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In 2021, I embarked on a mission to create a mentor-led angel investment framework, not just for funding African startups but for deeply supporting their growth, development, and long-term success. The result was MentorPitch, a program rooted in the belief that mentorship is just as crucial as financial backing. Through TVCLabs’ venture-building expertise—incubating successful startups like SupaStrikas, Sproxil, and Slimtrader—we developed a process that aligns mentorship with angel investing, a transformative combination for both founders and investors.
Evolution to MentorPitch
MentorPitch is the manifestation of my personal experience in the world of angel investing and venture building. Designed as a 12-week mentoring program, the initiative evolved from my ongoing commitment to not only identify investment-worthy startups but to build them up, ensuring they are equipped to scale and thrive. In this program, angels don’t just provide capital—they offer insight, guidance, and access to networks that startups need to scale, making the angels stakeholders in the startups’ journeys long before any capital is exchanged.
What sets MentorPitch apart is its integration with the POEM Framework, the core structure of my 2023 book Investment Worthy Startup: …building business ventures investors want to fund!. By using this framework, which covers the venture’s Proposition, Organisation, Economics, and Milestones, we ensure that every startup undergoes a structured assessment and development process, helping them hone their value proposition, align their organisation, and master their economics for sustainable impact.
Professionally, MentorPitch has been an immensely rewarding venture for me.
Working with angel investors who believe in the power of mentorship has
amplified the impact we’re able to have on startups. Angels aren’t simply
investors looking for returns—they’re mentors and partners in the true sense,
offering hands-on advice across key areas like market positioning, customer
acquisition, and operational efficiency.
On a personal level, the connections I’ve formed with passionate founders and visionary investors have been incredibly fulfilling. MentorPitch has deepened my own understanding of the African startup ecosystem’s potential, particularly when collaboration and strategic mentorship come together. Being able to guide startups from early-stage to investment readiness while witnessing their growth is a privilege that fuels my commitment to nurturing Africa’s tech ecosystem.
The MP journey so far…
From its inception in 2021 to today, MentorPitch has grown steadily, with several milestones marking its journey. Each cohort has seen tangible growth in startup valuations, fundraising success, and market expansion. This growth is underpinned by the in-depth mentoring sessions that allow angels to not only invest in startups but also help shape their futures. Key milestones include the integration of emerging technologies like AI and fintech, with sectors such as edutech, agritech, and medtech also receiving significant focus. The angel-backed approach of MentorPitch has cultivated an ecosystem of not just investors but collaborators, who are genuinely invested in long-term growth and societal impact.
One of the most significant aspects of the MentorPitch program is its societal impact. Startups nurtured through MentorPitch have created jobs, driven innovation, and addressed pressing social challenges in sectors like education, healthcare, and agriculture. By fostering relationships between angels and startups, we’ve created a ripple effect that supports not only the startups themselves but the communities they serve.
Our mentors help shape ventures that tackle problems aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on areas like financial inclusion, healthcare access, and agricultural productivity. By leveraging technology-enabled solutions, MentorPitch-backed startups are increasingly positioning themselves as critical players in Africa’s development narrative.
MentorPitch is a dynamic program, continually evolving to meet the needs of both startups and investors. As we move forward, I am excited about the new possibilities in expanding our reach across the continent and integrating more advanced technologies like AI and machine learning to further optimise mentorship and investment processes.
In closing, MentorPitch represents more than just a framework for angel investing—it’s a catalyst for meaningful change in Africa’s startup ecosystem.
By focusing on mentorship, we’re unlocking potential and paving the way for a future where African startups are not just participants in the global economy but key players driving innovation and growth.
