Talent Gap
Progress update #2 February 2022
Before I dive in this week I need to correct an error from last week: the actual total venture dollars invested across Africa in 2021 was $5B.
Clearly, things are moving faster than even the most optimistic of predictions.
This number, allied to what I am seeing in the African tech Twitterverse is grounding evidence for our thesis and strategy at From Here Ventures.
Now that founders have money, the predictable challenge of attracting talent becomes paramount.
But, the reality is while Africa is overflowing with human capital, game ready talent is still in short supply unless you know where to look. Founders and investors are now contending with this stark reality.
Check out recent chatter on Twitter:
And this, from some of the most respected ecosystem actors.
At Impact Africa Network we invested early in talent programs. Matter of fact, our entire approach is anchored around a robust L&D program.
How do you accelerate cohorts of novice college grads into Innovation Leaders all at once? You make it core to your strategy.
We are now taking what we have learned to the world talent and are building talent development programs and communities:
JENGA School - tech skills training institution
TAPin - tech talent network
The Bridge - career launch accelerator for college grads
A decade and a half in the Bay Area ingrained in me the critical importance of talent to startups. This has been the unfair advantage which has allowed me to skate to where the puck is going to be.
My #1 job at Impact Africa Network is talent aggregation, and we have built upon this thesis from day 1.
For instance, fireside chats with some of brightest minds tech are part of life at Impact Africa Network. We are a learning organization.
As we proceed to invest in exciting founders through FHV we are better positioned than anyone to provide access to that most vital of resources to our portfolio companies, talent.
The advantage of first being builders ourselves is knowing first hand what it takes to unlock growth.
Onwards and upwards!