Dream VC

Remember, in Lagos, you're not stuck in traffic - you're participating in an impromptu city-wide social gathering! 🎉 Fun Fact: Dream VC's Co-Founder Cindy Ai once spent 8 hours in traffic in #Lagos 😂 As part of our "Fellow Skill Share" series, we’re thrilled to spotlight insights from Emmanuel Inyanda, one of our incredible IA program fellows, on "Lagos Like a Pro." Here are some fascinating highlights: 📈 With a staggering 21M+ residents, Lagos is #Africa's most populated urban area. 🗺 Did you know? The name 'Lagos' originates from Portuguese explorers, and it was Lagos long before #Nigeria was even named! 🎰 If Lagos were a country, it would have the 7th/8th largest GDP in Africa, contributing a massive 20% to Nigeria’s total GDP. ⛳ Startup Hub: Home to over 3000 startups, with five #unicorns valued at over $1 billion, including Opay, Andela, Interswitch, Flutterwave, and Jumia. And let’s not forget the #soonicorns like Moniepoint, Paga, and Moove! 🔮 Lagos boasts a thriving startup support ecosystem with numerous funds headquartered there, making it the heartbeat of Africa's tech innovation. So there you have it—Fellow Skill Shares: where we learn, we laugh, and we silently judge that one fellow who still hasn't figured out how to unmute on Zoom. #dreamvc #venturecapital

🚀 Unleashing African Entrepreneurial Potential 🚀 Meet Mark Kleyner, a co-founder of Dream VC, an early-stage investor, and a driving force behind empowering founders and entrepreneurs across Africa and the diaspora. Mark's passion for improving lives through tech is evident in his extensive work with startups in the UK, US, Europe, and Africa. 🌍 🔥 Key Highlights: -The African investment landscape and key trends -The role of diaspora investment in economic development -Unique opportunities in African markets -Impact of political stability and regulations on investment decisions -The importance of local knowledge and partnerships -Resources for staying informed about African investment opportunities Connect with Mark: Dream VC: https://www.dream-vc.com/ #AfricanEntrepreneurship #VentureCapital #DreamVC #EcosystemBuilder #StartupMentor #EmergingMarkets Lanie Denslow (she/her) Varun Gupta Jason Nyeh Paul Kallmes Moussa Dao Marsha Wulff Tony (Antonio) Derossi

⚗️Navigating the Fluid Boundaries of Deep Tech with Vianney Mathonnet 📍At the heart of deep tech lies the fundamental focus on #research and development, where the risks lie not in the startup's ability to grow through funding, but in the inherent uncertainty of whether the #technology being developed will actually work and achieve the desired outcomes. This constant evolution and underlying risk are the hallmarks of the #deeptech sector. #dreamvc #africa #venturecapital

Dream VC #InvestorsPanel #venturecapital for #greentech in Africa 🙌🏾🙌🏾Grateful for last Sunday’s deep dive on funding trends and challenges in Africa 🚀 ⛈️ 🌱 🌍 #CleanTech, #ClimateTech and #EnergyTransition (3 verticals) - Frontiers & Futures Of Funding Across Africa with: ✨Maelis Carraro - Managing Partner at The Catalyst fund https://lnkd.in/dkt2p-WB , a pre-seed VC fund and accelerator backing tech startups that contribute to a climate-resilient future in Africa. ✨Brian Waswani Odhiambo - Partner at Novastar Ventures supporting startups in electric mobility, health tech, agritech, logistics-tech, transport-tech and many more sub-verticals (Portfolio : https://lnkd.in/dags3B9u ) ✨Toukam Ngoufanke - Partner at Persistent which manages/advises over $175m of assets, and has directly made 80 investments in 25 companies. Backed by investors, including HNWI, Family Offices, Corporates, Foundations and DFI’s. 💸The funding gap for Africa VC is huge, let alone for a sub section of it (#ClimateTech), but 📈 😮Time for exit can go up to 8-12 years (and even more) rather than the 4-5 years often considered Moderated by Dream VC🔝 duo Mark Kleyner & Cindy Ai #vcforafrica #techstartups #vcfunding #greentech #techforsdg #oiitid #innovation4sdg www.oiitid.org

🔥 Hot on the heels of our successful first webinar, we're back with round #2! Key Topics 📩 1. South #Africa's Emerging CVC Landscape 2. Technical Blueprint for #CVC Implementation 3. Best Practices in Corporate-Startup Synergy 🗓 Date: Monday, August 12, 2024 ⏰ Time: 12:00-14:00 (GMT +2) 🔗 Link: https://lu.ma/7g3z2b36 Here's what is in store for the session: 1️⃣ An Introduction by Audrey Verhaeghe from Anza Capital; 2️⃣ A Keynote by Sam Mokorosi from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange; 3️⃣ And A Live Virtual Panel Discussion Featuring: • Mark Kleyner from Dream VC • Martin KARANJA, MBA, from GSMA Innovation Fund • Yalena Yang Sun, from InDrive New Ventures • Alex Fenn (Pr.Eng.), from Sibanye-Stillwater • and Davis Cook, from RIIS as moderator Building on the success of our inaugural webinar, which featured insights from 5 experts in the VC, CVC, and Corporate Innovation space, this session promises to deliver actionable strategies for companies looking to integrate venture capital into their growth play book.

🏁 Ever wondered how corporate giants fuel innovation? On August 12th, the #CVC Consortium reveals all the best practices on Corporate #VentureCapital. Join industry leaders as they reveal the secrets to successful CVC strategies. 🔍 What's in store: This is the second webinar in our groundbreaking series. Last time, we heard from 5 experts in the VC, CVC, and Corporate Innovation space. Missed it? Catch up here: https://lnkd.in/dyztfwzH 🚀 Why attend? For the upcoming webinar, we will be offering crucial insights for companies looking to integrate venture capital into their investment and innovation strategies. 🔗 Check the comments for the registration link! ⏰ Mark your calendars: Scheduled for Monday, August 12th, from 12:00 to 14:00 (GMT +2) 🎙️ What to expect: 1. The role of Corporate South Africa in the venture capital space 2. Technical requirements for setting up a Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) arm 3. Best practices for successful CVC operations 👥 Who should tune in: C-suite executives CVC teams Venture capital stakeholders Corporate leaders considering CVC integration Visionary board members focused on driving strategic growth and innovation 🏛️ The webinar is brought to you by a powerhouse consortium, including: Anza Capital is an early-stage tech startup investor in Food Tech, CleanTech, and Digital industries, fuelling innovation and growth. RIIS - Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability is Africa’s largest innovation-focused advisory firm, providing guidance across the entire innovation value chain, from individual firms up to industrial clusters. SA Innovation Summit is Africa’s largest start-up event in #Africa which supports global tech #entrepreneurs at all stages with a local focus. JSE is Africa's largest stock exchange by market capitalization and number of listed companies. 🎟 Whether you're a CVC veteran or just starting to explore this space, this webinar is your ticket to staying ahead of the curve.

🔴 Meet Mutsa Katomeni: Dream VC's Program Manager In a recent sit-down, we caught up with Dream VC's latest addition, Mutsa Katomeni. Fresh-faced but far from inexperienced, Mutsa brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as Program Manager. "What attracted me to #venturecapital, and specifically Dream VC, was the ability to help innovative founders solve Africa's problems," Mutsa explains. Her eyes light up as she continues, "It's about driving our economic growth to a point where Africans can choose the kind of lives they want." 🚀 📕 Mutsa's background is impressive: degrees in Economics and International Business, stints in Management Consulting, and experience as a VC analyst. She's also a Dream VC alumna, giving her a unique perspective on the organization. When asked about the best career advice she's received, Mutsa doesn't miss a beat. "If you can, do what you love!" ❤️ It's clear she's taken this to heart in her new role. But it's not all smooth sailing. Mutsa admits that sometimes playing "bad cop" to fellows can be challenging. Yet, she counters this with her favourite aspect of the job: "Working with great people." 🌍 🌐 Looking ahead, Mutsa's vision for Dream VC is ambitious. "We're building a global community," she states confidently. "We aim to be a global connector into the African VC space." We are super excited to have Mutsa on our team 🔥 #africa #dreamvc

📮 Venture Studios 101 - Insights from the #DreamVC panel This time around we had a diverse group of panellists, including #alumni and international experts, shared their experiences with different #venturestudio models. Here's a deep dive into what we learned: #Venture Studio Models: 🏢 #Corporate Internal Studios:    • Leverage existing assets and balance sheets   • Align with corporate strategy and digital transformation   • Challenge: Balancing corporate priorities with startup agility ⛺ Independent Venture Studios:   • Offer resources without immediate equity cost   • Provide support in development, market validation, and connections   • Act as co-founders on the ground 🏦 Hybrid Models:   • Collaborate with corporates to identify gaps and build solutions   • Combine corporate vision with startup execution ⚡ Key Benefits: • Access to #funding, expertise, and strategic assets • High success rates for studio-backed #startups • Support throughout the startup journey - from ideation to MVP to market entry 🌀 Challenges: • Founder commitment - ensuring entrepreneurs are fully dedicated • Aligning corporate goals with startup innovation • Equity structure and long-term ownership expectations • Fundraising complexities, especially in African markets 🚦 Thought-Provoking Insights: • "Corporate venture builders often offer a clear exit path, which can be valuable for first-time founders." • "Founders must weigh the benefits of resources and support against giving up more equity early on." • "The venture studio model is evolving to fit African contexts, moving beyond Silicon Valley paradigms." 💭 Considerations for Entrepreneurs: 1. Evaluate if the venture studio model aligns with your goals and stage 2. Assess the trade-off between equity and resources provided 3. Understand the long-term implications and exit expectations 4. Consider the value of learning and support, especially for first-time founders The venture studio landscape is dynamic and offers exciting possibilities for building impactful businesses with support. It's not one-size-fits-all, but for many entrepreneurs, it could be the boost needed to turn ideas into successful ventures. #venturecapital #africa #technology

📮 African Market Insights from VC leadership: Dream VC Panel 📍Key Takeaways: 🌍 Global lessons, local application:    - Adapt strategies to Africa's diverse markets   - No one-size-fits-all approach 📈 Sustainable growth over rapid expansion:   - Build solid foundations, not just chasing scale   - Caution against over-reliance on funding boosts $ Beyond the check:   - VCs offer comprehensive support programs   - Lifetime assistance builds investor confidence 📩 Deal-finding tactics:   - Leverage networks, events, and founder referrals   - Collaborative VC ecosystem, not cut-throat competition 🧪 Embrace experimentation:   - Encourage founders to test and learn   - Data-driven decision-making is key 🚀 Challenges and opportunities:   - Regulatory hurdles and need for local capital   - Excitement about innovative solutions and quality founders 🔖 Bottom line: African VC success demands patience, flexibility, and genuine founder support. It's about building great businesses, not just writing checks. #Africa #venturecapital #dreamvc #investor #insights

🌍 Reflecting on the Morocco CVC Unconference in May! 🗓 This year, we collaborated with Dream VC to host a CVC #Unconference at Kalyptus Campus in Marrakech, achieving great success. 🚀 The event was tailored for CVC funds looking to have a significant impact on Africa's tech and investment scene. We brought together a diverse group, including corporations, family offices, venture capitalists, and venture builders, to tackle the core challenges hindering corporate venture capital in Africa. Key Highlights: 📌 Engaging discussions with participants from over 10 different countries 📌 Insightful presentation by Mark Kleyner, Co-founder and Program Director at Dream VC, on Venture Capital, Corporate Venture Capital, and Corporate Innovation 📌 Practical insights from various CVCs in sectors like Chemicals, Media, and Agriculture 📌 Crafting strategies for implementing CVC in theory and practice 📌 Exploring the transformation of OCP Group into Open Innovation and Venture, including a Learning Expedition at UM6P - Mohammed VI Polytechnic University 🏢 Continuing the spirit of community learning and impact, this inaugural Unconference in Morocco is just the beginning. Digital Collective Africa is committed to: 📘 Creating a playbook and sharing lessons on applying CVC in Africa 📅 Hosting regular events on the topic 🤝 Facilitating shared deal flow 🌐 Enhancing interoperability between CVCs & VCs We have officially launched our report, access our CVC report here: (https://lnkd.in/dmfgPnMF) The efforts of Digital Collective Africa and AfricArena Unconference are supported by FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, Robert Haynie, Charnez Jacobs, Digital Africa, Grégoire de Padirac, Ali Mnif, Methys Group, and a collective of over 250 VCs, ESO & Founders networks. 🤩 We extend our sincere gratitude to Claudia Mortimer, Mark Kleyner, Cindy Ai for their support, Yassine LAGHZIOUI and team for their exceptional hospitality, and all participants from the US, Colombia, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, UK, and beyond for their involvement and enthusiasm. Special thanks to Reda LAKHLIFI for all the assistance! 🎖 #Innovation #CVC #Africa #Tech #Investment #Collaboration