The Next Frontier

Brian Kearney and Nicole Dunn

Nicole Dunn and Brian Kearney, hosts of The Next Frontier Podcast, interview founders and investors in Africa, from Pre-Seed to Unicorn stage entrepreneurs and angels to professional VCs. The podcast aims to shine a light on the dynamic startup ecosystem and bring equitable funding to entrepreneurs that are tackling the most difficult problems on Earth. Their goal is to shift the narrative on startup investing in emerging markets and help grow the African yearly VC inflows to $20 billion. New episodes drop every Thursday in your favorite podcast app and at nextfrontierpod.com. read less

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Ep #11: Risk, Resilience, and Innovation in the African Venture Landscape with Daniel Novitzkas

Ep #11: Risk, Resilience, and Innovation in the African Venture Landscape with Daniel Novitzkas

In today's episode, we sat down with Daniel Novitzkas, co-founder of Specno. Daniel shares insights into the unique challenges and opportunities of building startups in Africa. He reflects on the success of small teams compared to larger ones–emphasizing the importance of high-performance culture and adaptability, and the need to crack the code of maintaining it as a business scales.Daniel also shares his thoughts on the realities of building a startup in South Africa, his journey of growing Specno from zero to 1 million rand in annual recurring revenue (ARR) in the first year, and how he navigates challenges and leverages opportunities along the way.The episode also explores the intersection of risk-taking and entrepreneurship, with Daniel sharing personal anecdotes about his mindset and approach to risk. He highlights the role of support networks and mentorship in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in South Africa and the potential for startups to leverage corporate partnerships for growth.Visit nextfrontierpod.com for full show notes.

Episodes

Ep #11: Risk, Resilience, and Innovation in the African Venture Landscape with Daniel Novitzkas

Ep #11: Risk, Resilience, and Innovation in the African Venture Landscape with Daniel Novitzkas

In today's episode, we sat down with Daniel Novitzkas, co-founder of Specno. Daniel shares insights into the unique challenges and opportunities of building startups in Africa. He reflects on the success of small teams compared to larger ones–emphasizing the importance of high-performance culture and adaptability, and the need to crack the code of maintaining it as a business scales.Daniel also shares his thoughts on the realities of building a startup in South Africa, his journey of growing Specno from zero to 1 million rand in annual recurring revenue (ARR) in the first year, and how he navigates challenges and leverages opportunities along the way.The episode also explores the intersection of risk-taking and entrepreneurship, with Daniel sharing personal anecdotes about his mindset and approach to risk. He highlights the role of support networks and mentorship in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in South Africa and the potential for startups to leverage corporate partnerships for growth.Visit nextfrontierpod.com for full show notes.

Ep #10: From Vision to Reality: Redefining Investment Opportunities in Africa with Mitchan Adams

Ep #10: From Vision to Reality: Redefining Investment Opportunities in Africa with Mitchan Adams

In this episode, guest Mitchan Adams, an investor and venture builder who co-founded Ozow, shares his inspiring journey, his goal of transforming the startup ecosystem in South Africa through his venture builder model, and how his initial plan to leave the country led him to recognize the need for change within South Africa's business landscape.Listen as Mitchan talks about his vision for a venture builder that focuses on incubating and accelerating startups to address unemployment and lack of support for entrepreneurs, and his approach to bridge this gap. Find out how Mitchan aims to empower individuals to participate in the growth of South Africa's startup ecosystem, including the concept of an end-to-end pipeline as part of his strategy.Visit nextfrontierpod.com for full show notes.

Ep #09: Challenges and Opportunities in African VC

Ep #09: Challenges and Opportunities in African VC

In today’s episode, we talk about venture capital in Africa and how it differs from more established markets. We explore the need for a tailored approach to startup funding on the continent, the challenges of raising capital in Africa, the role of investors in supporting local entrepreneurs, and the potential for growth and innovation in African startups. Learn the impact of factors such as currency depreciation, regulatory uncertainty, and the cultural attitude toward equity compensation on the startup ecosystem.We also touch on the evolving perception of African startups by international investors and strategies for overcoming biases and building credibility in fundraising efforts, providing some valuable insights, especially for entrepreneurs navigating the African startup landscape.Visit nextfrontierpod.com for full show notes.

Ep #08: Blockchain Solutions for Real Estate Transparency in Africa with Nnamdi Uba

Ep #08: Blockchain Solutions for Real Estate Transparency in Africa with Nnamdi Uba

Today’s guest is Nnamdi Uba, Co-Founder/CEO at Systemap by HouseAfrica. Nnamdi's entrepreneurial journey led him to leveraging blockchain technology to tackle land and property titling issues in Africa. Fueled by his passion for innovation and social impact, he joins the podcast to share the unique approach he is taking to address housing challenges on the continent.Listen in as Nnamdi breaks down the intersection of technology and real estate in Africa, examining the growing adoption of blockchain and crypto and its transformative potential. You’ll hear about the meticulous due diligence processes Nnamdi has implemented to ensure the legitimacy of land listings on his platform and learn how HouseAfrica's software is revolutionizing property transactions.Visit nextfrontierpod.com for full show notes.

Ep #07: Pioneering Venture Capital in Africa and Embracing Global Opportunity with Andrea Böhmert

Ep #07: Pioneering Venture Capital in Africa and Embracing Global Opportunity with Andrea Böhmert

Andrea Böhmert is a seasoned investor and High-Growth Enthusiast who has reshaped the narrative of venture capital in Africa. In this episode, Andrea shares her unconventional journey and the challenges she faced in establishing venture capital as a viable asset class in South Africa. From overcoming local investor reluctance to embracing failure as a catalyst for growth, Andrea shares lessons learned from her experiences navigating the dynamic funding landscape. With a keen eye for identifying opportunities and a steadfast belief in African businesses' global competitiveness, she emphasizes the importance of authenticity and resilience in the entrepreneurial journey.Visit nextfrontierpod.com for full show notes.

Ep #06: Grassroots Engagement for Scaling Your Start-up in Africa with Daniel Yu

Ep #06: Grassroots Engagement for Scaling Your Start-up in Africa with Daniel Yu

Join Daniel Yu, Founder & CEO of Wasoko, as he shares the gripping narrative behind his unconventional journey from university to African entrepreneurship. In this episode, Daniel dives into the motivations driving his decision to pivot towards addressing the critical needs of African markets, emphasizing the importance of personal connections and grassroots engagement. Listen in as he candidly discusses the challenges he faced, including navigating skepticism and the unique dynamics of scaling a startup in Africa. From insights into fundraising strategies to the strategic merger with MaxAB, Daniel offers reflections on the realities and opportunities of African entrepreneurship.Visit nextfrontierpod.com for full show notes.

Ep #05: Could Blockchain Be the Answer to Startup Success in Africa? with Greg Schneider

Ep #05: Could Blockchain Be the Answer to Startup Success in Africa? with Greg Schneider

Could blockchain be revolutionizing startups in Africa? Greg Schneider, COO at Empowa, dives deep into this topic, revealing the hurdles and opportunities in the continent's burgeoning entrepreneurial landscape. Empowa's mission to empower African families with climate-smart homes presents a unique approach to property development through decentralized financing. Discover why Greg chose the DeFi route, how blockchain enhances transparency, and the complexities of fundraising in Europe for African ventures. From navigating investor perceptions to the realities of entrepreneurship, Greg shares his knowledge on building a successful startup in Africa. You will learn about the future of decentralized financing, emerging trends in startup funding, and the personal experiences that shape an entrepreneur's path. Visit nextfrontierpod.com for full show notes.

Ep #04: Pioneering Fintech and Uncharted Horizons in Africa with Dan Kleinbaum

Ep #04: Pioneering Fintech and Uncharted Horizons in Africa with Dan Kleinbaum

Discover the untold story of Dan Kleinbaum, CEO of Buoy, who pioneered fintech in emerging markets before Africa's startup ecosystem took shape. Dan joins the show today to share the challenges and triumphs of navigating uncharted territory, reflecting on the privilege and pain of entrepreneurship. Listen in as Dan opens up about his journey from co-founding Beyonic in Uganda to its acquisition by MFS Africa, as well as the knowledge he gained on pitching, business-building, and finding balance in the high-stakes world of startups. You’ll learn the unique dynamics of entrepreneurship in Africa, Dan's advice for aspiring founders, and more.Visit nextfrontierpod.com for full show notes.

Ep #03: Navigating Startup Challenges and Opportunities in Africa

Ep #03: Navigating Startup Challenges and Opportunities in Africa

Ever wondered what it takes to navigate the dynamic startup ecosystem in Africa? In this episode, we explore the intricacies of building successful startups in African markets with Leah Nduati, who transitioned from trade facilitation to startup acceleration in Africa, focusing on tech startups and growth-stage companies.Listen in as we dive into the vital elements for startup success in Africa, as well as the importance of sustainable business models and the significance of understanding local markets. We also discuss some of the key trends shaping African startups, from tech enablement to regional expansion, and examine the evolving role of venture capital.Visit nextfrontierpod.com for full show notes.

Ep #02: Rethinking the VC Model in Africa

Ep #02: Rethinking the VC Model in Africa

Are you curious about the dynamics of venture capital in the African context? In today’s episode, we’re looking at how the traditional VC model is adapting to the unique challenges and opportunities in Africa and exploring the nuances of startup funding and development on the continent.Listen in as we shed light on the need for a localized approach to venture capital in Africa, discussing the differences in startup environments compared to more established markets like Silicon Valley. We also dive into the intricacies of funding models, the importance of understanding cultural and market differences, and the evolving landscape of African entrepreneurship.Visit nextfrontierpod.com for full show notes.

Ep #01: Bridging U.S. Capital and African Entrepreneurship

Ep #01: Bridging U.S. Capital and African Entrepreneurship

Have you ever wondered about the potential of startup investing in emerging markets? In the inaugural episode of Next Frontier, we invite listeners on a journey into this vibrant and challenging field, and set the stage for a series that promises to delve deep into the nuances of venture capital and startup ecosystems across different geographies. Listen in as we dive into the unique challenges and opportunities that arise when connecting U.S. capital with African entrepreneurship, sharing our personal experiences and insights. You’ll learn about the critical role of understanding diverse market dynamics, as well as the importance of effective funding mechanisms in nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in Africa. Don’t miss discovering the untapped potential of this vibrant continent.Visit nextfrontierpod.com for full show notes.