Yewande Adewusi presented on the panel with Southern African Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (SAVCA) Esther Ndeti made some great points about her contribution It's critical we have more data and rigorous approach in growing and supporting growth SMEs and Entrepreneurs in Africa. We are particularly interested in getting more data around climate resilience, digital transformation and how gender diversity can drive impact and benefits for all #everydayalitheia #climateresilienceafrica #digitaltransformationafrica #genderlensinvestmentafrica
Had a great time speaking on a panel at the Southern African Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (SAVCA) VC Conference yesterday, alongside Yewande Adewusi (Alitheia Capital), Daryn Munnik (Launch Africa Ventures) and Kiara Suttner-Tromp (HAVAÍC). One of the closing questions asked by our lovely moderator, Natalie Kolbe (Norrsken22) really stuck with me: 'What sets the excellent founders apart from those underperforming?' Yewande made a fantastic point about data-driven decisions and agility. I absolutely agreed with her, and chimed in by adding some colour to her response, drawing from my own experience watching F1 for the first time a few weeks ago: great #founders are like elite drivers—they know when to hit the brakes, accelerate, and take a pit stop. It’s not just about speed; it’s about navigating market turns with precision. The reality is, the founders who thrive are the ones who treat their original idea like a roadmap, not a GPS. They’re willing to reroute when necessary, understanding that success isn’t about sticking rigidly to a plan but making smart adjustments along the way. And, as Natalie rightly pointed out in conclusion, let’s not forget the importance of a great #team in the pit lane—because no founder wins the race alone! In venture, resilience matters, but strategic flexibility and knowing when to recalibrate? That’s what separates the winners from the rest. #VentureCapital #Funding #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Investing #VC #SAVCA #Africa cc Tshepiso Kobile