FACE-TO-FACE A6.
Our biggest challenge in Africa,
right now, is that Africa did not really
remain small and contribute little or less
the business. On the other hand they
to the growth of their economies.
can make calls for the start ups to come forward. It may also be important to work
participate in the 2nd and 3rd industrial Revolution and as I have mentioned earlier
Q7. How important is finding a mentor
with local players to assist in identifying
that the 4th industrial revolution is upon
when it comes to growing your startup?
them as some still do not have access
us and it is affecting every sector where
to the internet while others do not have
everything is going with technology or
A7.
Finding a mentor is very very
knowledge to use the internet. In the
online but here in Africa, we are still a
important when one starts a business
context of covid 19 investors need not
little bit backward in terms of upgrading
as a startup. It is actually important
look at the current status but use the
technology. We are trying to fit into the
due to the fact that most of the time
history of the individual start ups Many
4th industrial revolution but because
we are starting something with limited
startups have taken a backseat. On
we are not manufacturing anything the
resources so we wouldn’t want to waste
the other hand, there is an opportunity
infrastructure is too expensive for us.
those resources. Doing some trial and
for investors to assist these startups
We sell raw materials to buy finished
finding errors, you want somebody who
and value what they have done before.
goods hence we end up using all our
has gone through the same process,
How they can fix their way in this crisis
income to buy a few things. We missed
who knows the possible outcomes
situation that they are in because if
at least two Industrial Revolutions hence
and errors to avoid and will guide you. A
we are going to look at people who are
we are trying to follow behind. As we try
mentor will give you the right information
doing something within the context of
to catch up with what is up in the world
about what you should do and to
COVID19 we have got so many talented
right now some of the things change
minimize your mistakes, your losses and
young people who will be left behind.
again so it is becoming a challenge to
to enable your startup to actually grow
Lastly, The one thing that I can say is
catch up.. While we missed the second
because the smallest mistake that you
for young people who intend to put up
and third industrial Revolution we still
can make in a startup can cost you so
a startup together. It is always best to
have opportunities to overcome these
much so when you have a mentor who
start something than nothing because
challenges through collaborations that
is there to assist you and to give you
young people take most of their time
take advantage of the global village. For
the right advice and probably somebody
looking for investors when they haven’t
example the existence of t organizations
who has gone through the road before,
started anything. Most investors are
like AAYFO is helping us learn from our
they can give you the right cushioning
interested in something that is already
peers in Asia and the ties we have will
against some unnecessary blunders. It is
existing and established. No matter how
yield better results in idea sharing and
not necessary that a mentor should be a
small your startup is you must believe in
coming up with more innovations that
person; it can be other sources too. We
yourself then only investors when they
can help Africa catch up quickly. AAYFO
must believe in ourselves.
come they can believe in your vision and
opens up opportunities for peer learning which will change the future of Africa and improve it’s it’s innovation. The future of Africa is in innovating for itself and
Q8.
the idea that you are giving out because How should investors find and
value startups in Africa?
so many people they can talk about ideas, in terms of implementing those ideas, it is a different thing altogether so it is best to
making sure more manufacturing is done
A8.
In terms of finding startups, it is
start with what you have. I would give an
in Africa such that it becomes cheaper
very tricky in Africa, in that sense we
example of myself when I started farming.
for Africans to use the latest technology
definitely have to go back to the issue
I used my kitchen utensils as garden tools
and machinery in their projects.
of global villages online where people
and now I’ve been able to buy some variant
Another challenge which is equally big
have promising startups and business
tools so it’s very important to start from
is the inability of African Governments
models, should go online and put their
where you are and start with what you have
to fund their own startups in their
credentials letting the possible investors
don’t wait as prolonged waiting becomes
countries. They can’t provide funding
know their existence.
procrastination which is a recipe for
and support hence their start up ideas
browse different platforms to look for
www.thetimesofafrica.com
Investors can
failure.
THE TIMES OF AFRICA
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