UpStartVC Podcast Ep005 - SmartWage & Simon Ellis

UpStartVC Podcast Ep008 - Zanele Matome & Welo

Hi everyone! Welcome to the UpStartVC Podcast, a podcast where we talk to entrepreneurs about the things they’re building and investors about the entrepreneurs they’re backing. It is hosted by Kamo Motaung [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamohelo-m/] an entrepreneur and BCom Honours Investment Management graduate; and, Daryn Munnik [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryn-munnik/], currently pursuing a Masters in Development Finance, with research and support from Vuyo Mzini, Tshepo Mashele, Michael Ncube and Rishabh Krishna. Our background research note is in the link at the end, please subscribe to have access to all of our future notes and episodes. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/the-upstartvc-podcast/id1545386794], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7xpJPYuZmE5FvCiMVzCGzV?si=jpMS2kFDRPSvbXtd8esn3Q], and Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hcGkuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tL2ZlZWQvcG9kY2FzdC8yNDAwODcucnNz?sa=X&ved=0CAIQ9sEGahcKEwiAvPmgl9DuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQLA]. This week we chat with Zanele Matome on her mission to deliver health to the doorstep of an overlooked segment of the market through her startup Welo [https://www.welo.co.za/]. The themes we discuss are: * Zanele’s Entrepreneurship Journey. * The power of referrals. * Client acquisition during Covid. * Welo’s growth hacking strategy, business model and pricing strategy. * Building in public and Welo’s personal touch. * Welo’s fundraising journey. * What Zanele would put on a billboard. We have also put together a background research note on Welo, it is available here: Welo research note [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GZZF0nLABt6ZhC5jrpdDWQov5XqOBD3w/view?usp=sharing] If you enjoyed listening to the podcast or reading the note, we’d really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts or if you share your thoughts here. Cheers The UpStartVC Team This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theupstartvcpodcast.substack.com [https://theupstartvcpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

UpStartVC Podcast Ep007 - Jesse Randall & Sweater

Hi everyone! Welcome to the UpStartVC Podcast, a podcast where we talk to entrepreneurs about the things they’re building and investors about the entrepreneurs they’re backing. It is hosted by Kamo Motaung [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamohelo-m/] an entrepreneur and BCom Honours Investment Management graduate; and, Daryn Munnik [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryn-munnik/], currently pursuing a Masters in Development Finance, with research and support from Vuyo Mzini. Our background research note is in the link at the end, please subscribe to have access to all of our future notes and episodes. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/the-upstartvc-podcast/id1545386794], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7xpJPYuZmE5FvCiMVzCGzV?si=jpMS2kFDRPSvbXtd8esn3Q], and Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hcGkuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tL2ZlZWQvcG9kY2FzdC8yNDAwODcucnNz?sa=X&ved=0CAIQ9sEGahcKEwiAvPmgl9DuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQLA]. This week we chat with Jesse Randall of Sweater [https://www.sweaterventures.com/] on his mission to change the US Venture Capital (VC) industry by providing retail investors the opportunity to invest in VC as an asset class. The themes we discuss are: * Why Sweater was created. * How investors can use empathy as a tool for success. * The role of intuition and bias in investment decisions. * Risk misalignment between founders and investors. * Navigating difficult conversations between co-founders. We have also put together a background research note on Sweater, it is available here: Sweater Ventures research note [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tr7D3BSBlBx0VK7hLicBDjXVJYF7Lpt7/view?usp=sharing] If you enjoyed listening to the podcast or reading the note, we’d really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts or if you share your thoughts here. Cheers Kamo & Daryn & Vuyo This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theupstartvcpodcast.substack.com [https://theupstartvcpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

UpStartVC Podcast Ep006 - Khomotso Grace Legodi & Diversity

Hi everyone! Welcome to the UpStartVC Podcast, a podcast where we talk to entrepreneurs about the things they’re building and investors about the entrepreneurs they’re backing. It is hosted by Kamo Motaung [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamohelo-m/] an entrepreneur and VC intern at Hlayisani Capital; and, Daryn Munnik [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryn-munnik/], a CFA charterholder currently pursuing a Masters in Development Finance, with research and support from Vuyo Mzini [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vuyo-angoma-mzini-02a84521/]. Our background research note is in the link at the end. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/the-upstartvc-podcast/id1545386794], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7xpJPYuZmE5FvCiMVzCGzV?si=jpMS2kFDRPSvbXtd8esn3Q], and Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hcGkuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tL2ZlZWQvcG9kY2FzdC8yNDAwODcucnNz?sa=X&ved=0CAIQ9sEGahcKEwiAvPmgl9DuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQLA]. This week we chat with Khomotso Grace Legodi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/khomotso-grace-legodi-64038b1a/], the Director Country Manager for Plug and Play Tech Center [https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com] (“PnP”) in South Africa. PnP is a Silicon Valley headquartered Venture Capital, Startup Business Development Accelerator, and Corporate Innovation platform with 35+ offices in 18 countries across 5 continents. She spent time working at its headquarters in Sunnyvale, California prior to returning to Johannesburg, and is responsible for leading PnP’s operations in South Africa. Khomotso has diverse investment banking experience in Capital Markets, Sell-side Equity Research, Mergers & Acquisitions, Structured Equity Financing, and Gender-lens Impact investing! She is from Lebowakgomo, Limpopo, South Africa and has 3 older brothers. The themes we discuss are: * Khomotso’s background * How she was accepted at the University of Cape Town * The value of mentorship * Plug & Play and her role at the firm * Diversity riders in term sheets * Advice to young black females * What Khomotso would do with $100k We have also put together a background research note on Khomotso and gender diversity, it is available here: Khomotso Grace Legodi & Diversity [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gbtfkgf71wIbEriiilnNEK3TRtm0AnBE/view?usp=sharing] If you enjoyed listening to the podcast or reading the note, we’d really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts or if you share your thoughts here. Cheers Kamo & Daryn & Vuyo This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theupstartvcpodcast.substack.com [https://theupstartvcpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

UpStartVC Podcast Ep005 - SmartWage & Simon Ellis

Hi everyone! Welcome to the UpStartVC Podcast, a podcast where we talk to entrepreneurs about the things they’re building and investors about the entrepreneurs they’re backing. It is hosted by Kamo Motaung [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamohelo-m/] an entrepreneur and VC intern at Hlayisani Capital; and, Daryn Munnik [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryn-munnik/], a CFA charterholder currently pursuing a Masters in Development Finance, with research and support from Vuyo Mzini [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vuyo-angoma-mzini-02a84521/]. Our background research note is in the link at the end. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/the-upstartvc-podcast/id1545386794], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7xpJPYuZmE5FvCiMVzCGzV?si=jpMS2kFDRPSvbXtd8esn3Q], and Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hcGkuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tL2ZlZWQvcG9kY2FzdC8yNDAwODcucnNz?sa=X&ved=0CAIQ9sEGahcKEwiAvPmgl9DuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQLA]. This week we chat with Simon Ellis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-ellis-2aa14a8b/] of SmartWage [https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartwage/] on eradicating the poverty cycle through access to earned wages and financial education. SmartWage is a platform that provides the opportunity for individuals to access a portion of their salary (based on days actually worked), in advance of their salary payment date. They do this through their proprietary wage access software. The themes we discuss are: * Simon’s Journey into Entrepreneurship. * How to start a fintech as a non-technical founder. * Tools to overcome Imposter Syndrome. * How to build and maintain relationships with Investors. * What he’d do differently if he had to start all over again. * How he’d spend $100k. We have also put together a background research note on SmartWage, it is available here: SmartWage [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lcaIqGsRgtlhcMVNgA6bDwCXLxGfWc85/view?usp=sharing] If you enjoyed listening to the podcast or reading the note, we’d really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts or if you share your thoughts here. Cheers Kamo & Daryn & Vuyo This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theupstartvcpodcast.substack.com [https://theupstartvcpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

UpStartVC Podcast Ep004 - Grégoire de Padirac & Orange Ventures

Hi everyone! Welcome to the UpStartVC Podcast, a podcast where we talk to entrepreneurs about the things they’re building and investors about the entrepreneurs they’re backing. It is hosted by Kamo Motaung [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamohelo-m/] an entrepreneur and BCom Honours Investment Management graduate; and, Daryn Munnik [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryn-munnik/], a CFA charterholder currently pursuing a Masters in Development Finance, with research and support from Vuyo Mzini. Our background research note is in the link at the end. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/the-upstartvc-podcast/id1545386794], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7xpJPYuZmE5FvCiMVzCGzV?si=jpMS2kFDRPSvbXtd8esn3Q], and Google Podcasts [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hcGkuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tL2ZlZWQvcG9kY2FzdC8yNDAwODcucnNz?sa=X&ved=0CAIQ9sEGahcKEwiAvPmgl9DuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQLA]. This week we chat to Grégoire de Padirac [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gdepadirac/] of Orange Ventures [https://ventures.orange.com/] on corporate VC fund structures, investing during COVID-19, and hear his thoughts on what founders should consider when raising financing in Africa. Grégoire is a VC principal at Orange and is currently based in Senegal. Orange Ventures is a venture fund of Orange group with €350m under management, investing in areas of Orange expertise and beyond, financing startups with the ambition to imagine, design, and develop innovative solutions, disruptive technologies, and business models of tomorrow The themes we discuss are: * Grégoire’s journey to breaking into VC. * What a typical day looks like for a VC Principal. * Orange Ventures fund structure. * Investing, fundraising, and due diligence during COVID-19 * What Orange Ventures looks for in startups they back. * Grégoire’s advice to entrepreneurs raising financing in Africa We have also put together a background research note on Orange Ventures, it is available here: Orange ventures research note [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JXV21PHUXOctJMcaEDQUoZSBgaSTv2Xy/view?usp=sharing] If you enjoyed listening to the podcast or reading the note, we’d really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts or if you share your thoughts here. Cheers Kamo & Daryn & Vuyo This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theupstartvcpodcast.substack.com [https://theupstartvcpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]