6:52C: And That is really a problem. And so, and that is really a problem. And so what we realize is that there is an actual feedback that we are hearing from funders related to how investments in Africa is going on. It’s hard to see Africa is going on. It’s hard to see how does this materialize in value? How do we actually make sure that in value? How do we actually make sure that whoever we back, we can continuously follow up and back? So there’s a lot of money that’s been thrown out. It really is a bad reputation that we’re getting. That really means that there’s a sense of exposure, almost you would say even an investor bias that we have, meaning investors don’t necessarily buy into the business.
6:52C: They actually invest and buy into the business. They actually invest and we realize that, okay, we realize that, okay, basically this is not helping us at all, right? So there’s almost -- basically this is not helping us at all, right? So there’s almost -- you’re kind of really investing in people, not necessarily in the business. And speak the language that the VCs are used to and the VCs are used to and they can’t really relate to you. most of the time what happens is they can’t really relate to you. Most of the time what happens is they won’t back you. That’s just the reality, right? They back, you know, it’s the vast majority of you.
6:52C: I mean, let’s be honest, right? Like, this is a tiny, you know, population that founders that get to have that exposure. So that is really what we realized. And I’ll hand it over to KK to just kind of like, you know, share how we’re thinking about this and what are the potential Thank you.
8:45B: If you could please just go back just for the slide, I want to just highlight something and add on. Thank you. I want to just highlight something and add on.
8:52A: Thank you.
8:52B: One thing that we’ve realized by being in this space as well is that most of us are focusing on the technology, right?
9:01A: It is so important to stress that there is the entire ecosystem that is needed. Other aspect of who are the founders as people invest into people, and especially because we’re not sitting here with Series A, B, C companies. So now realize, think about it, you have about a million shillings and you want to invest in someone so early. What is it that really matters at the end of the day? Is that trust that that person would be able to sort of give to you?
9:33B: My portfolio, is something that I have not invested in.
9:37A: What do I mean by that? People pivoted. Their business is not at all what I’ve initially invested in. But what is -- and the integrity to basically take that money and run with it no matter what. So what does that mean? It means that us as founders here in Africa, when we are coming up and facing any sort of funder, and when we say funder, it sort of follows as Kevin said, culture in a way. So what do we mean by that? Let’s meet people halfway. And let’s be real, not many of us will have the chance to go and study abroad. To meet us halfway, but that means that we have to do the other halfway.
9:37A: That means understanding how their brain works. That means going out there and adapting. And adapting versus expecting. Versus expecting. The adaptation fail, and this is how you make potentially a little bit of a difference. That’s number one. But again, who is doing that? It’s not going to be protocols. It is not going to be chains. I’m real. We’re talking here for stocknet. We’re not going to. And those are the Web three clubs of Nairobi. Those are the Web three bridge of Nigeria. Those are the other guys that are on the ground understanding, helping them how they empower them so that they can actually convey that to the local people.
9:37A: So that when you come, you are that support, that mentor that can help them throughout the whole journey. And I’m not talking about hackathons or developer bootcamps or whatever. It’s a permanent thing that you get out of it and you’re ready to be exposed to any investor that is coming and you’ll be comfortable pitching yourself and getting their money. Access and flexibility. No exclusivity. I’m saying this again from a protocol. Please, let’s get out of that very dangerous approach of asking builders, if you want to get my money, please come and build on my chain. We have to empower our entrepreneurs from Africa to learn so many skills that they become bankable.
9:37A: Bankable to be out there and say, now I can choose depending on what I’m building, wherever I want to go. If I’m a gaming developer, I better be on a chain that is excellent in gaming. But I’m happy to have funded those guys that will end up on the chain. Thank you. Basically, market. You go, you get a diploma, you get out there, and you have different jobs, right? We just have to be ready for those jobs. So please, I’m calling all ecosystem protocols, whatever, that are, you know, either here or listening. Let’s work together. Great for them, because we gotta re-put the focus on the importance for the founders, not for the chains themselves.
9:37A: Three ecosystem collaboration again. This is going to be a process with everyone. We have an idea that they become bankable for a fund to invest equity in them. I am very -- I’m feeling sometimes powerless when I’m hearing people pitching
