Marge Ntambi Profile Banner
Marge Ntambi Profile
Marge Ntambi

@margentambi

5,417
Followers
996
Following
102
Media
2,406
Statuses

Insights on building and investing in Africa tech. Investor @rarebreedvc and Partner @benuecapital . Author of Sati - Sourcing Africa to Invest ↓

Researching & Writing ➡️
Joined January 2020
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
Pinned Tweet
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
6 days
I’ve seen several like @asemota , @NaijaFlyingDr , and @mayahorganfamod , mention that FemTech is a huge opportunity. But we wanted details: how big and where/how do VCs make money? In our latest, Ona and I examined Venture Backable FemTech Models in Africa. Our analysis…
16
147
394
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
8 months
I'm a mom to an 11 month old And for several reasons, I don't have childcare A few weeks ago I was invited to be on a panel at the EvrythingAfrica Summit My husband was supposed to watch the baby, but he ended up having to work I could have cancelled But I took my daughter…
Tweet media one
Tweet media two
67
211
1K
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
3 months
Today I became a mother of 2 💕 I thank God
111
20
559
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
11 months
For most African founders, your likely exit is through acquisition Therefore, from day one, create relationships with strategic buyers Here are a few reasons why:
13
103
428
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
7 months
There are 3 standard ways to describe market size: 1. TAM = Total Addressable Market 2. SAM = Service Available Market 3. SOM = Service Obtainable Market or Share of Market Let's break each one down 1. TAM TAM is the total possible demand for your product without limitation to…
10
126
362
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
2 years
1/ If you pitch your company to @RarebreedVC , there's a chance I MIGHT end up being your first call before a second call with our GPs @MacConwell and @krollja . If you've listened to or watched any of @MacConwell 's interviews, you've probably heard him say the following: 🧵
23
54
346
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
The Silicon Valley approach to VC funding ("growth at all costs") isn't always feasible for Africa-based startups. Prioritizing profitability/revenue to fund future growth is often required. Let's briefly explore why:
8
87
284
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
8 months
Most calls with investors are 30 minutes If I were pitching, here's how I'd use the time: 1. Explain my problem and solution in 3 sentences - 1: What my solution is - 2: Why people need it - 3: Why its different from everything else already being done 2. How it creates value…
13
89
265
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
7 months
There are 4 types of market segmentation: - Geographic - Where your customers live - Demographic - Who they are - Psychographic - Why they buy - Behavioral - How they buy Let's break each one down Geographic Segmentation (Where your customers live) Often the easiest to…
7
90
250
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
4 months
A CEO's role is to: - Foresee opportunities - Connect dots - Boldly solve problems that others see as unimaginable - Believe in greater possibilities for the company - Surround themselves with amazing people
3
69
217
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
10 months
Every startup begins with founders... A rare breed of individuals inspired enough to dedicate time, effort, and money towards bringing their idea to life Founders tend to have certain personality traits for their startups to become successful Some common traits include:
5
53
211
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
7 months
Your problem statement should include the size of the problem Problem Size = Frequency x Intensity x Users Let's break down how you'd go about calculating your problem size Key definitions: - Frequency: how often do users experience the problem? Daily, weekly, monthly,…
7
61
201
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
As a founder, creating a defensible product is priority To create a defensible product, you must develop something that is difficult for competitors to replicate. This can be done in several ways:
10
52
184
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
28 days
Your revenue model consists of: Who pays What they pay for How they pay How much they pay Your revenue model should be in sync with your overall business strategy and should evolve as your startup grows
5
52
167
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
11 months
As your company grows, your team may need to undergo significant changes The team that successfully supported your small startup may not have the skills or capacity to handle the demands of a rapidly expanding organization Be open to evolution To progress your company
7
37
149
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
🗣 Africa had, has, and will have brilliant founders building for the future to come.
7
49
153
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
8 months
Around this time 3 years ago, I left a corporate job to pursue my dream: To become an early stage investor in Africa-focused startups I did several fellowships: @genzvcs @pariti_io @HometeamVC @BLCKVC All amazing experiences The one that stuck was with @MacConwell
24
16
149
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
2 months
The future of Africa will be shaped at the intersection of technology and culture. Bridging this gap requires not only innovation but a deep understanding of the cultural fabric that holds communities together.
18
50
148
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
3 months
Innovation does not wait for perfection Start where you are Use what you have Do what you can
3
53
141
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
10 months
Bootstrap for as long as you can Instead of seeking external funding or taking on debt, try to self-fund your startup initially Keep costs low by: ‣ Working from home ‣ Using open source software ‣ Leveraging affordable or free tools and services
5
42
141
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
Founders building digital products/services for Africa 💡When choosing markets to start in and expand to Consider how mature that consumer market is in the use of technology to do everyday things like transact/communicate This ensures that there is a market to meet you online
6
33
136
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 month
In a world obsessed with doing things faster, remember that growth and success take time. Hard work, dedication, and consistency are the keys to long-term success.
7
48
137
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
8 months
Don't doubt an idea because it seems too grand to achieve Every innovative startup in Africa started with someone daring to believe
7
27
133
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 month
Remember who stood by your side as you rebuilt yourself. Those are your people.
4
41
133
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
11 months
There's no group better to solve local challenges than Africa's developers, founders, and entrepreneurs
9
40
132
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
9 months
Have you sat down and thought through the end to end founder journey? From idea to exit? Its a several year process... so much happens along the way Those that have done it understand the journey best But here are a few things I've observed are involved in building a startup:…
10
44
130
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
5 months
African markets with large GDPs receive more investment These markets (Nigeria, Kenya, Egpty, South Africa) also have flourishing tech ecosystems A flourishing tech ecosystem is a complex interplay of components that work synergistically Here's a list of these components:
6
42
125
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
When you meet someone with massive potential, create a space for them to thrive.
2
26
129
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
10 months
Be passionate about the sector you wish to get into Your passion will push you to educate yourself through reading and application Then, make sure you offer top quality service and create an impact So that you can be remembered
3
41
123
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
4 months
A startup team needs a leader, builder, and marketer The leader: identifies opportunities, sets a plan, builds a team and executes The builder: creates the solution The marketer: brings and boosts sales Some people wear more than one hat in the early days.
7
36
121
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 month
As you're building, find founders ahead of you in the process. Learn from each other. Share stories on progress and get honest feedback.
4
37
121
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 month
Focus on your craft. Build something remarkable that stands the test of time. At some point, the world will notice.
3
36
119
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
As a founder, your first priority is to believe in yourself. If you don't believe in you, why should others?
5
43
119
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
10 months
Your business model is how you create, deliver, and capture value. There are only 9 business models: ‣ Enterprise ‣ SaaS ‣ Usage-based ‣ Subscription ‣ Transactional ‣ Market Place ‣ E-commerce ‣ Hardware ‣ Advertising Let's dig into each one h/t @mat_moebius
1
44
118
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
9 months
Choosing a cofounder involves more than assessing one's skills and experiences You and this person need to "click" There needs to be a natural, plutonic connection from the start Why? This person is joining you on a long, life altering journey They'll become family You'll…
3
33
109
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
VC is a combination of three different skills - 💸 Equity finance - 🧳 Consulting - 🗣 Marketing / Sales Let’s break each skillset down in detail:
4
30
110
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
10 months
Don't underestimate the cost of funding your business until its profitable Keep your business alive til revenues exceed expenses... And aim for expanded profitability after breaking even Raise capital if required But operate as if injections of capital aren't guaranteed
5
23
109
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
10 months
As part of the African startup ecosystem, I see myself collaborating with: - Founders - Innovation hubs - Angels - VCs - And other ecosystem players To help ensure the commercial success of founders building innovative tech-enabled solutions that transform African economies
7
16
104
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
9 months
Your job as a founder is to convince consumers that they need your solution Once you've landed a few customers, you need to make sure your product is accessible from both a price point and location of sale for a wider audience This involves building awareness and brand presence
4
16
106
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
8 months
@sugabelly Thanks for your input on this My husband and I run a residential contracting business so we’re also entrepreneurs He had to be in the field for a client call that required him to be on the roof for an emergency leak Not a very safe place for a baby to be
5
11
99
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
7 months
When I'm talking to a founder, I pay close attention to their understanding of the regulatory and competitive environment If they demonstrate a strong level of knowledge around this, it tells me they won't be wasting valuable time trying to compete They know how they can win
4
18
102
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
6 months
Sometimes opportunities arise because someone sees a light in you before you do These people are often catalyzers of your career and help you achieve more @MacConwell has been this person for me As I've made my foray into VC
3
5
102
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
9 months
Success belongs to those most enduring, not the most talented Endurance wins the race h/t @VusiThembekwayo
7
24
101
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
First to market is important but user acquisition is just as important. You can have a great product, but if you haven't cracked user acquisition and distribution, you've got nothing. Customer's need to be able to find your product and love your product.
8
39
101
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
4 months
In Africa, depending on the sector you're tackling, Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt are big enough markets to dominate and win. Several companies have successfully grown by taking this approach, hence a concentration of venture funding in these markets. This approach avoids the…
Tweet media one
5
20
101
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
I've been spending A LOT of time learning about tech ecosystems in Africa. While far from an expert, I've started making awesome connections. Signs of my progress? The opportunity to collaborate with @calebmaru & @Jasielinvests in hosting an AMA for founders building in Africa
Tweet media one
6
26
102
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
6 months
Partnerships are a great way to acquire customers at low costs Find platforms or businesses that have customers you need The partnership will only work if you're able to increase value for your partner's customers While you also achieve an expanded customer base
3
28
95
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
10 months
Raising equity is one way to access capital But keep in mind that it requires giving up ownership Your objective as a founder is to raise as little as possible to reach immense scale So that when you exit, you reap the largest benefits possible for your years of effort
2
31
96
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
3 months
As a startup, your team should consist of: - Curious people with an open mind - Who know what they're doing - And are self-motivated
8
22
91
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
10 months
Hard work pays off And hard work will get you noticed But networking, collaboration, and gaining advocates / connections is what will take you over the edge
2
26
92
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
11 months
The beauty in sharing publicly is that people with more knowledge can comment on your content to help you refine your thinking
4
15
94
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
3 months
A minimum viable product doesn't always require as much as you think It could be: -A working prototype -A basic ad or landing page -A brochure -A sample dataset -A storyboard -A video All an MPV needs to do is show enough core features to attract the INTEREST of early adopters
3
22
92
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
Build a culture where people become more of who they were made to be. Help people find the version of themselves they never realized was possible.
4
25
92
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
Companies aren't built by individuals They're built by teams You're only as strong as the people you surround yourself with
3
34
92
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
6 months
Where to focus while building: At the start --> execution As you scale --> strategy At all stages --> mindset
0
18
90
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
5 months
To build and invest in groundbreaking tech in Africa Requires collaboration Founders need strong teams Investors need strong networks to advocate for their founders Transforming Africa's economy through technology can't be done in silos We're all pursuing the same mission
3
30
91
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
💡 Africa-focused founders As you consider your strategy to drive adoption Think through how to merge your technology with the traditional way of doing business in Africa
5
30
90
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
11 months
If youre raising a seed round, youve achieved a few milestones Articulate the following to catch an investors attention: 1. How well the company is doing 2. How big the market opportunity is 3. Why you have an unfair advantage over everyone else Keep it concise and compelling
4
28
89
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
Building for Africa is hard Founders are faced with several systematic challenges The best founders automate, find efficiencies, and establish operational excellence The best products are built to be resilient
2
28
90
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
5 months
Write the vision and make it plain So that he who reads it, will run to it And even though it tarry (meaning takes a long time) Wait for it For surely it will come at an appointed time Habakkuk 2:2-3
5
26
89
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
To determine the size of an addressable market observe: - The overall population size - Urban density - Income levels - Smartphone penetration - Internet access and affordability - Cost and availability of substitutes - The quality of the business environment - ETC
2
24
84
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
10 months
To start and sustain a successful startup in Africa or anywhere else, the founder must have a compelling vision that'll drive the execution of all activities required to bring that vision to life
7
20
82
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
Shouts to my baby sister. She went for medicine. I chose business. Both hustling.
@JayneNtambi
Jayne-Norah Ntambi, MD
2 years
Tweet media one
Tweet media two
Tweet media three
1
2
12
8
2
81
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
Building is hard. Investors need to know that the founders they're betting on are deeply passionate about the problems they want to solve. Often, these types of entrepreneurs give off an “energy” that signals their motivation and commitment to their mission.
4
20
78
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
2 months
Your time on earth is limited Free yourself from thinking you're too late or too soon And just trust in your life's timing
1
17
79
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
3 months
Prolonged MVP development duration is one of the biggest risks you might face as a founder. Should you miss the window of opportunity, more agile competitors will take your market share.
7
21
80
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
11 months
Plan for your exit A clear exit plan will help you: 1. Attract investors 2. Set goals and milestones 3. Maximize valuation 4. Set direction and vision Let's delve into each of these benefits
4
18
78
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
11 months
On the Africa front, I'm speaking more from the perspective of disposable income. According to the latest report from @McKinsey , the largest consumer segment (70%+) in Africa spends between $2-$11/day. Note: this group accounted for 31% of consumption in 2019 60% of spending…
Tweet media one
@ponton_alex
Alex Ponton
11 months
@margentambi @DarrelFrater I invested in and worked for both B2C and B2B startups in Africa. I am not settled on what is better yet so quite curious to hear your thoughts.. The story is perhaps clearer in the US / Western World context with a high density of billion dollar companies to sell to...
2
2
5
5
21
78
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
2 months
Not all advice is good advice You know yourself, the work you're putting in, where its got you so far, and where it could take you Some might not see the fruits of your labor yet But you know the incremental progress you're making everyday Don't stop the hustle
2
27
73
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
6 months
The most successful people in the world are those who can self soothe They avoid being triggered They can stay emotionally calm in the midst of a storm When everyone is panicking, they look for solutions They focus on what can work, not what doesn't
0
16
76
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
11 months
It's rare that a company ends with the solution they started with It's why early stage investing is truly about predicting a founders ability to weather the process required to evolve their business
4
13
76
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
11 months
You don't need technical experience to be a great founder Lean into your strengths by demonstrating: 1. Domain expertise 2. An ability to recruit and hire amazing talent 3. A keen sense of customer focus 4. An understanding of market dynamics and business model planning
3
20
75
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
7 months
Don't get distracted by trying to offer several features before understanding who your customer is and what they want Start by simply serving the most profitable customers Do that very well Have a strong value proposition and customer strategy just for this segment
6
17
74
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
2 months
Fundamentally, startups need to raise capital to accelerate and grow. But know that one day you'll need to stop relying on external capital. The end goal is to build a product, a community, and a profitable business.
5
25
75
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
11 months
When you've found the perfect co-founder, you're never distracted by who did more or less at any given point in time No matter how much time each person puts in, when both are playing at their strengths, and their hearts are committed to the product... Magic happens
5
28
73
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
10 months
Cultivate a strong newtork Build and nurture relationships with mentors, advisors, industry peers, and potential partners These connections can provide valuable guidance, support, and opportunities
3
29
71
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
6 months
Don't get discouraged if you're new at something and want to acquire a skill Teach yourself Or learn from other people Put in the time Even if you don't end up using the skill today It might come in handy later
1
12
74
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
By 2050, Africa will be home to the largest population of working-age adults. A growing working-age population results in the birthing of more startups. Africa currently has the highest rate of entrepreneurship in the world with 22% of working-age people starting businesses.
4
23
73
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
9 months
Many of us study Africa-focused startups And know of the Big 4: Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa However, the continent has 54 unique countries To decipher why funding is prominent in some markets vs others requires a macroeconomic deep dive Let's see what we uncover:
Tweet media one
4
31
72
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
3 years
Without mentors, I didn’t have a roadmap when I started my VC journey in Dec’20. I thank @wossen for giving my first opportunity, @thechangj for giving me my second and @MacConwell for giving me my third. Thank you for letting me take part in your world and helping me progress.
6
9
72
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
10 months
Pricing matters It determines how much revenue you'll acquire to cover costs and hopefully drive profits to reinvest for continued growth Here's how you could approach building your pricing strategy:
4
16
70
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
4 months
If you approach an Angel or seed investor with just an idea/prototype and vision with no validation or customers, they will want to make sure your team is equipped with the necessary experience, expertise, and passion to successfully execute your plan into expected outcomes.
5
14
72
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
Delivering products and services that fix market failures in largely untapped markets can be a lucrative opportunity
7
18
71
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
2 months
Entrepreneurship in Africa is not just about launching a startup. It's about redefining an entire ecosystem, turning challenges into opportunities, and daring to envision a future others haven't yet dreamt of.
@Benji_Fernandes
Benjamin Fernandes 🇹🇿
2 months
We’re building for Africa what dLocal has done for LATAM and AirWallex/Nium for APAC. This infrastructure, born not by choice, but rather out of necessity, is the backbone of our consumer fintech app and our B2B payments platform. With Rafiki, we’re not just solving our own…
1
2
18
0
25
72
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
5 months
I don't talk about it much but I'm an entrepreneur of a traditional business I started in 2020 YoY growth for '21 was low: 5% YoY growth for '22 was better: 84% YoY growth for '23 has been the best to date: 105% Some takeaways: - Have patience AND - Nurture what works
6
18
72
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
9 months
Don't get distracted by the need for instant gratification Be patient Work hard, be consistent The fruits of your labor present themselves in bite-sized pieces every day And in time, things will take off
0
31
71
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
10 months
There's a significant amount of skill, execution ability and coordination that goes into turning a great idea into a great product
4
15
71
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
6 months
The easier your product is to use and understand The more likely you will succeed
2
12
70
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
9 months
In Africa, when you've found product-market fit, you need to run and scale as quickly as possible Most African markets need 2-3 players at scale before the market is locked up Scale is an advantage due to cost economies and network effects where available
3
14
69
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
6 months
The most successful companies grow via word of mouth Therefore, marketing and sales budgets are redirected towards product development with a focus on customer experience vs Just doing something better or cheaper without the customers wants and needs in mind
10
10
69
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
6 months
Make it easy for customers to connect with your product Your messaging should be simple, direct, and relatable Make your value clear in one to two sentences Otherwise, you're at risk of customers trying alternatives that are easier to understand
3
17
70
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
9 months
As Africa-focused VCs, we look for signals to determine products and services that will deliver future outsized returns One signal we can't ignore is Africa's rapidly urbanizing population and its impact on: - Employment - Consumption - Digital adoption *Progress in these…
Tweet media one
Tweet media two
Tweet media three
7
25
69
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
💡 B2C business models represent massive opportunities in Africa under certain conditions To win in markets with limited purchasing power, build a robust business based on: -Demand -Easy/scalable onboarding (volume) -Proper price (adopt/retain) -Convenience -Lean operations
4
26
68
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
2 months
Scaling isn't just about size, it's also about maintaining efficiency and quality.
3
18
65
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
9 months
Africa remains a high-potential region, but growth is concentrated in a few markets and income segments. To win, companies need a tailored, data-driven approach.
1
12
65
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
9 months
What does it take to build a startup in Africa? @saundersdj13 frm @briterbridges and I are on a mission to find out On Aug 17 were talking to @zanele_matome the founder of Welo Health Against all odds she raised & scaled Lets learn from her experience
2
17
68
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
The idea that things should come easy and quick is prevalent. But building requires effort, time, and deep thinking. You can’t just hack it. Be okay with the fact that what you're working on will take time. It'll require your patience.
4
17
67
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
1 year
Old News: for every 9 failed startups, there's 1 winner Based on a survey by Fortune, 42% of failed startups indicated the lack of a market need for their product as the biggest reason for their collapse. So what can you do to ensure product-market fit before going all in?
7
15
68
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
2 months
In the beginning, the biggest expense a startup has is app dev and design With a technician cofounder, you might trade spending cash with time (human capital) Therefore, if you have a good one, respect your CTO The scalability and ease of use of your platform is in their hands
2
15
65
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
24 days
Faith: The substance of things hoped for The conviction of things not seen Hebrews 11:1 Overtime, maintaining faith will manifest itself into something real, something you can see So keep it, keep believing
3
19
66
@margentambi
Marge Ntambi
2 months
What does it take to raise venture capital? Keep in mind the 4 T's: Team Traction TAM Timing As a founder, strongly exemplify all 4 T's as you pitch your company to display its capability to deliver outsized returns
0
23
64