Author: Solomon King

He stood next to me at the Cascador pitch event last May in Lagos—Bayo, a founder I’d known for some time, still trying to raise capital. As we watched entrepreneurs just like him walk away with millions in debt and equity, he turned to me with visible frustration: “Why them and not me?….” That encounter crystallized a truth I’ve carried for years: access to capital isn’t about scarcity of funds—it’s about knowledge, strategy, and readiness. The same point I made in that much-talked-about @TechCabal interview: raising capital goes far beyond money. There are mindsets, techniques, and processes that go deeper…

There’s been a lot of buzz around the TV series To Kill a Monkey — and rightly so. It boasts a brilliant cast, sharp delivery, and a storyline that cuts across almost every corner of society. It’s got it all: the startup founder who finally lands the big break but fumbles under family pressures, lessons on loyalty and betrayal, the tension of mental health under the weight of expectations, and the bittersweet taste of opportunity. Plenty to unpack. Watching it reminded me of a conversation I had in 2023 while facilitating a session on Optimising Business Financial Health for the…

For African entrepreneurs and startups, raising capital remains one of the biggest hurdles on the path to growth. Traditional financing channels such as bank loans are often out of reach due to high interest rates, stringent requirements, or limited availability. This is why alternative funding sources—crowdfunding platforms and angel investors—are gaining significant traction across the continent. Both options provide unique pathways to capital, community support, and mentorship. Let’s break down some of the most relevant platforms and networks. Crowdfunding Platforms Crowdfunding allows startups and projects to raise funds by pooling small contributions from a large number of individuals, often through…

It wasn’t the first time I’d heard that question—but it’s one that never gets old. Because while pitch decks might evolve, markets may shift, and founders will always tell compelling stories, the truth is often buried in the numbers. And sometimes, those numbers whisper warnings. Now, let me be clear: angels don’t expect perfection. Most early-stage startups are messy. That’s fine. But there are certain financial signals—some loud, some subtle Here’s how I typically read the financial tea leaves: 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘃𝘀. 𝗥𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘃𝘀. 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 If you’re burning through ₦15 million a month but haven’t clearly mapped that spend to…

Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of “You just got here—how are you already in the room?” Some say it with admiration. Others with suspicion. I understand both. To be fair, it does look fast. A few years ago, I wasn’t visible in the startup world. Now I’m sitting in rooms, running LAN, co-hosting investor sessions, and getting calls from people I used to follow quietly on LinkedIn But here’s the truth: this isn’t magic  It’s not luck either  It’s just what happens when you understand how the system works and move with sense Because like it or not, the…