A Founder Smith Case Study on Topsoe, Timing, and the Cost of Holding On Introduction Growth stories are often told through addition.New products. Expanded markets. Increased capacity.These are visible signals measurable through announcements, funding rounds, and facility openings. But subtraction tells its own story. A product discontinued. An expansion paused. A facility operating below expectations. These decisions […]
The Feature We Had to Delete Read More »
Something big is happening, and it’s been in the making for months. At Founders Smith, we’ve always believed that the most transformative companies in West Africa won’t come from Silicon Valley; they’ll come from Accra, Dakar, Enugu, Lomé, and every corner of this region where founders are solving real problems with real urgency. After a
From fintech in Nigeria to agritech in Ghana and logistics startups in Senegal, founders are building solutions for some of the region’s biggest problems. But while innovation is increasing, many startups still struggle to survive beyond their early stages. And the reason is not always funding. Sometimes, the biggest threat to a startup is the
7 Common Mistakes Startup Founders Make in West Africa Read More »
Why being busy is not the same as building something that works There is a moment almost every founder experiences. You are working every day. Long hours. Calls. Meetings. Product updates. Marketing pushes. Hiring conversations. Maybe even pitching investors. You are tired but also proud because you are doing a lot. Then one day, you
The Difference Between Activity and Progress Read More »
Introduction In Africa’s startup ecosystem, the word “accelerator” has started to sound… familiar. Too familiar. Pitch decks. Demo days. Mentors you meet once. Advice that sounds good on paper but collapses the moment NEPA takes light or FX jumps again. For many founders, that’s where the story ends. But African founders don’t just need acceleration.
More Than an Accelerator: How Founders Smith Powers Startup Growth in Africa Read More »
