Newtown Partners Insights

Credit has always been the sensible sibling of venture: steady, rule-bound SME-lending firmly rooted in the physical economy. For most of Africa’s financial history, it’s meant factories, fleets, real estate, and assets you can touch. Collateral you can measure, [...]

As Africa’s technology markets mature, the most interesting opportunities aren’t defined by new industries, but by better business models — the ones that turn liquidity into leverage and make capital productive. African investing is often described in sectors: agriculture, [...]

At Newtown Partners, we’ve built a reputation for leaning into the uncomfortable edges of venture capital: investing in the overlooked markets, the founders with unpolished accents, and the industries the “smart money” dismissed…right up until they didn’t. Photo [...]

We’re excited to share some exciting news about key developments in our leadership team at Newtown Partners that will drive our continued growth and expansion into new investment opportunities. Left: Akash Maharaj Right: Lesego Tladinyane First, congratulations [...]

After years of serving on various boards and committees, I've witnessed countless disputes that could have derailed important initiatives. The most frustrating moments weren’t the disagreements themselves—conflict is natural and often healthy in governance—but watching well-intentioned people dig into [...]

Every company today seems to believe its sitting on a data goldmine, with "monetize data" appearing on strategic roadmaps across industries. The narrative is compelling: transform raw data from startups into revenue, unlock hidden value, and create new business [...]

One of the more overlooked revenue levers to boost SaaS profitability is using an annual renewal fee layered on top of standard monthly pricing. It’s a deceptively simple tactic: charge an additional annual fee, often equivalent to 1–3 months [...]

Venture Capital’s relentless focus on product-market fit has become startup gospel, but this singular obsession obscures a more nuanced reality. Like a general who perfectly equips an army but sends it to the wrong battlefield, founders often build exceptional [...]

The market is saturated. Every startup pitch contains the inevitable "what makes us different" slide. True market differentiation isn't a marketing exercise. It's rare. It's real. It's the difference between companies that scale and those that fail. Photo [...]

If you’ve been anywhere near tech Twitter recently, you've probably heard the buzz about "founder mode" - that mythical state of superhuman productivity and vision that supposedly separates the unicorn-builders from the also-rans. As someone who's been in the [...]

Startups are hard.  For founders, navigating the startup acquisition landscape requires strategic foresight and meticulous planning. While early days feel like building a bicycle while riding it, the mantra "failing to plan is planning to fail" holds especially true. [...]

In the life cycle of every startup, there comes a pivotal moment when board meetings transition from informal discussions to structured gatherings. Usually catalyzed by fresh funding or adding a new board member, this shift marks a significant milestone [...]

The way in which individuals are diagnosed and obtain their prescription medications is changing worldwide. A sector once firmly rooted in physical doctors’ rooms and pharmacies is gradually evolving to embrace a digital experience with home delivery, facilitated by [...]

We recently invested in Complete Farmer, a digital marketplace that enables global corporations to source agricultural commodities directly from smallholder farmers across Africa. The agritech startup, based in Ghana, addresses challenges experienced by smallholder farmers, including financing, infrastructure, and [...]

Africa, often referred to as the "next frontier market," is poised for a transformation that could reshape the global economic landscape. With its rapidly growing population, increased digital access, and immense economic growth potential, Africa presents a compelling investment [...]

Trade plays a vital role in fuelling economic growth and fostering cooperation among nations. At the heart of global trade is supply chain finance, which manages financial flows, events, and processes among partners throughout a supply chain. However, traditional [...]