The newsletter discusses the importance of treating investments in African startups through venture capital as learning experiences. It draws parallels between the scientific method and investing, emphasizing the value of repeatable experiments and the need to interpret results correctly. The author highlights the significance of recognizing patterns and conducting randomized uncontrolled trials to uncover lessons in venture investing. Several patterns in African venture capital are identified, including the market demanding more sophistication, the consideration of PE-lite venture capital models, the need for growth-stage funds, and a shift away from valuation obsession. The newsletter also emphasizes the importance of maturity and learning from the cycle of investment, as well as the potential for sharing successful strategies with the global venture investment community. Treating investing as experimentation is encouraged, with the aim of understanding the patterns and value in the startup ecosystem. The author speculates that fear of what the data might reveal and a focus on personal investment may hinder the study of ventures, while also emphasizing the need to pay attention to the impact of startups and technology on society.

Read the newsletter on TechCabal The NextWave