Top 10 African Startups to Watch in 2026: Fintech, AI & Climate Leaders
After a year of closely tracking Africa’s startup ecosystem through cycles of exuberance, correction and renewal, one conclusion is
• 7 min read
Venture Capital
The 'Founder’s Test': How VCs Assess Startup Founders
VCs tend to apply a broader lens when assessing founders. In reality, early-stage investments are largely about people, not just ideas.
• 6 min read
6 min read
When it comes to pitching to investors, founders typically focus on their pitch decks, business models and financial projections. While these elements are crucial, venture capitalists (VCs) are increasingly placing equal, if not greater, emphasis on something else: the founders themselves.
This is where the ‘Founder’s Test’ comes in. An informal but critical framework investors use to assess whether a founder is worth backing, not just financially, but as a long-term business partner.
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