S01E14 Crown Castê: Caleb Maru

Caleb is managing partner at Proximity Ventures, a fund which invests in early stage startups accelerating Africa. He’s also a scout for global funds looking to invest on the continent. Caleb built Entry Level, an education platform for tech talent in emerging markets which has helped over 50,000 tech workers across Africa. He also writes a popular bi-weekly newsletter called Tech Safari, which ‘simplifies African tech’.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
1. Caleb's Journey into the African Tech Ecosystem:
What were some of the key experiences and challenges during Caleb's initial startup phase?
How has Caleb's background in tech education informed his current work in African tech investing and writing?

2. Navigating the Venture Capital Landscape in Africa:
What inspired Caleb to raise a fund dedicated to investing in African startups?
What types of companies does Caleb target for investment and what key factors does he consider?
How does Caleb's close proximity to his founders contribute to his investment strategy?

3. The Role of Tech Safari in the African Tech Ecosystem:
How did Caleb start Tech Safari and why does it focus on breaking down complex tech subjects into digestible stories?
How has Tech Safari managed to grow its readership base in such a short time?
How does Caleb's work with Tech Safari help his investment activities?

4. The Intersection of Media and Investment in the African Tech Scene:
Why did Caleb decide to expand his fund's investment size and the time taken to finalize an investment?
How does Caleb's storytelling approach on Tech Safari aid the companies he invests in?
How does Caleb differentiate his fund from other VCs through his work with Tech Safari?

5. Spotlight on Successful Investments and Future Trends:
What are the crucial elements Caleb looks for in a potential investment opportunity?
What are Caleb's predictions for future tech trends in Africa, especially in the payments space and phone technology?

Contact Info:
Caleb’s Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebmaru