Thank you all for the support so far. But, we are just at the beginning of what may be a very long journey.
To that end we are still calling all hackers, developers, enthusiasts or founders with products, solutions or ideas in the following areas. Thread;
CONTACT TRACING - product or solution that helps to identify people who might have been exposed and could infect others.
HEAT MAPPING - product or solution is able to show or give an idea of what areas are most vulnerable on a map and locate infected areas.
INFORMATION BOTS - product or solution that gives updated real-time information about COVID-19, progress made in curtailing the virus and daily safety tips/prompts.
REPORTING - tools that can help with reporting suspected cases of COVID-19
LIFESTYLE ADJUSTMENTS - products or solutions that help people in the affected region has as normal lives as possible during the pandemic.
WhatsApp, SMS & USSD - tools awareness, PSA’a reporting, curing or tracing using this messaging platforms.
We’re really crunched for time so please apply here - shorturl.at/sKMRS
We underestimate what relative confidence in the institutions of state & legal system’s that work can do for business & consumer confidence.
And so I laugh when govt. folks still ask me why most startups/investee companies are domiciled offshore.
As they say business moves at the speed of trust.
In different ways; Delaware, YC safe, 500’s KISS, Mauritius, etc are all assets of trust that build entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Until we have truly visionary political leadership that can move beyond photo ops to seeing the future that is possible - African founders building for the world will continue to make pragmatic and hard choices.
Every month @vp_fund publishes the Series V newsletter where we aim to provide founders and investors - insights on company growth in Africa. 1/6
In our latest edition, we covered “Churn” - what it is, how to calculate it, and how to minimise it. We also shared some simple steps you can take to get a grasp of how churn can impact your company. Read it here: bit.ly/3eicSic 2/6
On Series V we have also covered the Mom test, validating your startup idea, creating urgency in users, and how to know if you have a killer product. Read the full article here: bit.ly/3nNgonS 3/6
It’s not even 9:30 am yet, and I have had so many exciting conversations already & am on my 2nd thread.
This is one of the benefits of my brief & rare period of solitude and reflection. #Thread
A random chat about HOV & DMX with egbon @obiasika this AM soon drifted to us talking about hubs, talent vs. opportunity in Nigeria, and the importance of solving the disparity across this vast land.
My egbon wanted to embarrass me with this line;
“I remember coming to your spot like five years ago and thinking this is the level and I can’t do this, but I can do something, so thank you, bro.”
When the coronavirus pandemic first really hit Nigeria in March, we all didn't know what to expect. As the impact on supply chains, employment, funding rounds & national economies became more manifest, many startups braced themselves for The End.
As layoffs were announced, some businesses folded up, VC’s (we @vp_fund kept investing) warned of dark times ahead & restructuring experts predicted the beginning of a “great unwinding” after a decade-long boom.
Five months later while challenges persist, especially with the impact on consumer spending & access to working capital, startups that offer virtual learning, telehealth, e-commerce, streaming, and software for remote workers are seeing a surge in demand.