From Idea to Impact: How to Build Startups Investors Can’t Ignore

May 8, 3:30 – 5:30 PM (UTC)

Cape Town

22 On Sloane Cape Town, 39 Somerset Road, Cape Town, 8005

This is not your typical fireside chat on venture capital - it is a masterclass in investor readiness, financial structu...

In-person event
Fireside Chat

Get tickets

About this event

This is not your typical fireside chat on venture capital - it is a masterclass in investor readiness, financial structuring, and building a startup that distrupt the global market.

Join us for an unfiltered and insighful conversation with Zachariah George a Wall Street–trained investment banker and co-founder and Managing Partner at Launch Africa Ventures, one of the continent’s iconic early-stage VC funds. With over 150 investments across 25+ African markets, including breakout names like Flutterwave, Yoco, and Kuda, Zach is not just backing founders, he’s helping shape the future of African tech.

In this high-impact session, Zach will break down what it really takes to raise smart capital, structure your business for long-term success, and build a company that investors believe in and customers can’t live without.

Whether you're a first-time founder or deep in your fundraising journey, this is your chance to tap into the insights, strategies, and financial practices that separate great startups from the rest.

What You Will Learn

🔍 Before the Pitch

  • What truly fundable startups look like behind the scenes

  • How to prepare your business, data, and story to attract VC interest

  • Aligning your vision with investor expectations and market realities

📈 Cracking the African VC Code

  • The silent signals investors look for (team, traction, clarity, governance)

  • Navigating Africa’s fragmented but fast-growing investment landscape

  • What differentiates standout founders from the noise

🚀 After the Funding: Now What?

  • Common pitfalls post-funding and how to avoid them

  • Operating with investor confidence and accountability

  • Building financial controls, growth plans, and internal systems that support scale

💼 Financial Intelligence: From Wall Street to Africa

  • How global investors assess risk, structure deals, and track ROI

  • Financial hygiene: cap tables, burn rate, margins, reporting, unit economics

  • Positioning your startup for future funding rounds or exit

This is more than insight it is a roadmap to building a venture-backable business with substance, scalability, and staying power. Zachariah George does not just speak theory; he has helped shape some of the most iconic African startups through his work at Launch Africa.

If you are ready to master the art of funding, sharpen your financial strategy, and think like a world-class founder—this fireside chat is where your transformation begins.

Sponsored by
Spark Eighteen
22 On Sloane
Scalexed

Speakers

  • Zachariah George

    Startup Bootcamp / Cactus Advisors

  • Brian Mlambo

    Akha Ventures Partners

    CEO & Founder

When

When

Thursday, May 8, 2025
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM (UTC)

Organizer

  • Brian Mlambo

    Akha Ventures

    CEO & Founder

Global sponsor

Google Cloud logo

Google Cloud

About Startup Grind

This is Startup Grind. We are the world’s largest startup community.

Our Mission

To give startups everywhere the education and opportunities they need to build, grow, and scale their companies.

Our Values

We believe in making friends, not contacts. We believe in giving first, not taking. We believe in helping others before helping yourself.

Tools & Discounts for Startups

Take advantage of resources and offers provided by organizations we know and love, designed to help you navigate the startup journey.

Global Conference

Our annual flagship event in Silicon Valley brings together thousands of startup teams, investors and organizations from all over the world.

Join the Startup Membership

This membership gives you free access to networking, events, mentorship, office hours, and other exclusive opportunities curated by Startup Grind HQ.