ACCELERATING THE FUTURE
Over the past few months, countries and regions have witnessed a global lockdown. While we were forced to stay home, we’ve decided to host eight webinars that would help the startup ecosystem and its key players take part in rebuilding it. This was done mainly through regional and global interviews with renowned investors & entrepreneurs, who have shed light on unique aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its regional & global impact on startups. We’ve decided to share them with you in a bite-sized article, with the eight best tips from our 8 #StartSmart Webinars.
“The pandemic heightens the need for inclusive services & products.” — Christopher Schroeder, a Global Investor
As we’ve all seen, this pandemic and the move to online communication, transactions, consultation, etc… has deepened the need for our economies to be inclusive of those who don’t have access to such technologies. Entrepreneurs should cease this opportunity to create solutions that bring inclusivity to a new level, Chris said.
Read more about our 1st Webinar here: “How to Take Off Your Startup During COVID-19 Outbreak”
“Startups In the Frontier Ecosystems Need to Think Globally.” — Alexandre (Alex) Lazarow, a global investor and author of “Out-Innovate.”
Alex elaborated that startups in growing economies need to think of how their startup can expand globally or regionally when they are just starting out. It is important to create a solution that could be adapted to different cultures and economies because it will facilitate your growth. He highlighted that most of today’s unicorns had going global at their core from the very beginning. Entrepreneurs need to think about how you can build teams that communicate efficiently across the world, and how they can build that global muscle from day one. Also, the pandemic is enabling entrepreneurs to reach out to global investors without the need to travel. This is a chance for them to raise money and approach remote investors.
Read more about our 2nd Webinar here: “How To Out-Innovate.”
“You don’t need to be in silicon valley to do something great.” — Amira Yahyaoui, MOS’ Founder
An entrepreneur should first and foremost be building for the experience, the journey, and changing people’s lives. Entrepreneurs need to realise that wherever they are in the world, there are problems that require innovative solutions, which will ultimately change people’s lives, hence, “you don’t need to be in silicon valley to do something great,” Amira said. She added” “the only interesting thing about silicon valley is the technology and the people,” and if you can read books, watch webinars, and listen to podcasts coming from the silicon valley, you can start anywhere.
Read more about our 3rd Webinar here: “Building a startup in Silicon Valley”
“Send consistent updates.” — Mike Preuss, Co-founder & CEO of Visible.vc
Mike said that in one of their surveys, they have discovered that founders are more likely to get investments if they are consistent with their reports to investors, in fact it increases their chances by %300. During the COVID-19, investors will likely be looking at startups that have a record of maintaining their reports. Most founders can’t raise because they don’t update investors regularly.
Read more about our 4th Webinar here: “Impactful Communication with Investors During COVID-19”
“If you want to see long term, positive change, you need to commit yourself to positive change.” — Roxanne Varza, Director of Station F
While the pandemic has held most of us hostage in our homes, it has provided an opportunity for the environment to get better. If we want it to keep getting better, we need to find solutions to do that, while still living our normal lives. COVID-19, on the good side of things, has provided us with a lot of opportunities that need to be explored by our aspiring entrepreneurs.
Read more about our 5th Webinar here: “Opportunities and Lessons Learned”
“Ask your customers/clients what they are doing, not what they need.” — Patrick Riley, CEO of the Global Accelerators Network (GAN)
Lots of businesses of varying sizes have changed their business models overnight to cope with pandemic, and all of them are dealing with new challenges. If you can ask them what they are doing, know the services they are offering, you can most definitely know & assume their challenges/problems, and develop/adapt your offerings to help them. Patrick added, “Your solution must always be relevant.” You can research different segments and find your “sweet spot,” and start developing a prototype or even launch a startup that is revolutionary, but no one wants because it is not relevant. When you start a research to create a product/service, think of how long it can stay relevant to people and businesses.
Read more about our 6th Webinar here: “Seed-stage Startups: A Global View”
“Find the right balance between human clustering and individual functions.” — Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner of Nuwa Capital
Some tasks will require human clustering to be finished effectively, like creating a new innovative product/service. However, there will be tasks that require individual efforts, which could be done more productively from home. Startups need to find that balance between taking their jobs home, and clustering to innovate. Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner of Nuwa Capital
Read more about our 7th Webinar here: “Building In the New Normal”
“Young entrepreneurs who have ideas should move ahead & do them.” — Ferid Belhaj, Vice President of World Bank MENA
Young entrepreneurs in MENA need to have the ambition to go way beyond what they think is possible because new tech must spread everywhere, Ferid said. He also noted that the market will judge the entrepreneurs’ projects, and whether it can absorb their products or not. Entrepreneurs need to do what they feel will work, and see for themselves if it actually solves the problem.
Read more about our 8th Webinar here: “The World Is A Village: World Bank Response to Covid-19”
The good thing about all these tips is that they are effective during the pandemic, post-pandemic, and in the face of any other economic recession. Make sure to utilise them to the best of your ability, and perhaps share it with your friends?