"AI is saving us a lot of money, but also a lot of time." -Nicolas Boucher, #DDVC Summit. #Fintech founders, the question isn’t whether you should be leveraging #AI, but how. How are you using AI, automation, and #tech to #scale smarter and move faster? #StartupGrowth

The #DDVC Summit is live and we’re watching a session on ‘The Future of #Portfolio Intelligence’. At #GrindstoneVentures, we know that scaling #startups isn’t just about #funding, but about data-driven insights that guide growth, risk management and strategic decisions.

It’s day 3 at the #DataDrivenVC Summit and we’re in a session with Adam Shuaib on ‘What makes a #seed-stage #startup thrive?’ A critical factor to explore is the ‘unconventional data’: the less measurable information such as personality-based and behavioural-based #data.

Excited for the session today on ‘Next-Gen GTM Insights’ at the #DDVC Summit. We know our partners Thinkroom Consulting are the GTM experts in #Africa but sometimes we like to give them a run for their money. Need a #GTM plan? Get in touch with the experts: [email protected]

Introducing Grindstone Ventures Portfolio Company Sticitt, a dynamic force driving social transformation in critical industries through #tech in SA. Watch our video to learn more about how Sticitt’s unique culture drives its “purpose before profit” mindset for a better future!

And with that, Dan Mabbyalas has kicked off the AfricArena 2025 Johannesburg Summit! We’re looking forward to meeting Africa’s best tech startups who will be taking the stage to pitch their ideas later today. Are you one of them? #TechStartups #DeepTech #TechInAfrica

The State of #TechinAfrica panel is up! It's clear that #funding slowed down significantly in 2024 in #Africa. But, this provides us with an opportunity for #growth in 2025, and early movements this year have already suggested the funding landscape might be changing.

The 'how blockchain & stablecoins are changing cross-border payments' panel discussion is live. Startups are breaking barriers & building bridges to make cross-border financial services more accessible & efficient. #Fintech is empowering communities and driving #economicgrowth.

Say hello to Cure Root , a #startup we met yesterday at AfricArena's Jozi Summit. Cureroot is pioneering #African plant-based, data-driven solutions that address chronic illnesses and improve quality of life, while using #AI. Visit cure-root.com.

Meet Fabe DX, a #startup empowering #SMEs to unlock the power of #AI without hassles or high costs. They’re making AI adoption simple, affordable, and accessible by guiding SMEs through every step of the #transformation journey. Check them out: fabedx.ai

Catherine Young is heading to the #2025P4G Summit in Vietnam to speak on “Boosting Climate Tech: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships” & judge standout startups in the Innovation Hub. These are the conversations that drive high-impact progress. #ClimateTech #ScalingImpact

And we’re live from London! Christophe Viarnaud has taken the stage to open the AfricArena London Summit 2025. African tech startups, are you ready to show the world what serious innovation looks like? It’s your stage, so make it count. #AfricanInnovation #AfricArena2025

The first wave of pitches is underway at the AfricArena London Summit. We’ve seen #Fintech, #HRtech, #Edtech and more. These seed-stage startups are paving the foundation for Africa’s next wave of growth. #StartupPitch #SeedStage #Innovation #AfricArena2025 #LondonSummit

We’re hearing a keynote from the founder of Save Your Wardrobe, on her journey of scaling a #startup in #Africa. "We decided to #pivot." "We had to pivot again." #Scaling a startup isn’t a straight line. It takes grit, staying agile, and moving quickly. saveyourwardrobe.com

That’s a wrap on the #LondonSummit with AfricArena! Big respect to the founders who pitched, built, & showed up today. We saw the grind behind the glory too. Africa’s startup game? Stronger than ever. Onwards and upwards. #TechStartups #Innovation #AfricArena2025

We officially welcome Chicken Bar into the Grindstone Ventures x MIC collective family! Our first startup has been selected for MIC's funding-readiness programme. If you’re in Jozi & craving chicken, Chicken Bar is the spot. Trust us, we’ve taste-tested. Repeatedly. For DD.

The Grindstone Accelerator Programme, with E Squared Investments, is open for founder applications. Apply here: survey.alchemer.com/s3/8327234/Gri… (Ts and Cs apply)

We’re live at the E Squared Investments 2025 Annual Impact Report Launch & Showcase, where Nazeem Martin just delivered a powerful reflection on what real #impact means. Can you drive #measurable #change and deliver strong returns? The debate has been raging for decades. We say yes.

"Can we do good while doing well?" The E Squared Impact Report says yes. E Squared Investments's Gladwyn Leeuw reminds us: there doesn’t need to be a trade-off between #impact & #performance. With R1.02b #invested, 32451 jobs supported, and 44% growth in FMV, this is scaling with purpose.

That’s a wrap from the E Squared Investments Impact Report Launch & Showcase! Huge thanks to the team for creating space for connection, reflection, & action. And to all the familiar faces we got to high-five along the way, always a joy to cross paths! Until next time. #Entrepreneurship