“Driving Innovation: DFP Leads the UNDP ‘Meet the Tōshikas’ Program in South Africa”

After a week of assessing promising startups as part of the selection process, and conversing with prominent stakeholders, we took part in the Ecosystem Event organized by the UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub and UNDP South Africa!

As one of the big 4 ecosystems of Africa, South Africa is home to the most innovative startups on the Continent, with a multitude of expansion cases not only across Africa but in Western markets as well.
That said, there is still room for more diverse programs to support founders throughout the startup lifecycle. Our Head of Programs Yannick Gayama called for more Angel-focused programs to raise awareness about the asset class among domestic investors and high-net-worth individuals, thus bridging the pre-early-stage funding gap and siphoning a better quality pipeline toward VCs. Also, more post-accelerator programs, including corporate open innovation support programs and exit preparedness programs for funds and startups alike.
We are ready to support any organization willing to co-design these programs with us (one is already on its way – in South Africa ).

Thanks to the UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub for enabling Double Feather Partners to run such an original program, allowing us to collaborate with the brilliant GrindstoneXL team as our South African partner! Special shout out to Albert Mbithi for leading data collection, Kohei Muto for flying all the way to join the event in person, Rena Yoneyama and Kumiko TAKEKOSHI for accompanying us on this journey, Sachiko Hara for holding things together, and Catherine Young, Cameron Burt, Lucie Fink, Sam Stodel, and Karabo Modingwane for being such amazing hosts and nurturing our South African founders!