Past Webinar
Wed, 24 April @7pm EAT | 6pm SAST | 5pm WAT
In the second event in our VC metrics series, we delve deeper into the Traction and Growth Metrics that can help showcase a startup’s potential for success.
In the competitive landscape of African startups, understanding and effectively leveraging traction and growth metrics can make all the difference in attracting investment and scaling.
What you will learn:
- Essential traction metrics such as user engagement, customer retention, and expansion metrics.
- Gain insights into how to interpret these metrics to showcase your startup’s growth trajectory.
- Understand the significance of traction and growth metrics in the eyes of a VC.
Speakers
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Anthea Hartzenberg
HEAD OF PLATFORM & COMMUNITY – CatalyzU
Anthea Hartzenberg is a senior growth, communications, and community strategist with 10 years of experience in the African & European startup and tech ecosystems. She formerly headed Engagement at OfferZen, Africa’s largest developer talent marketplace. Anthea scaled OfferZen’s B2B and B2C community strategy and branded merchandise operations from 100,000 developers in South Africa to six additional European markets, including Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and Spain. Prior to OfferZen, she worked as Strategic Communications and Media Relations Manager at JUMO, the leading fintech in Africa at the time, valued at over $400 million.
Jordy K.
Senior Investment Associate – Octerra
Jordy, a graduate from a French top Business School (SKEMA BS) with a specialization in Corporate Finance, has been immersed in the world of Venture Capital for several years. Following various experiences assisting entrepreneurs across Brazil, France, and Asia, Jordy made a conscious decision to channel his efforts towards fostering impact within the African and Afro-descendant entrepreneur community.
Open to engaging with individuals who share a vision of reshaping the narrative surrounding Venture Capital in Africa, Jordy is committed to offering enhanced support to the upcoming generation of African innovators poised to make significant strides in the business landscape.
Alyune-Blondin Diop
Senior Investment Associate
Alyune Diop is an Associate, working on deal sourcing and execution, portfolio support, and investor relations.
Previously, he worked as an Investment Analyst at Joliba Capital, a generalist Private Equity fund that mainly focuses on SMEs in Francophone West and Central Africa. He also has experience with the Tikehau Capital private equity team in London and LBO France’s small- and mid-cap teams in Paris. He also worked at Sonatel, the leading telecommunications operator in Senegal and at BICIS (BNP Paribas Senegal) in credit rating and credit risk management.
Alyune holds a Master Grande Ecole in Finance from EM Lyon Business School, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Pantheon-Assas University.
Karen Serem Waithaka
Chief Investment Officer – Catalyst Fund
Karen is the Chief Investment Officer at Catalyst Fund, spearheading the end-to-end investment process, including sourcing, due diligence, and closing deals. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, she splits her time between South Africa and Kenya, expanding Catalyst’s reach in these vibrant markets. With previous experience as an Investment Director at Global Partnerships Social Venture Fund, Karen managed the entire investment process, and invested in 7 Seed to Series A high-impact companies improving the livelihoods of underserved communities in East Africa. She brings comprehensive expertise in governance, strategy, and portfolio management, having served as a board observer for 9 investments under her purview.
In addition to her venture capital background, Karen has valuable experience in private equity, having worked at TBL Mirror Fund and Safaricom Spark Fund I. At TBL, she invested in 9 growth and later-stage companies in FMCG, ICT, and Healthcare sectors. At Safaricom, she managed investment opportunities and facilitated strategic collaborations for startups leveraging the telecom giant’s networks and expertise. Karen’s diverse experience also includes setting up her own advisory firm, where she guided startups through the fundraising journey, offering financial planning, strategy, recruitment, and mentorship support. With over 15 years of experience across Actuarial services, Corporate Finance, Private Equity, and Venture Capital in Africa, Karen is a highly skilled and well-rounded investor. Her leadership will be essential to the fund’s success.