Dream VC

🌴☀️ Sunday greetings from sunny Dubai 🕌🐪 This week, we're not just escaping the Monday blues - we're diving head first into brainstorming, future-crafting, and (let's be honest) some serious shawarma sampling! 🧠🥙 On the agenda: 1. Strategizing on Dream VC's next big moves 2. Bonding over breathtaking views and beach activities 3. Most importantly, we're gearing up for our one of a kind #CVC event ⏰ Haven't checked out our CVC event yet? Here it is : https://lu.ma/qs65g70r Credits for these beautiful images: Martin Maina #venturecapital #dreamvc #startup #networking #africa

Is Investment the BLUE PILL 💊 to Innovation? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🧠 Join Dream VC and GO Ventures for a focused day on Corporate Venture Capital (#CVC) in Dubai. In partnership with tenten100, GITEX, and Expand North Star, this event will offer practical insights from experts with experience across global VC and CVC. 🗓️ Tuesday, September 10th | ⏰ 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM GMT+4 Event Highlights: 💡 Practical insights from 10x investment fund experts 🤝 Networking with Dubai's corporate elite 🔬 In-depth analysis of CVC strategies Key Topics: 🔍 Identifying prime CVC opportunities 🧩 Seamlessly integrating CVC into corporate strategy 📈 Leveraging CVC for innovation and growth 🤝 Crafting winning corporate-startup partnerships 🎙 Here is the list of speakers: Mark Kleyner - Dream VC Martin Maina - Dream VC Kushal Shah - e& capital Rutvik Deepak - GO Ventures This event is an opportunity for all to learn from industry leaders and #network with peers in the Dubai corporate landscape. 🖊️ Register for the event here to find out the location: https://lu.ma/qs65g70r #DreamVC #CVC #CorporateVentureCapital #Dubai #Africa #venturecapital

🤔 Have you ever wondered what it takes to break into the world of venture capital? Or how to build successful relationships in this high-stakes industry? An LIVC panel event hosted by Dream VC brought together seasoned #VC professionals to share their experiences and insights. From diverse backgrounds in #banking, #engineering, and #consulting, these experts offered a candid look at the realities of working in VC. Their stories reveal that while the path to VC may not be straightforward, it's an intellectually stimulating journey filled with opportunities for growth and impact. 🛣 The Diverse Paths to VC One of the most striking takeaways from the panel was the variety of professional backgrounds represented. This diversity highlights an important point for aspiring VCs: 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 "𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭" 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭. ❌ The Realities of VC While the panelists clearly love their work, they didn't shy away from discussing the challenges: ⏰ Long hours and blurred work-life boundaries ⏲ The pressure to deliver results in a young, evolving industry 📮 The need to build and maintain extensive networks 💹 Dealing with the unpredictability of investments ♥ Building Genuine Relationships Despite the challenges, the panelists stressed the importance of building authentic relationships in the industry. They offered practical advice: 🫱🏼🫲🏽 Be intentional about networking, focusing on quality over quantity 🦯 Set boundaries and learn to say no to preserve work-life balance 📟 Leverage technology and delegate tasks when possible 🔍 Find a support system of industry peers who understand the unique pressures of VC 📕 The Value of Mentorship and Continuous Learning A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. The panelists encouraged aspiring VCs to: 🗞 Seek out #internships or fellowships to gain hands-on experience 📝 Take VC-specific courses to understand the industry's nuances ✔ Build relationships with experienced professionals for guidance and support 🧠 Stay curious and embrace the intellectual challenges of the job Breaking into VC and building successful relationships requires dedication, strategic networking, and a willingness to adapt. To know more about how you can break into VC: https://www.dream-vc.com/ #venturecapital #africa #startups

Dearest Readers... as Lady Whistledown would say (a Bridgeton reference 😉) 📕 We are here, straight from #booktok. Scroll through some of these book recommendations from our 2024 cohort members. Let us know what books you would recommend? #dreamvc #africa #venturecapital #books

⚡ You’re not just another face in the crowd—you’re part of the conversation. 📍 In the world of venture capital, knowledge is power, but connections? They’re the keys to the kingdom. At Dream VC, we’ve crafted an experience that doesn’t just teach you the ins and outs of #VC —it immerses you in the very pulse of the industry. 📍 These aren’t just faces; they’re the participants driving tomorrow’s venture capital landscape. Our #LIVC #panels aren’t passive lectures—they’re dynamic, interactive sessions where your questions find real answers. It’s about transforming learning into dialogue, with direct engagement from those who’ve been there, done that. 📍 Our fellows are encouraged to connect with our panelists on #LinkedIn, to start building relationships that will follow you throughout your career. It’s not just about learning; it’s about laying the foundation for future collaborations, mentorships, and perhaps even partnerships. The #venturecapital world is vast, complex, and full of possibilities. At Dream VC, we’re here to help you navigate it, one connection, one conversation, one panel at a time. #africa #strartups 📣 Shoutout to all our super awesome panelists: Loraine Achar-Ogada Peter Wamburu Mathew Saunders Alyune-Blondin Diop Mukami K. Kumau  Jordy K. Lamiaa El Amrani Anta Ndiaye Leslie Ossete Martin Maina Loise Warui Ahmed Hadhri Ahmed Elsherif Damilola Teidi Natalie Vergara Giron  Nicole Mountain Lydia Idem Diego A. Garcia Sarah Ben Younes Precious John-Adeyemi Stephanie Etiaka Brenda Wangari

Learn how CVC can bridge the gap between #venturecapital and public markets, drive innovation, and close the liquidity gap across the region. 💡 Read the full article now! #africa #cvc #corporateventurecapital #dreamvc

🇿🇦 South Africa is a country of unparalleled diversity, from the vibrant streets of #Johannesburg to the scenic beauty of Cape Town's coastline. Yet, beyond its breathtaking landscapes, #SouthAfrica continues to emerge as a leading investment destination in #Africa, driven by a dynamic and resilient startup ecosystem. 📍 Highlights: VC Activity: In 2023, South Africa maintained its position as one of the top ecosystems in Africa, with total start-up funding surpassing $500 million. In the year 2024, till August, over $130M has already been raised across SA in equity funding rounds. 🫱🏼🫲🏽 Diversity: From a gender perspective, South Africa performed above the continental average. Twenty-one (21) funded start-ups (35%) have at least one female co-founder. 💪🏽 Dominant Sectors: South Africa’s start-up ecosystem boasts nearly 24,000 active companies. Other key sectors include edtech, agritech, foodtech, and digital health. Together, these sectors employ over 11,000 people, demonstrating the significant impact of start-ups on the local economy. 💸 The country's top funded business models include: 1. RegTech | KYC 2. Data Center Infrastructure | Data Center Providers 3. Banking Tech | Open Banking | Banking APIs 4. Payments | Business Payments | Diversified 5. AI Infrastructure | Computer Vision | Face Recognition 📊 Stage Focus: South Africa's funding landscape in 2023 showed a healthy distribution across various stages. The country also boasts over 2,760 funded companies and a total of $58.5 billion in funding. 📝 South Africa’s startup ecosystem also witnessed over 55 acquisitions in 2023, reflecting ongoing consolidation within the ecosystem. Key acquisitions included CMC Networks, Prime Financial Markets, SEACOM, Local Knowledge, and 24 Bit Games. Despite challenges like regulatory complexities and tech skills gaps, South Africa continues to be a leader in fintech innovation, with pioneering startups like Luno, Yoco, and Jumo making global waves. 💭 “SA startups may not be paper unicorns, but they are generally robust, sustainable and capital efficient,” says Keet van Zyl, managing partner at Knife Capital told TechCabal. 💬 Future Outlook: With the support of initiatives like the SA SME Fund and the ongoing growth of local accelerators, South Africa's venture capital landscape is poised for continued expansion. These efforts are aimed at further solidifying the country's position as a leader in African innovation. Additionally, Corporate Venture Capital (#CVC) is increasingly seen as a critical lever to propel South Africa's startup ecosystem forward. The country's strong financial and regulatory framework, combined with its robust corporate landscape, positions it as an attractive market for CVCs.

💡 Your Startup Won’t Survive Without AI—But Don’t Expect a Higher Valuation Just for Using It 🔍 Credit Scoring Example: #AI-powered credit scoring was revolutionary, but today, #fintech companies without an AI credit engine are at serious risk of falling behind. 💰 True Value Lies in Uniqueness: To succeed, your startup must offer something genuinely unique. AI alone isn’t enough; your IP must have real value. ⚙ AI and Processor Evolution: AI’s future is tied to processor advancements, but access to cutting-edge hardware is becoming a critical challenge. The real winners will be those who use AI strategically to create lasting #impact. #dreamvc #africa #venturecapital

🌍 Is Africa Really Ready for Deep Tech Investment? As we explore #deeptech and R&D in #Africa, it's crucial to recognize that the continent may require preparation for certain advancements. To succeed, strategic approaches are essential. Vianney Mathonnet shares his insights from the frontlines. 🔬 Specialized Expertise is Key: Navigating deep tech requires experts across various fields, especially as Africa is still developing in many areas. 📊 Broaden Your Thesis: Focusing solely on niche sectors like biotech can limit opportunities in Africa. Expanding to a wider range of technologies is vital. 🌐 Leverage a Global Network: A network of experts from within and outside Africa ensures that new technologies are globally viable. 💡 Stay Ahead with Global Insights: International collaboration provides access to advanced research, helping to avoid investments in soon-to-be-obsolete technologies. Broadening our horizons and building diverse networks is key to sustainable growth in Africa's deep tech ecosystem. #dreamvc #venturecapital #cvc

⏸ As we reach the midpoint of our Launch into #VC program, we're taking a moment to pause and reflect. 🔻 One of our current LIVC 2024 fellows, Alejandro Giribás Makki shares insights on his journey so far. #dreamvc #venturecapital #africa #fellowship