THESIS.md
cheque$5k–$30kstagepre-seedreply7 daysdecision≤ 14 daysregionNG · GH · KE
How I invest
Small, early cheques for technical founders building for African markets. Each cheque is $5k–$30k. I answer every pitch within 7 days and decide within 14 days at most.
What I back #
| Theme | For example | In the portfolio |
|---|---|---|
| Money moving | payouts, bookkeeping, credit on real data | Tailspin Paypre-seed · 2021 |
| Goods moving | freight, riders, stock for small shops | Northwind Freightexited · 2023 |
| Health access | pharmacy stock, clinic staff, records | Wingtip Healthseed · 2022 |
| Security and tools | what startups need to stay safe | Adatum Shieldbuyout · 2023 |
What I pass on #
- token sales, betting and gambling
- lending without a credit model you can explain on one page
- agencies sold as software
Cheque and terms #
| cheque | $5k–$30k per company |
|---|---|
| stage | Idea to seed, mostly pre-seed |
| terms | Usually on a post-money SAFE, or on the lead’s terms. |
| leading | Sometimes. I led the rounds for Tailspin Pay and Litware Learn. More often I join a lead I trust. |
| where | Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya first. Founders anywhere building for those markets, including the diaspora. |
How I decide #
timeline.txtplain text
day 0you send the pitch
by day 7I reply myself # a call, or a clear no
thenone call, then a closer look at the product and its security
by day 14yes or no, at the latest
After the cheque #
- A security review before you launch: offensive security is my other job.
- Go-to-market and retention help from building RentWise and Kiakia.
- Introductions to founders, operators and other investors.
Fit check #
- a founder writes code, or has shipped a product before (must have)
- you sell to people in African markets (must have)
- you have users, a pilot or letters of intent (helps)
- you will handle money, health or personal data (helps)
must have · helps