S02E03 Crown Castê: Léna-Lou Simon-Virolle

Welcome to Crown Castê, your financial literacy podcast for small businesses. We publish inspiring, insightful conversations with investors and stewards of capital. In this episode, our host Nzube Ufodike speaks with Léna-Lou Simon-Virolle, a venture capital expert and founding member of Ryad, a firm dedicated to investing in African founders. Léna-Lou shares her unique journey from France to the UK, Asia, and finally to Africa, highlighting the importance of innovation and addressing the funding gap for African entrepreneurs. Léna-Lou shares how Ryad VC envisions investment opportunities in the African market and what they look for in startups. She explains how VCs and other investors can feel confident about emerging market investments through a focus on good practices, trust and connectivity. Takeaways • Léna-Lou's journey reflects a global perspective on venture capital. • Ryad focuses on addressing the funding gap for African founders. • The African VC ecosystem is still developing and requires local understanding. • Unicorns should be defined by their impact and connectivity, not just valuation. • Investing in Africa requires a hands-on approach to support founders. • Building purposeful businesses is key to long-term success. • Founders should have a realistic plan and understand resource allocation. • Networking and global awareness are crucial for success in venture capital. • Active involvement in the UK investment scene and beyond. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Léna-Lou's Journey into the Investment Space 02:00 Locations and Sectors 04:40 Reproducing VC Ecosystems in Africa 07:07 The Future of the African Ecosystem 10:26 Redefining Unicorns in Africa 15:16 Investment Approach: Check Sizes and Leading or Following Rounds 18:10 Demonstrating a Realistic Plan 20:27 Engaging with Diverse Sectors and Regions 21:54 Reaching Out: LinkedIn and Quarterly Reports