Venture for Africa: An Exciting Gateway to Startups — Insights from Glenn Ogolah
Starting a career at a startup can be daunting. Startups operate in completely different environments than corporate businesses do, with different rules, expectations, and challenges. However, for those willing to take the leap, the rewards can be great.
We recently had the opportunity to speak with Glenn Ogolah, a marketing professional who made the switch to the startup world through Venture for Africa (VFA). We help connect mid- to senior-level professionals with high-impact startups in Africa.
With over five years of experience in marketing, Glenn started his career in private equity, then moved on to a logistics startup. After taking a break to study Behavioral Economics, he did some consulting for startups before joining Sava Africa through VFA.
I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of creating new things, which made startups attractive to me. VFA provided an avenue to reach out and connect with these startups and get a feel for how they work and how my skills could best fit their needs and growth
Discovering VFA
Glenn discovered VFA through a referral from a friend. He was drawn to the program because it offered a safe avenue to connect with startups and learn more about how they work. “I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of creating new things, which made startups attractive to me. VFA provided an avenue to reach out and connect with these startups and get a feel for how they work and how my skills could best fit their needs and growth. It’s basically a bridge to entering the startup world,” says Glenn.
When describing the community he gained through VFA, he says “It’s like I’m applying to this role, but there is a network of other people that I can tap into to be more effective when I am carrying out my role”. The supportive community behind VFA was also a big selling point for Glenn. He was able to bounce off his ideas, get feedback, and network with others in the same space.
“For me, it was super helpful as I was able to reach out to other people and just talk about my ideas. I reached out to one of my mates who ended up helping me get people to show my product to. I also helped another mate to restructure her strategy for obtaining more business for her company. I also love the networking opportunities available, including the mixers, that helped me meet other professionals in the startup space,” Glenn expressed.
Journey to Sava Africa
Glenn was specifically interested in building a growth engine, especially for fintech, which is the fastest-growing sector within the startup space in Africa. Sava gave him the opportunity and exposure to do just that. When asked about why he was interested in Sava, Glenn says “They were just beginning to set up their growth function that was primed to launch both in South Africa and Kenya, and they required lead acquisition, conversion, and a customer success process, which I was already interested in.” He goes on to say, “I also wanted to be exposed to fintech as it is currently the largest space in terms of investment. It’s the fastest-growing sector within the startup space in Africa. And Sava provided me with the exposure I was looking for.”
Experience Working at Sava Africa
Glenn’s biggest takeaway from working with the team at Sava Africa is that things change a lot in the startup world. When building a product or service, change is inevitable. Speaking to consumers can quickly reveal that what was once thought to be a necessary investment might quickly become a nice-to-have, and vice versa. Customer needs can vary greatly, and it is crucial to be open and responsive to their feedback. “For instance, when building a product for Kenya, the initial plan was based on the South African product. But after speaking with Kenyan consumers, it became clear that they had different needs, and we had to change our approach,” says Glenn.
Starting a new venture requires a lot of trial and error, as highlighted by Glenn. “There is also a lot of figuring things out as we go along in the very beginning,” says Glenn. As a result, being able to adapt and pivot quickly is essential in the early stages of any business.
There is a community of people with the expertise and experience to help you adapt to what you’re going to find. You have a support network behind you which makes VFA very ideal
Considering Moving to a Startup?
For those considering a move to the startup world, Glenn recommends VFA as a way to get a sense of what startups are like without jumping in blindly. The fellowship program offers a supportive network that can help professionals adapt to the startup environment and learn fast. Glenn indicates, “There is a community of people with the expertise and experience to help you adapt to what you’re going to find. You have a support network behind you which makes VFA very ideal.” Additionally, working on projects for the initial three months can help professionals get a feel for what startups are like before fully committing. “It’s also a great way of safely finding out what to expect on the startup side and learning really fast,” Glenn emphasizes.
Conclusion
Overall, Glenn’s experience with VFA and Sava Africa highlights the opportunities available for professionals looking to make a career move to startups. While the challenges might be great, the rewards can be even greater. If you’re a professional looking to pivot to the startup world, VFA is the right program you’re looking for which will give you a unique opportunity to gain startup experience and local industry knowledge while contributing to meaningful impact at a leading African startup.
Our mission at Venture for Africa is to bridge talent gaps at the continent’s fastest-growing companies. We achieve this by matching talent with a VFA startup partner in your area of interest.
Sign up today to become a VFA fellow and access opportunities at Africa’s leading tech startups, work on real projects and immerse yourself in the ecosystem. Check out our website at http://venturefor.africa to learn more about how we can help you make your major career move.
