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Assuming this device works. And worries about production, commercialization and raising funds in a VC-less environment are bothering these guys what advice wou

Assuming this device works. And worries about production, commercialization and raising funds in a VC-less environment are bothering these guys what advice would you give them? How would they outsource production or fabrication without large capital? Can they sell their device for cash and then produce on demand? I'm asking because once in a while, I read about smart creations from different African nations. In the interviews, a common complaint is "If we can get a sponsor..." And that's where their story ends. Note: African esp. West African transactions is heavily cash based. So crowdfunding is out of the question?

zakum1 8y ago
Actually, East Africa has a vibrant startup and investment scene for both local and global investors. See, for example, http://ventureburn.com/2017/11/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-east-african-startup-landscape/ http://ventureburn.com/2017/11/everything-you-need-to-know-a.... It is worth looking into for talent and opportunities.
- fapjacks 8y ago
  Yes, absolutely! And everyone in Uganda (and Kenya) has a mobile phone, and a lot of people use them for payments since banking isn't universal there, and mobile payments have emerged as a core mechanism for the secure transfer of funds between people (and also e.g. payments to businesses). The article hints at this by saying the test results are "ready to be shared to a mobile phone in a minute". Lots of people focus on Nigeria when talking about the startup scene in Africa, but I rather think it's East Africa that is in a better position to foster a tech industry.
  - indemnity 8y ago
    As a South African, I find it quite interesting how vibrant East and West African tech scenes are... it’s very promising. South Africa is moribund by comparison.
    - Semaphor 8y ago
      Also mobile payment are not as widespread. When I was in PTA 2017, the market I went to just started using zapper and that other similar service. This year I've even seen menlyn mall stores advertise accepting them
cup-of-tea 8y ago
> And worries about production, commercialization and raising funds in a VC-less environment are bothering these guys what advice would you give them? Isn't that what stock markets are for?
Iv 8y ago
Of course on a board owned by Ycombinator this is not the most common opinion, but VCs are not the only way to a successful company. Loans, public funding (national and international), crowdfunding, are all options. You can also produce on demand and have a slightly higher price. For things like malaria treatments, there are tons of international funds, public and private. I mean, one of the biggest, the Gates foundation, has plenty of funds for this kind of programs. Also, a lot of people overestimate the cost of outsourcing manufacturing. A few plane tickets and a few weeks of hostel in Shenzhen with the good people will put you on track to manufacture many devices and probably enough for the 1.0 version that you will sell in a volume of mere thousands. You don't need millions of dollars and volumes of millions. Not anymore.
onetimemanytime 8y ago
>>And worries about production, commercialization and raising funds in a VC-less environment are bothering these guys what advice would you give them? Call Bill Gates /his foundation if he hasn't called you already. You'll walk out rich and with the satisfaction that you're saving tens of million lives.

zakum1 8y ago

Actually, East Africa has a vibrant startup and investment scene for both local and global investors. See, for example, http://ventureburn.com/2017/11/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-east-african-startup-landscape/ http://ventureburn.com/2017/11/everything-you-need-to-know-a.... It is worth looking into for talent and opportunities.

fapjacks 8y ago
Yes, absolutely! And everyone in Uganda (and Kenya) has a mobile phone, and a lot of people use them for payments since banking isn't universal there, and mobile payments have emerged as a core mechanism for the secure transfer of funds between people (and also e.g. payments to businesses). The article hints at this by saying the test results are "ready to be shared to a mobile phone in a minute". Lots of people focus on Nigeria when talking about the startup scene in Africa, but I rather think it's East Africa that is in a better position to foster a tech industry.
- indemnity 8y ago
  As a South African, I find it quite interesting how vibrant East and West African tech scenes are... it’s very promising. South Africa is moribund by comparison.
  - Semaphor 8y ago
    Also mobile payment are not as widespread. When I was in PTA 2017, the market I went to just started using zapper and that other similar service. This year I've even seen menlyn mall stores advertise accepting them

cup-of-tea 8y ago

> And worries about production, commercialization and raising funds in a VC-less environment are bothering these guys what advice would you give them? Isn't that what stock markets are for?

Iv 8y ago

Of course on a board owned by Ycombinator this is not the most common opinion, but VCs are not the only way to a successful company. Loans, public funding (national and international), crowdfunding, are all options. You can also produce on demand and have a slightly higher price. For things like malaria treatments, there are tons of international funds, public and private. I mean, one of the biggest, the Gates foundation, has plenty of funds for this kind of programs. Also, a lot of people overestimate the cost of outsourcing manufacturing. A few plane tickets and a few weeks of hostel in Shenzhen with the good people will put you on track to manufacture many devices and probably enough for the 1.0 version that you will sell in a volume of mere thousands. You don't need millions of dollars and volumes of millions. Not anymore.

onetimemanytime 8y ago

>>And worries about production, commercialization and raising funds in a VC-less environment are bothering these guys what advice would you give them? Call Bill Gates /his foundation if he hasn't called you already. You'll walk out rich and with the satisfaction that you're saving tens of million lives.