045 Investing In Africa with SME.NG Managing Partner Thelma Ekiyor

Tehlma Ekiyor is an Impact Investor, Development Expert, Social Entrepreneur, Fundraising Expert, Senior Public Sector Project Advisor. Implemented projects in 22 African countries Served as Senior Consultant to the Africa Union, ECA, IGAD, ECOWAS Co-founded SME.NG - Nigeria's impact investment platform for women. pioneered the establishment of national and international non-profit and philanthropic organizations Passionate about equipping women to participate in decision making - co-founded women's organizations.
 
 
This episode we talk about:
What’s it like to be a strategic policy advisor for the UN?
What happens at “Deal Day” at the end of your accelerator program?
What’s it like to be an impact investor?
What’s it like starting a business in a country where bank interest rates are 23%.
What are typical investment check sizes for seed stage companies and A-round in Nigeria?
 
I would like to thank Gillian Harding Founder and CEO of Zoosh Pay who made the introduction allowing the interview to happen.
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Connect with Thelma Ekiyor
Linkedin
Email tekiyor@yahoo.com
Website https://nigeriasme.ng/
Twitter @thelmaekiyor
 
CONNECT WITH SHAWN:
 
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Email Shawn@thesiliconvalleypodcast.com
 
 

044 Beginning of 2020 with Bay Area Council Economic Institute Sr Dir Sean Randolph

 
Sean Randolph is senior director for the Bay Area Council Economic institute as well as being the Former Director of Trade for the California Trade and Commerce Agency, he is an Executive with expertise in economic policy, technology and innovation, and international affairs. Frequent speaker and writer on economic issues, with over 200 published reports and articles on foreign affairs, international business and economic policy.
Active kayaker and trail, mountain and ultramarathon runner. 
 
This episode we talk about:
Which countries have the strongest ties and influence on Silicon Valley?
How big of an economic influence does Silicon Valley really have on the state of California?
How does trade policy affect startups?
What role does the Bay Area Council play in Silicon Valley and the rest of the world?
What laws are being discussed that will affect all of us in the coming years?
 
Help us out!
Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a rating and review! It takes less than 30 seconds and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it!
 
Connect with Sean
Bay Area Council Economic Institute
Linkedin
Email sean@bayareacouncil.org
 
 
CONNECT WITH SHAWN:
 
https://linktr.ee/ShawnflynnSV
 
Shawn Flynn’s Twitter Account
Shawn Flynn’s LinkedIn Account
Silicon Valley LinkedIn Group Account
Shawn Flynn’s Facebook Account
Email Shawn@thesiliconvalleypodcast.com
 
 
 

043 Preparing to Raise Venture Capital with COO of Kruze Consulting Scott Orn

We have Scott Orn on the show. Scott runs Operations at Kruze Consulting, a fast-growing Startup CFO Consulting firm that works with over 160 startup clients. Kruze is based in San Francisco with clients in the Bay Area, Los Angeles and New York. In addition to his Operations responsibilities, Scott runs the Venture Debt Consulting practice at Kruze.
 
In his spare time, Scott publishes the Founders & Friends Podcast, which interviews Startup CEO's, Investors and other service providers in the startup ecosystem.
 
Before Kruze Consulting, Scott was a Partner at Lighthouse Capital, a private debt fund that lends to startups. In addition, Scott ran Community Products at Callisto Media. Prior to joining Lighthouse, Scott spent three years in Technology Mergers & Acquisitions at Hambrecht & Quist which was later acquired by JPMorgan Chase.
 
Scott has an MBA from Kellogg, and an undergraduate business degree from CAL Berkeley. He also has a CFA and has passed the Series 7.
 
 
In this episode, you’ll learn:
 
How do companies get into trouble by having sloppy financials?
What are common tax mistakes that startups make?
When should a company bring in a CFO consultant?
What are some stories from Venture Debt Consulting with startups?
What is it like to grow a company while at the same time becoming a new parent?
 
Help us out!Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a review and rating! It takes less than 30 seconds and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it!
Tweet your comments about this episode directly to Shawn Flynn and the rest of The Investor’s Podcast Community using #TIPSiliconValley.
BOOKS AND RESOURCES
Download yourfree audiobook at Audible.
Find the best job candidate at Ziprecruiter.
Connect with Scott on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Kruze Consulting
Founders & Friends Podcast
 
CONNECT WITH SHAWN:
 
https://linktr.ee/ShawnflynnSV
 
Shawn Flynn’s Twitter Account
Shawn Flynn’s LinkedIn Account
Silicon Valley LinkedIn Group Account
Shawn Flynn’s Facebook Account
Email Shawn@thesiliconvalleypodcast.com
 

042 Supporting Small Businesses with President of National Entreprenuer CenterJerry Ross

On today’s episode, we chat with Jerry Ross. Jerry is an energetic and creative leader who has achieved success leading corporate, start-up, and non-profit organizations. He is a life-long entrepreneur that has been honored as "CEO of the Year" by the Orlando Business Journal, and the "Economic Development Leader of the Year" by I-4 Business Magazine for his work at the National Entrepreneur Center.
 
 
In this episode, you’ll learn:
 
What does it take to be an investible company?
How can a startup ecosystem be built? What is needed?        
What are the resources that are available to startups that they might not know about?
How does a founder find those first big corporate sponsors?
How does a corporate partnership or a pilot program between a startup and a corporation usually work?
What skills can or can’t be taught to a founder of a company?
 
Help us out!Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a review! It takes less than 30 seconds and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it!
 
BOOKS AND RESOURCES
Download yourfree audiobook at Audible.
Find the best job candidate at Ziprecruiter.
Connect with Jerry on LinkedIn
Follow Jerry on Twitter
Email Jerry
National Entrepreneur Center
 
CONNECT WITH SHAWN:
 
https://linktr.ee/ShawnflynnSV
 
Shawn Flynn’s Twitter Account
Shawn Flynn’s LinkedIn Account
Silicon Valley LinkedIn Group Account
Shawn Flynn’s Facebook Account
Email Shawn@thesiliconvalleypodcast.com