Every time Investors & ecosystem accelerators, people like Antler, YC, and others, celebrate startups hitting $1M MRR, I pause.
It’s inspiring, but it makes me wonder,
What happens to the founders still building?
The ones still pre-revenue, pre-funding, still fighting to prove their product deserves to exist.
If recognition only comes after the million mark, what message are we sending to the builders who are still in the trenches?
Because every startup that’s now celebrated once lived below $1M MRR, bootstrapping, struggling, surviving on belief.
The truth is, early-stage founders are the lifeblood of the ecosystem.
They deserve support too, not just applause when they “make it.”
We need structured funding at every stage,
Grants for validation,
Bootstrapping and community capital for MVPs,
Seed and growth funds for scale.
Investors shouldn’t only fund success, they should help create it.
So build, get customers, and when capital comes, let it find you already in motion.
— Safaya Ikechukwu Ndubueze
Product and Growth Manager | “Let’s make Africa build again.”
#BuildInAfrica #FounderLife #EcosystemBuilding #AfricanTech #Investors
