The Startup Leap Podcast

In this episode of The Startup Leap, we sit down with Coen, the founder of Tyme Bank, to discuss the incredible journey of building a digital bank in Africa and expanding into Southeast Asia. Coen shares the challenges of creating a bank without traditional elements like paper, cash, or ATMs, and how they achieved profitability in just five years despite raising initial capital from over 250 potential investors. We delve into the importance of partnerships, customer trust, and innovative distribution strategies that have led to serving 17 million customers and onboarding half a million new users every month. Coen also provides insights into navigating regulatory landscapes, making tough decisions in capital-constrained markets, and the role of personal growth in effective leadership. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of digital banking, financial inclusion, and future expansion plans.00:00 The Vision of a Paperless Bank00:19 Overcoming Funding Challenges00:55 Rapid Growth and Expansion01:23 The Importance of Local Partnerships01:51 Introduction to the Interview02:13 Describing Coen's Leadership Style03:28 The Story of Sisyphus and Startup Life05:46 The Origin of Tyme Bank07:30 Building a Digital Bank from Scratch17:57 The Role of Humility in Customer Understanding19:04 Challenges in Retail Partnerships25:46 Expanding into Southeast Asia29:06 Market Expansion Strategies29:38 Balancing Growth and Profitability30:33 Navigating Financial Challenges33:36 Founder Dilemma: Push or Step Back?37:46 Leadership and Ethical Frameworks39:54 Evolving Business Vision45:26 Regulatory Navigation in FinTech49:02 Distribution vs. Product Focus53:27 Future of Finance: Crypto and Blockchain54:49 Time Bank's Future Plans56:10 Quickfire Questions and Wrap-Up🎧 Want to get inside scoop? Join our newsletter on subscribe.thestartupleap.io/subscribeYoutube: https://youtu.be/mjJkn-1bzDk👉 Tell us what you think in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!#DigitalBanking #Fintech #TymeBank #StartupJourney #AfricaTech #Entrepreneurship #FinancialInclusion #AfricanStartups #GlobalExpansion #SouthAfricaTech #StartupLeadership #VCFunding #ScalingStartups #CustomerCentricity #StartupStories

In this special episode we dive into the journeys of two exceptional entrepreneurs: Riham Satti, an Oxford Neuroscientist turned founder of MeVitae an AI startup bringing fairness to the workplace, and Dhiraj Mukherjee, co-founder of Shazam, one of the world's first music recognition apps, 2billion downloads, acquired by Apple for $400m+ in 2018.Hosted by Maria and Yvonne, this episode explores the trials, triumphs, and learnings of these founders. Discover Riham's accidental plunge into entrepreneurship and the strategic decisions that fueled her company's growth. Hear Dhiraj's insights on fundraising during tumultuous times and the importance of relentless drive and vision in successful founders.We also delve into dilemmas faced by founders, such as handling risky partnerships and co-founder challenges. Tune in for valuable advice on balancing personal and professional life, the significance of storytelling, and the power of tech for good.00:00 Introduction and Background01:17 Meet the Founders: Riham and Dhiraj04:33 Riham's (MeVitae) Journey to Entrepreneurship08:19 Dhiraj's (Shazam) Entrepreneurial Path13:22 Fundraising Insights and Strategies16:56 Partnerships and Business Models20:09 Listener Dilemma: Navigating Partnerships21:25 Shazam's Early Days and Apple's Acquisition for $400m+22:59 Co-Founder Dilemma: Trust and Progress24:09 Navigating Co-Founder Relationships26:08 Lessons Learned from Entrepreneurial Journeys29:12 Tech for Good and Identifying Potential32:22 Lightning Round: Misconceptions and Admired Figures34:43 Forming Early Stage Teams and Acquisition Strategies37:41 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs40:05 Future Plans and Closing Remarks46:25 Reflections and Advice for Entrepreneurs🎧 Want to get inside scoop? Join our newsletter on subscribe.thestartupleap.io/subscribeYoutube: https://youtu.be/PjBimaAuiEM👉 Tell us what you think in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!#StartupLeap #Shazam #MeVittae #Entrepreneurship #TechForGood #AIStartup #FounderLessons #RihamSatti #DhirajMukherjee #StartupAdvice #CoFounderTips #FundraisingTips #StartupJourney #SiliconValley #AppleAcquisition #MariaAndYvonne

In this episode, we hear from Dare Okodjou, founder of Onafriq, Africa’s largest digital payments network, formerly MFS Africa. 500 million wallets across 42 countries, over $300m raised in funding. This episode is drenched in depth of experience. Perfect for founders whether early or later in their journey.Dare shares his entrepreneurial journey from working at MTN Group, leading mobile money innovations, to founding Onafriq in 2009 with the vision of making cross-border payments seamless.The conversation delves into the challenges faced in the early days, including navigating work permits and bond loan issues, assembling a team, and raising initial funds. Dare discusses the strategic moves behind the rebranding to Onafriq, key partnerships, the role of culture and people in scaling operations across Africa, and the significance of maintaining focus. He also talks about future opportunities in the mobile money payment space, the role of stable coins, and his personal strategies for managing stress and maintaining work-life balance.00:00 Introduction to Startup Challenges00:40 Meet Dare Okodjou: FinTech Pioneer01:24 The Birth of Onafriq01:42 The Meaning Behind the Name04:16 Early Challenges and Decisions09:35 Building the Team and Raising Capital15:34 Strategic Partnerships and Growth20:46 Defining Moments and Lessons Learned26:39 Scaling Across Diverse Markets27:47 The Importance of Pan-African Coverage29:52 Future of Mobile Money Payments37:05 Acquisitions and Expansion Strategy42:59 Managing a Diverse Team46:25 Reflections and Advice for Entrepreneurs🎧 Don’t miss this important conversation share with any early stage founder or builderYoutube: https://youtu.be/m3fdWDT7Nxk👉 Tell us what you think in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!#DareOkoudjou #Onafriq #FinTechAfrica #MobileMoneyInnovation #PanAfricanPayments #StartupScaling #AfricanEntrepreneurs #DigitalFinanceAfrica #FromMTNtoOnafriq #FinTechLeadership

Join us in this compelling episode as we sit down with Josh Sandler, co-founder of Lori and Founder and CEO of TruTax. Josh shares his transformative journey from building Lori, an on-demand logistics and trucking company in East Africa, to founding TruTax, a venture leveraging AI to optimize tax compliance. Learn about his entrepreneurial lessons, personal growth, and the critical mistakes that shaped his path. Dive into his reflections on team building, culture, and managing intense environments, and discover how meditation and self-care have become cornerstones of his strategy. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or intrigued by the challenges of scaling in emerging markets, this episode offers invaluable insights. 00:00 Introduction and Initial Struggles 00:35 Meet Josh Sandler: Entrepreneurial Journey 02:02 Founding Lori: Challenges and Lessons 04:51 Scaling and Market Dynamics 06:41 Transition to True Tax and Personal Growth 13:34 Building Effective Teams and Company Culture 15:43 Navigating Tax Compliance and Future Plans 18:06 Reflections and Advice for Entrepreneurs 25:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts🎧 Don’t miss this important conversation share with any early stage founder or builder Youtube - https://youtu.be/VBh5pO-Lqjw👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more real world expert startup advice!📩 Have questions? Drop them in the comments – we’d love to keep the conversation going! 💟 What part of this episode did you love? Tell us in the comments!#JoshSandler #LoriSystems #TruTax #EntrepreneurshipJourney #EmergingMarketsStartup #AIinTax #StartupLessons #TeamCultureLeadership #EastAfricaTech #FoundersInsights

Join us for an insightful conversation with Victor, the founder and CEO of Raenest, as he shares his inspiring journey from a self-taught software developer in Nigeria to leading a pioneering Fintech company powering remote African workers, that recently raised a $10M Series A round led by QED.Discover how Victor's background in engineering and his unique perspective on the challenges faced by Africa's remote workforce led to the creation of Raenest, a platform aimed at revolutionizing payments for remote workers. Learn about his experiences in fundraising, building a global product from Africa, and navigating partnerships and compliance to bring his vision to life. Don't miss out on Victor's valuable insights and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts.00:00 Introduction to Upwork's Freelancing Landscape00:15 Building a Startup: From Idea to Execution00:43 Fundraising and Early Challenges01:10 Victor's Background and Early Interests03:29 Learning and Growing in the Tech Industry08:32 Identifying and Solving Payment Problems13:53 Forming the Founding Team16:39 Pivoting the Business Model22:12 Navigating Customer Onboarding and Compliance24:18 Strategic Partnerships with Banks25:01 Investing in Compliance for Longevity25:37 Fundraising Journey and Lessons Learned28:55 Building Relationships with Investors33:48 Future of African Remote Workforce36:15 Challenges and Opportunities for African Founders39:58 Reflecting on the Journey and Advice for Founders🎧 Don’t miss this important conversation share with any early stage founder or builder 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more real world expert startup advice!📩 Have questions? Drop them in the comments – we’d love to keep the conversation going! Want to suggest a topic for us to cover? Tell us in the comments!Youtube: https://youtu.be/a3EqObwEbAU #FinTechAfrica #VictorAlade #Raenest #StartupJourney #RemoteWorkAfrica #AfricanTechFounders #SelfTaughtDeveloper #FundraisingTips #TechEntrepreneurship #BuildInAfrica

Join us in this episode of Startup Leap as we sit down with Ida Tin, co-founder and chairwoman of Clue, a revolutionary women's health app that has empowered over 10 million users worldwide. Ida shares her extraordinary journey from a struggling entrepreneur with no coding skills to building a groundbreaking company in the $60 billion femtech industry. Discover how Ida turned her frustrations with outdated family planning methods into a data-driven digital solution with FDA clearance. Listen to powerful insights on fundraising, product development, and the importance of trusting your instincts. Whether you're a current founder or aspiring entrepreneur, Ida's story is packed with invaluable lessons for anyone looking to make an impact.00:00 Starting from Scratch: The Early Struggles00:43 The Birth of Clue: From Idea to Reality01:38 Ida Tin's Entrepreneurial Journey02:35 The Pivot: From Hardware to Data06:53 Coining Femtech: Creating a New Industry11:55 Fundraising Challenges and Gender Bias17:11 Building Trust and Data Privacy19:24 Experimenting with Monetization Strategies20:42 Early Marketing and Growth Hacks22:14 Listener's Dilemma: Fundraising Challenges23:41 Advice on Building a Compelling Pitch25:14 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape34:17 Transitioning Leadership Roles36:03 Final Reflections and Advice for Founders🎧 Don’t miss this important conversation share with any early stage founder or builder 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more real world expert startup advice!Youtube: https://youtu.be/pxYyTJaJFy0 📩 Have questions? Drop them in the comments – we’d love to keep the conversation going! Want to suggest a topic for us to cover? Tell us in the comments!How To Invest In Femtech: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/idatin_a-guide-on-how-to-invest-in-females-in-femtech-activity-7316211979235282945--S3-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAARbXLsBm3i_dUREcMikL7fFkXq_2yVXEdg#StartupAdvice #IdaTin #Femtech #WomenInTech #FounderStories #Entrepreneurship #DigitalHealth #TechForGood #StartupJourney #ClueApp

In this episode, experienced entrepreneurs share insightful advice they would give to their younger selves. They emphasize trusting your instincts, asking for help, believing in yourself, and the importance of small, achievable goals. Real-world experiences highlight the significance of resilience, execution over strategy, and the importance of maintaining personal well-being while navigating the challenging journey of building a business.00:00 Advice to Younger Self: Startup Insights00:14 Trust Your Instincts and Keep Going00:58 The Reality of Entrepreneurship01:42 Personal Growth and Self-Belief02:43 Strategic Advice for Entrepreneurs03:22 Execution Over Strategy04:00 Embrace the Journey and Enjoy It04:32 Final Thoughts and Long-Term VisionEpisodes featured:Sabrina Del Prete, KORE Labs - https://youtu.be/R5VRd7l5o8UOluwaseyi Sosanya, GravitySketch - https://youtu.be/TgpHw-BW68sElizabeth Rossiello, Aza Finance - https://youtu.be/riGIeRcootURichard Robinson, RobinAI - https://youtu.be/eypanz-h99wOlugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, Flutterwave - https://youtu.be/9H3lpxFbUOgCarmelle Cadet, EmTech - https://youtu.be/xx4l_vnFGNkLouise Hill, GoHenry - https://youtu.be/gpTt9trU2VoSait Cham, Hutch and Pimento - https://youtu.be/rq9L9CCb-akJulia Collins, Planet FWD - https://youtu.be/IafnKPHGTVcMichelle Kennedy, Peanut - https://youtu.be/lQ4i3FU8CzwTimothy Armoo, Fanbytes - https://youtu.be/m2mPhzmiAOsMarta Krupinska, CUR8 - https://youtu.be/5nYtn7CMs0IRaffi Salama, Passionfruit - https://youtu.be/boCHZj8kQOENadia Odunayo, StoryGraph - https://youtu.be/ntwlWbUwG1w🎧 Don’t miss this important conversation share with any early stage founder or builder 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more real world expert startup advice!📩 Have questions? Drop them in the comments – we’d love to keep the conversation going! Youtube - https://youtu.be/CoRq-5aB_L8Want to suggest a topic for us to cover? Tell us in the comments!#EntrepreneurAdvice #StartupJourney #FoundersWisdom #SmallBusiness #Startups #Motivation #BusinessTips #Entrepreneurship #ExecutionOverStrategy #FounderLife #SuccessMindset #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of The Startup Leap, we dive into the fascinating journey of Abu Addae, the founder and CEO of LifeCheq. Abu transitioned from a senior role in financial risk management to creating a disruptive startup focused on personalized financial planning for the South African market.Learn about the challenges he faced, the decisions that shaped LifeCheck, and the eventual pivot from a consumer-centric model to a B2B platform. Abu shares his insights on entrepreneurship, fundraising, dealing with competition, and leveraging AI in the financial advice space. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established founder, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and reflections.00:00 Introduction to the Moat Concept00:34 Guest Introduction: Abu Addae01:11 The Leap from Corporate to Entrepreneurship03:00 The Birth of LifeCheck04:09 Early Challenges and Experiments05:44 Building the Financial Advice Business08:51 Automation and Technology in Financial Planning12:43 Fundraising and Personal Runway18:38 Navigating Consumer and B2B Markets23:07 Navigating a Business Pivot26:51 Challenges During Fundraising28:05 Achieving Profitability and Growth31:18 Leadership Evolution and Future Plans34:12 Regulation and Competition Insights38:34 Impact of AI on Financial Planning42:04 Reflecting on the Journey44:30 Final Thoughts and Resources🎧 Don’t miss this important conversation perfect for professionals in the fintech or startup space looking to take the leap—or for builders and founders at any stage.👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more real world expert startup advice!📩 Have questions? Drop them in the comments – we’d love to keep the conversation going! Want to suggest a topic for us to cover? Tell us in the comments!Youtube: https://youtu.be/l-Mf0eblCIE#StartupJourney #FintechFounder #LifeCheq #Entrepreneurship #SouthAfricaTech

In this episode of Startup Leap, we dive into the critical topic of dilution and how it impacts founders. Learn from the experiences of legends like Steve Jobs and Travis Kalanick, who both lost control of their companies due to dilution. We'll break down the concept with a simple example and offer strategic advice for founders facing dilution dilemmas. Gain insights on how to protect your equity and board control, and explore non-dilutive funding options. This is essential viewing for any startup founder looking to navigate the complexities of startup financing while maintaining control of their vision.00:00 Introduction to Dilution01:00 Real-Life Founder Dilemma02:26 Understanding Dilution with an Example07:43 Steve Jobs' Dilution Story13:21 Protecting Yourself as a Founder16:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts🎧 Don’t miss this important conversation perfect for professionals in the health tech space looking to take the leap or builders or founders.👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more real world expert startup advice! 📩 Have questions? Drop them in the comments – we’d love to keep the conversation going! Want to suggest a topic for us to cover, tell us in the comments! Have a founder dilemma you want us to answer on the show, tell us here-> https://bit.ly/tslquestions🔗 Join The Startup Leap Community: https://subscribe.thestartupleap.io Youtube: https://youtu.be/t43ueos-FJU#StartupFunding #FounderTips #Equity101 #StartupDilution #HealthTechFounders #VentureCapital #StartupAdvice #EntrepreneurMindset

In this insightful episode, Ivan shares his incredible journey from medical school with aspirations of becoming a surgeon, to interning at DeepMind, and ultimately founding a transformative healthcare company, Suvera.Ivan outlines the challenges he faced in shifting from founder to CEO, the importance of unlearning and relearning, and his strategic focus on leveraging data science in medicine. He talks about the crucial decision to pursue primary care in the NHS for early and proactive treatment, navigating complex health systems, the role of AI, and the evolving landscape of chronic disease management.Ivan's story highlights the power of perseverance, the importance of testing assumptions, and the future of healthcare technology. Tune in to gain valuable insights from Ivan's experiences, his approach to building a successful health tech startup, and his vision for the future of healthcare.00:00 From Founder to CEO: The Journey Begins00:28 Ivan's Early Journey: From Medical School to DeepMind02:02 The Intersection of Medicine and Data Science03:32 Building a Healthcare Company: Challenges and Insights05:54 The Birth of Suvera: From Research to Reality09:17 Navigating the Complexities of Healthcare Systems20:08 Forming the Core Team and Early Development21:37 Evolving as a Leader: From Intern to CEO23:10 The Journey to Becoming a CEO23:25 Building Self-Confidence as a Leader24:33 Learning from Other Founders25:00 The Fundraising Experience28:23 Navigating Business Pivots30:36 Scaling and Iterating the Business Model34:26 The Role of AI in Healthcare36:26 Future of Chronic Disease Management38:44 Retrospective Insights and Resources🎧 Don’t miss this important conversation perfect for professionals in the health tech space looking to take the leap or builders or founders.👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more real world expert startup advice!📩 Have questions? Drop them in the comments – we’d love to keep the conversation going! Want to suggest a topic for us to cover, tell us in the comments!Have a founder dilemma you want us to answer on the show, tell us here-> https://bit.ly/tslquestions🔗 Join The Startup Leap Community: https://subscribe.thestartupleap.ioYoutube: https://youtu.be/LqNrLEOqy5Q #HealthTech #StartupJourney #AIinHealthcare #DigitalHealth #ChronicDiseaseManagement #FounderToCEO #HealthcareInnovation #DeepMindAlumni #PrimaryCareRevolution #DataScienceInMedicine

In this episode of the Startup Leap, Yvonne and Maria sit down with Timbo, the founder of OkHi, a startup rethinking smart addressing for emerging markets. Despite 90% of the world being covered by Google Maps, four billion people lack a formal addressing system. Timbo details his journey from working at Google to experiencing firsthand the massive addressing issues in Africa, which led him to launch OkHi. He discusses the challenges of starting a business in a new market, the importance of understanding and validating the problem, and the crucial pivot OkHi made during COVID-19 to target financial services in Nigeria. Timbo also shares insights on building a strong team, defining company culture, and conveying a compelling vision to investors. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about tackling a global problem and the relentless drive to make a meaningful impact.00:00 Introduction to the Addressing Problem00:33 Guest Introduction: Timbo's Mission01:10 The Birth of OkHi01:36 Timbo's Journey and Early Challenges04:29 Validating the Problem and Building the Team06:55 Early Prototyping and Market Insights08:47 Navigating Tech Infrastructure and Challenges11:05 Naming OkHi and Securing the Domain14:21 Securing Initial Funding and Investor Relations20:02 Product Development and Market Adaptation25:02 Balancing Technical Focus and Customer Needs26:18 Transitioning Business Models: From Consumer to Financial Services27:59 Building Strong Customer Relationships29:31 Navigating Investor Relations and Market Creation30:46 The Power of Storytelling in Business32:46 Overcoming Challenges and Pivots35:55 Regulatory Hurdles and Market Validation38:09 Cultivating Company Culture and Values46:22 Key Learnings and Reflections49:16 Future Aspirations and Closing Thoughts🎧 Don’t miss this important conversation perfect for big tech operators looking to learn from Timbo’s journey.👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert startup advice! 📩 Have questions? Drop them in the comments – we’d love to keep the conversation going! Want to suggest a topic for us to cover, tell us in the comments! Have a founder dilemma you want us to answer on the show, tell us here-> https://bit.ly/tslquestions🔗 Join The Startup Leap Community: https://subscribe.thestartupleap.io Youtube: https://youtu.be/emHznIRAxMU#StartupSuccess #Entrepreneurship #GoogleAlumni #TechForGood #FinancialInclusion #AfricanStartups #ProductManagement #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #Fintech

In this episode of Startup Leap, hosts Yvonne and Maria dive deep into critical considerations for startup founders focusing on equity allocation and cap table management. The episode covers insights on how to strategically allocate early equity with co-founders, advisors, and employees, including tips on vesting schedules and cliffs. They share expert advice on raising the right amount of capital at the appropriate time and negotiating beyond just valuation. Featuring the real-life dilemma of a founder dealing with an unequal equity split, the hosts offer practical solutions and emphasize the importance of having clear agreements and structured equity plans. Listen to understand different strategies used by successful founders, backed by examples from industry giants like Mark Zuckerberg.00:00 Introduction to Equity Allocation00:12 Understanding Company Valuation00:24 Founder Dilemmas and Real-Life Examples00:32 Critical Tips for Equity Allocation01:45 Strategic Early Equity Decisions04:55 Vesting Schedules and Cliffs Explained06:54 Employee Share Option Pools (ESOP)07:57 Listener's Co-Founder Dilemma12:29 Raising the Right Amount at the Right Time19:17 Negotiating Terms Beyond Valuation25:19 Bonus Tip: Smart Equity Structuring27:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts🎧 Don’t miss this important conversation for any founder at the start of their startup equity journey. 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert startup advice! 📩 Have questions? Drop them in the comments – we’d love to keep the conversation going! Want to suggest a topic for us to cover, tell us in the comments! Have a founder dilemma you want us to answer on the show, tell us here-> https://bit.ly/tslquestions🔗 Join The Startup Leap Community: https://subscribe.thestartupleap.io Youtube: https://youtu.be/QyrjUhJofpk💡Resources mentioned on the episode:Carta Article on CapTables: https://carta.com/uk/en/learn/startups/equity-management/cap-table/#common-formatsVenture Deals Book:https://amzn.eu/d/gGsNviP#StartupFunding #EquityAllocation #CapTableManagement #VestingSchedules #StartupSuccess #FundraisingTips #ESOP #FounderEquity #NegotiationSkills #StartupGrowth

In this episode, Nadia Odunayo, CEO and founder of The StoryGraph, discusses her journey from investment banking to founding a disruptive book tracking technology company through bootstrapping instead of venture capital. Nadia shares insights into her bootstrapping philosophy, avoiding venture capital, validating product ideas, and building a dedicated user community and building incredibly lean -- with over 4 million users, StoryGraph is only a team of 3! Nadia provides valuable lessons on maintaining founder-product fit, the importance of customer feedback, and sustaining growth without external investments. Learn how her reflective practices and clear vision led to the successful scaling of The StoryGraph.In this episode, we dive into: 00:00 The Journey to Bootstrapping00:30 The StoryGraph Origin Story01:22 Building the Reading App05:39 Validating the Idea10:46 Early Entrepreneurial Ventures16:00 Forming the Right Partnerships23:27 Weekly Reflections and Personal Checkpoints24:24 Balancing Speed and Responsibilities26:59 Navigating Fundraising Decisions31:33 Defining and Measuring Success36:37 Managing Viral Growth and Community Engagement42:05 Reflecting on the Journey and Key Resources🎧 Don’t miss this insightful conversation on building a bootstrapped technology company on your own terms.Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert startup advice! Have questions? Drop them in the comments – we’d love to keep the conversation going! Join The Startup Leap Community: https://subscribe.thestartupleap.io Youtube: https://youtu.be/ntwlWbUwG1w#Startup #Entrepreneur #Business #Podcast #Success #Motivation #TechStartup #Entrepreneurship #StartupSuccess #BusinessGrowth #SaaS #Bootstrapping #Founder

Join hosts Maria and Yvonne on the Startup Leap Podcast as they dive deep into the inspiring journey of Olugbenga Agboola, popularly known as “GB” Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, Africa's leading fintech company making African payments seamless.Discover how Flutterwave scaled to become one of Africa's most valued startups, operating in over 30 markets, processing over $31billion in transactions and serving almost a million businesses. Learn about the challenges of navigating the regulatory landscape, building trust, and creating a seamless payment ecosystem across Africa. Hear personal anecdotes from GB, the importance of resilience, and the role of African entrepreneurs in solving local problems. Gain key insights into the future of payments in Africa and valuable advice for budding entrepreneurs.00:00 Introduction to Flutterwave's Journey00:56 The Vision and Scale of Flutterwave02:16 Challenges and Solutions in African Payments05:34 Building Trust and Regulatory Compliance09:07 Fundraising and Storytelling14:47 Personal Insights and Reflections16:19 Team Allegiances and Soccer Fandom16:36 Travel Tales and Company Leadership17:46 Growing Up in Africa and Career Beginnings18:46 The Drive Behind Entrepreneurship20:44 Building Flutterwave: Challenges and Successes26:19 Future of Payments in Africa27:10 Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursDon’t miss this insightful conversation on African excellence, fintech and building a technology behemoth!Like, comment, and subscribe if you enjoyed the episode.Have questions, thoughts or comments? Drop them in the comments – we’d love to keep the conversation going! Join The Startup Leap Community: https://subscribe.thestartupleap.io Youtube: https://youtu.be/9H3lpxFbUOg #TheStartupLeap #Flutterwave #Africa #Unicorn #Fintech #StartupGrowth #AfricaTech #Leadership #Entrepreneurship

In this episode of the Startup Leap Podcast, hosts Yvonne and Maria explore the five critical mistakes first-time founders often make. Drawing from their extensive experience evaluating and investing in startups across Europe and Africa and previous guest episodes, they share valuable insights on founder-market fit, building with customers, focusing on distribution and sales, strategizing fundraising, and managing co-founder relationships. Additionally, they provide crucial tips on equity management and building a strong startup team. Tune in for actionable advice and real-life stories from renowned founders like Sarah Blakely, Brian Chesky, and more. Don't miss the bonus segment on navigating co-founder dynamics!In this episode, we dive into: 00:00 Introduction to Startup Challenges00:31 Welcome to the Startup Leap Podcast01:04 The Five Biggest Mistakes First-Time Founders Make01:52 Mistake 1: Selecting a Poor Fit Problem05:59 Mistake 2: Building a Complex First Product Without Customer Input09:21 Mistake 3: Giving Away Incorrect Amount of Equity13:07 Mistake 4: Not Focusing on Distribution and Sales15:50 Mistake 5: Letting Ego Get in the Way19:03 Mistake 6: Not Having a Fundraising Strategy23:26 Bonus: Building a Company with a Co-Founder You Don't Know Well26:11 Conclusion and RecapDon’t miss this insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and community-driven fashion!Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert startup advice! Have questions? Drop them in the comments – we’d love to keep the conversation going! Join The Startup Leap Community: https://subscribe.thestartupleap.io Website: www.thestartupleap.ioYouTube: https://youtu.be/HGtqTduaPro#Startup #Technology #Business #Podcast #Entrepreneur #StartupSuccess #TechStartup #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #BusinessGrowth #FounderLessons #ZeroToOne #StartupTips #BuildYourStartup #EntrepreneurMindset