Condia writes about African startups and tech — and we love uncovering the latest scoops on Africa’s startup and tech ecosystem.
But we also don’t want to write about everything happening.
So… what news do we want to cover?
What we consider news
Here are a few things we would count as newsworthy:
- Major funding rounds or VC deals (we’ll delve deeper into specifics shortly).
- High-profile acquisitions involving tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.
- Data-driven insights that reveal unexpected trends or patterns (derived from annual reports, hiring statistics, or other sources).
- Groundbreaking technological advancements with the potential to disrupt industries.
- High-profile endorsements or partnerships that generate significant buzz.
- Insightful or controversial statements or actions from prominent founders.
- Major regulation change or announcement from the government.
Note: We’re more likely to cover your news if it’s an exclusive. We’ll always provide prompt feedback, whether it’s a yes or a no.
What we don’t consider news
- A feature or product launch
- A new market launch
- Something unrelated to Africa or that doesn’t affect Africa
- A new hire (we may cover in a newsletter but not as a standalone piece)
Now let’s talk about funding rounds
While we don’t cover every single one, some key factors make a round newsworthy for us:
Prominent Players: Is it a well-established African company raising a significant amount from renowned investors? Think of names like the top 10 most valuable VC-backed companies in Africa.
Impactful Amounts: Does the funding amount represent a major milestone for the company and the African tech ecosystem?
If it’s a smaller round, we’ll consider a few things:
- Alignment with our focus: Does the startup fit within our core areas of Fintech, AI, health tech, eCommerce, or Mobility?
- Investor pedigree: Are top-tier VCs or renowned angel investors involved?
- Founder’s profile: Does the founder have a compelling story, such as overcoming adversity, pioneering a new field, or achieving notable success?
- Geographic significance: Is the round a record-breaker for a specific region or a milestone for a particular ecosystem?
- Round size and structure: Does the funding amount or the investor lineup stand out?
- Company’s trajectory: Have we previously covered the startup? We enjoy following companies’ growth journeys.
- Business model innovation: Does the company offer a unique solution or address a critical market need?
None of these factors surpasses any other one. The dynamics of fundraising from VC firms haven’t changed much over the years. We enjoy spotlighting new funds that offer a compelling narrative beyond the capital raised.
How to get in touch
Send news — and ideally exclusive news — to team@thecondia.com. All the editors get this email, so someone will pick it up.
Please do not spam multiple members of the Condia team with the same news pitch.
Give us time
Our team is small, so advance notice of your announcements is essential for us to provide the best possible coverage. Ideally, we would appreciate several days’ notice. For embargoed funding news and interview coordination, early communication is particularly helpful.
