founder of Zimi (YC S24), now backed by Y Combinator. Her journey reminds us why connecting people with the right opportunities matters. 🎉 Closing the Year with Community: Events like the #NairobiTalentSocial with the folks at Africa Product Peers brought together founders, hiring managers, and professionals under one roof. Watching those conversations unfold reinforced why we’re so passionate about this work. This year has been about showing up, whether for our community, our partners, or the startups we work with. As we look to 2025, we’re excited to keep building on this momentum. 🚀 Enjoy the holidays and see you back here next year! 🎊

✨ 2024 is almost over, and as we wrap up the year, we’ve been looking back at some of the moments that stood out; the milestones, the connections we made, the ideas we shared, and the impact we’ve seen along the way 💥. Here’s a quick rewind of our year (Links in the comments) 👇🏾: ✨ Starting Strong: Early in the year, we launched programs like the VFA Sandbox, where mid-career professionals got hands-on with real-world challenges at startups. The goal here was to create opportunities to test career paths and find the right fit. 🎯 Uncovering Hidden Opportunities: We spent time highlighting the power of informal networks and how so many great startup roles don’t make it to job boards. Sharing tips and helping people navigate this hidden job market felt like a way to level the playing field. 🚀 Celebrating Wins: A big highlight was Audrey Djiya’s story - from VFA fellow to founder of Zimi (YC S24), now backed by Y Combinator. Her journey reminds us why connecting people with the right opportunities matters. 🎉 Closing the Year with Community: Events like the #NairobiTalentSocial with the folks at Africa Product Peers brought together founders, hiring managers, and professionals under one roof. Watching those conversations unfold reinforced why we’re so passionate about this work. This year has been about showing up, whether for our community, our partners, or the startups we work with. As we look to 2025, we’re excited to keep building on this momentum. 🚀 Enjoy the holidays and see you back here next year! 🎊

🌟 Reliving the magic of the #Nairobi Talent Social! 🌟 Two weeks ago, in partnership with Africa Product Peers, we hosted an evening all about connections: bridging talent, opportunity, and inspiration under one roof. From tech professionals and startup founders to hiring managers and job seekers, it was a curated gathering of some of the sharpest minds in the ecosystem 🚀 One attendee put it perfectly: “It felt like a room full of possibilities.” Whether it was exploring new career paths or sharing ideas with founders shaping Africa’s future, the energy in every corner of the event was unmistakable. For some, the highlight was hearing directly from hiring managers about open roles and what they’re truly looking for in their teams. For others, it was simply the chance to connect with peers who understand the joys and challenges of working in Africa’s dynamic talent space. And for us, that’s the heart of it: we need community when we’re making big #leaps. If you missed out this time, don’t worry! We’re gearing up for the next edition in early 2025, and it promises to be even bigger. Whether you’re hiring, transitioning, or simply curious, the next Talent Social is where you’ll want to be. In the meantime, check out some photos from the event that capture just a bit of the magic—and stay tuned for more updates. A big thank you to Antler Nairobi for hosting us in your amazing space! 🙌 #NairobiTalentSocial #CareerConnections #AfricanTalent #CommunityMatters Lemuel Abishua Tobi Lafinhan Michelle Rita Mediatrix Makungu Myra Maleshe Jim Ntare Jane Wangari Makena Kinyua - Aspiring Product Manager

Dalto and Michael from Y Combinator take a step back to ask why so many founders are adopting a VC mindset. Instead of getting caught up in market trends or long-term predictions, they emphasize what really makes a difference: staying agile and focusing on what customers need right now. Their advice? Skip the rigid plans - focus on the details that actually drive growth. Curious to dive deeper? 🎥 Watch the video for some valuable insights! https://lnkd.in/dZTraEfT

💬 What’s the story with salaries in African investment? It’s time to pull back the curtain. Our friends at Dream VC and A&A Collective are running an exciting survey to uncover insights on compensation for pre-partner roles across #VentureCapital, #PrivateEquity, #DFIs, #accelerators, and more on the continent 🌍 🎯 Why does this matter? Because transparent, accessible data is key to levelling the playing field, empowering professionals, and helping organisations make informed decisions. ✨ If you’re working in this space, your voice is essential! By sharing your insights, you’re helping to create clarity around compensation, which can guide career growth, improve hiring practices, and strengthen the African investment community. You can find the survey link in the post below 👇🏾 Cindy Ai Yvonne O. Okafor Mark Kleyner

Success in startups might actually be more about avoiding pitfalls than chasing the next big idea. In his article, Jason Cohen dives into this often-overlooked strategy: • Turns out, 80% of a winning approach might just be about dodging simple, preventable mistakes. • There’s a key difference between blunders you can control and those “out of nowhere” challenges. • Just like in chess or tennis, startup success often comes down to who slips up the least. So, instead of aiming for brilliance alone, staying consistent and avoiding errors could have a bigger impact. It’s a refreshing take that flips the usual narrative of bold moves and big risks, suggesting that maybe, the real game-changer is in smart, steady execution. What do you think? 🤔 https://lnkd.in/gm2D-iUf

If you’re looking for feedback on your next big idea or strategy, here’s a surprising tip: try using private channels. Though it might seem counterintuitive, these smaller, close-knit groups can be game-changers for gathering input. Here’s why: 🔒 Candid conversations: People feel more comfortable sharing honest thoughts in private, leading to feedback you can actually use. 👥 Targeted insights: A thoughtfully chosen group brings diverse perspectives, helping you spot potential blind spots early. 🗣️ Quality over quantity: Smaller groups mean deeper discussions and richer, more focused input. 🤝 Constructive critique: In private, people are more likely to offer supportive, solution-oriented feedback, rather than just criticism. The takeaway? When you’re fine-tuning a big idea, consider tapping into a close group of trusted voices. You might find the insights you need to take things to the next level.

Imagine if your business software didn’t just manage tasks but also handled finances seamlessly. This is the promise of vertical SaaS, and it’s already gaining traction in African markets. Matt Brown’s study highlights this shift: 🚀 Vertical SaaS platforms are embedding fintech to create all-in-one solutions, with platforms that handle everything from inventory and invoicing to payroll and payments. 💡 The benefit? Startups like Egypt’s MaxAB, initially a B2B marketplace, are embedding payments to streamline transactions for small retailers, offering convenience, cost savings, and growth potential. But here’s something to consider: As these platforms expand to cover everything, can they maintain the depth and expertise needed in complex financial functions? Will they struggle to adapt to localised financial regulations or sector-specific needs? While the potential is huge, the effectiveness of this model may vary widely across sectors and regions. Explore the data to see why this model is exciting—and whether it’s as versatile as it seems for Africa’s diverse business landscape. https://lnkd.in/dBSfwKxg

Your next career step is here! Our self-paced bootcamp is crafted to support mid-level marketing professionals like you in honing skills for customer acquisition, marketing optimization, and growth strategies- all at your own pace. We’d love to have you with us. Ready to get started? https://lnkd.in/d3Egjhmm

Four years ago, we embarked on a mission to change the game within the African startup ecosystem by effectively connecting and channelling experienced talent to the right opportunities. Today, we're proud to have pioneered a groundbreaking trial-to-hire model that removes hiring barriers and fuels creative collaborations. From Kenya 🇰🇪 to Côte d'Ivoire 🇨🇮, Cameroon 🇨🇲 to Nigeria 🇳🇬, we've empowered 40+ senior managers, fractional executives and mid-career professionals to drive growth and innovation in the African startup ecosystem. In the past 2 years, we’ve also started to offer contextually-relevant bootcamps year-round and comprehensive learning programs designed to supercharge talent in the African startup ecosystem. We’re committed to continuing to shape the future of the African startup ecosystem when it comes to talent! 🚀 Discover how we can support your startup's growth or help you transition into a new role here → http://venturefor.africa/