Tips for Navigating Global Startup Ecosystems

🚨 After 12 years doing business across Africa — in energy, construction, deeptech — and coaching dozens of startups over the last 5... Let me be honest: Most startup support programs in Africa are broken. We keep pushing the same generic approach: 🧾 Business plan templates 📊 One-size-fits-all growth targets 👨🏫 Coaches who’ve never run a business — let alone in Africa Meanwhile, the real needs of African entrepreneurs are being ignored. Here’s what I’ve learned from being on the ground in 7+ countries: The biggest challenge is not how to start — it’s how to expand, scale, and exit. Startups here need: Legal + accounting support across borders Partner intros to break into new markets Hands-on, surgical guidance — not another pitch deck Real testing time to find the model that fits this continent But too many accelerators want “30% MoM growth.” Let me tell you something: that’s not how great African companies are built. Great companies here? ⏳ They tested 🔁 They adapted 🎯 They found their own model ...and then they scaled. What we need now are: ✔️ Long-term venture studios with skin in the game ✔️ Coaches who’ve actually built something ✔️ Programs that follow entrepreneurs from seed to exit ✔️ Systems that hold accelerators accountable — not for events, but outcomes Ask yourself: Are you applying to a program that just trains you — or one that’s truly building with you? And to my fellow builders: Stop celebrating the number of people you train. Start showing us the ones you took all the way to a successful exit. Because that’s what changes ecosystems. 💬 Agree? Disagree? Drop your thoughts. Let’s have the real conversation. #AfricanStartups #VentureStudios #StartupSupport #EcosystemBuilding #EntrepreneurshipInAfrica #AcceleratorReform #RealTalk #GrowthInAfrica #CoachNotConsultant

In the last 4 years, I’ve helped dozens of European startups expand sales into the US. I’ve learned that while pushing hard, you must take the time for the right preparation work. The mix is the key to success. Here are 3 ways to get this balance right: 1. Don't’ jump into selling - do the discovery work first. The urge is strong to use every customer meeting to try and make a sale right away. This invariably leads to one objection frustration after another. Don’t get ahead of yourself: Do the customer discovery groundwork to uncover every possible objection. Then, find solutions for all of them. Only now are you ready to sell to US customers while confidently knowing that you have an answer to every possible “No”! 2. Don’t just follow expert opinions or the hunches of your first hires. We see again and again that their past experiences do not guarantee your future success. Accept their inputs as hypotheses to be validated with potential customers. Customer voices are the only gold currency! 3. Don’t just emulate your American competitors. You will never beat them at their own game. These incumbents have had decades to dig in and develop their unique business systems. Customers will never accept you as them. Use your foreign origin as a strength to build your own unique positioning. Celebrate being different, and intrigue your US customers to get their interest! Take the time you need. Be methodical. Systematic customer discovery is time well spent. Remove every possible obstacle to a sale first. And only then switch to selling mode. P.S: Here’s a pic of my visit to the Swiss startup days 2024. A day full of methodical inputs for companies that want to grow

After my recent visit to India, I connected with several startup founders and heard stories of success, failure, and key lessons from navigating the country's dynamic startup ecosystem. As India’s generative AI ecosystem grows, with over 70 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 $580 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱, several recurring challenges emerged during my conversations: value creation, the high costs of AI infrastructure, building sustainable moats, and finding the right talent. The startups that successfully navigate these hurdles tend to focus on a few key strategies: 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 It’s not just about amassing vast amounts of data; it’s about unlocking its true potential. Startups that take control of localized data and solve data-related challenges early on gain a significant edge. Understanding local nuances, structuring data effectively, and using it in ways competitors cannot create a strong competitive advantage. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗮𝘁 Successful startups tackle complex challenges, like regulated industries and underserved markets, that aren't obvious targets. While these markets may not provide immediate returns, they offer opportunities to create lasting value, creating barriers that make it difficult for competitors to catch up. 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 India's market presents its own set of challenges. Startups that design products specifically for the Indian ecosystem are more likely to succeed. While there’s pressure to target global or Western markets, true success often comes from tailoring solutions to India's unique cultural, social, and economic realities. 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 India has a wealth of engineering talent, but the challenge is twofold: finding AI experts to build a strong foundation and keeping the team engaged over the long term. High churn rates are common, but fostering a culture of belonging, empowerment, and encouraging risk-taking is key to retaining top talent. 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 India’s regulatory and startup ecosystem has matured significantly, offering immense growth opportunities. Successful startups capitalize on government programs, incubators, and the broader ecosystem. More importantly, they learn from founders who have failed before. Failure offers invaluable lessons, and tapping into these insights helps new startups avoid common pitfalls and chart their path to success. Source: https://lnkd.in/g-MvGMwv