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Why New Companies and Startups Fail | Tekedia Startup Masterclass

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In the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship, startups play a pivotal role in driving innovation and reshaping industries. These newly established companies, often rooted in the tech sector, embody the spirit of creativity and risk-taking that underpins entrepreneurial endeavors. Central to their success is a deep commitment to user-centric product development, where understanding, meeting and exceeding customer needs are paramount. This approach not only fosters market relevance, but also cultivates a loyal customer base critical for sustainable growth. 

Moreover, the significance of team dynamics cannot be overstated; diverse founding teams bring varied perspectives and skill sets that enhance problem-solving capabilities and foster creativity. As startups navigate challenges such as securing funding, making strategic decisions, and balancing innovation with market demands, perseverance, dedication, and adaptability, certain traits are catalytic for entrepreneurial success.

In this Tekedia Startup Masterclass course – Why New Companies and Startups Fail –, we share some lessons we have identified that separate startups that succeed from those which do not. In all elements, the number #1 enabler for success is making products and services that customers want. If you can make your customers fans, you will win their wallets, and if you can win their wallets, you have succeeded. Yes, when customers LOVE your products, most problems in your startup will disappear because you are growing; everyone becomes a star. (Our goal is to provide you with knowledge systems to ensure your company thrives.)

Thriving as a startup goes beyond ideas; it is all about execution and nothing but execution. And that means, delivering on the products, designed to fix frictions in the markets. That is why after discussing the factors you must avoid if you hope to thrive (we hope so), we have this equation:

Great Company := Awesome Product + Superior Execution

(Note, we did not say “idea’ because idea means nothing. It is execution which enables ideas to become products, and that is what brings the wins).

With this revelation, you can do things to ensure your company or startup thrives! Register today.

Nigerian Government Lauds Moniepoint’s Contributions to The Growth of The Informal Economy

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The federal government of Nigeria has commended payment processing Platform Moniepoint for its immense contribution towards to the growth of the nation’s informal economy.

The Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima restated the government’s unvarnished commitment to deepening economic and financial inclusion in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that financial inclusion is a core component and the government is making a lot of efforts to ensure that the vulnerable in society have safety nets as exemplified by the ASO accord which was signed this year.  

He made this statement in Abuja, while speaking as principal guest of honour at the launch of the 2024 Nigeria Informal Economy Report powered by Moniepoint in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment. 

Moniepoint’s Nigeria’s Informal Economy Report 2024 offers fresh insights for individuals and organizations interested in understanding the dynamics of Nigeria’s informal economy and shaping a more inclusive and sustainable economic landscape.

Some of the key insights from the report include:

  • The youthful demographic is a critical driving force of Nigeria’s informal economy, with over 57.7% of business owners under 34 years old.

  • There is an untapped earning potential that is prevalent in the informal segment, with the average monthly income below N250,000 while on the higher end of the spectrum, only about 1.3% of businesses in Nigeria’s informal economy earn above N2.5 million monthly.

  • Retail and General Trade is the leading industry within the informal economy, making up 24% of all informal businesses.

  • The reality that unemployment is the primary driver for starting a business by many players in the informal sector.

Sen Shettima, represented by the Technical Adviser to the President on Economic & Financial Inclusion, Dr. Nurudeen Abubakar Zauro, acknowledged and appreciated the role of players in the informal space, especially Moniepoint.

We can all remember during the Covid-19 lockdown and the recent currency changes, there were a lot of challenges and we saw agencies like this come together and save the country at that point. This is because of the flexible initiatives they brought into the space, especially last-mile delivery by providing a platform that allowed people to successfully transact. SMEDAN’s innovative streak has also been very commendable”, he said.  

In his opening remarks, Managing Director, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, Babatunde Olofin, lauded operators of informal businesses for the high degree of flexibility and innovation they exhibit in adapting quickly to changing market conditions.

Highlighting their economic significance, he said that the informal economy contributes substantially to Nigeria’s GDP and can be effectively mobilized to unleash Nigeria’s full economic potential and provide much needed support to the most vulnerable households in our society.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who formally launched the report, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting small business operators in the informal sector of the economy. She pointed out that the informal sector, which often appears to be forgotten, would henceforth begin to enjoy government’s interventions and incentives.

She said,

“We are really grateful to Moniepoint for conducting this report. It gives us the basis and foundation now to provide targeted intervention as part of the government’s approach to supporting the informal economy. This segment plays a significant role in the Nigerian economy, we can now bring them up to enjoy incentives that the government is providing to the broader economy as well”.

Also delivering a goodwill message, the Chairman, House Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Hon. Mansur Manu Soro, said the House was taking deliberate steps to prioritize women operating in the informal sector and end gender disparity in earnings. He expressed the National Assembly’s commitment to give the report its full attention, subjecting it to the necessary review and internalizing it while lauding Moniepoint for its positive impact in pushing financial inclusion.

Chief Executive Officer, Moniepoint Inc, Tosin Eniolorunda in his foreword provided the rationale for the report, “In just a few years, over 2 million businesses, many within the informal economy, have chosen Moniepoint as their essential growth partner. The commitment we feel to this sector inspired the creation of this report. By quantifying the informal economy’s impacts and nuances, we can better shape policies and programs to empower and uplift the entrepreneurs driving it forward. Their success is inextricably linked to Nigeria’s continued growth and development.” 

In a keynote presentation, Director General/CEO SMEDAN, Charles Odii, said that small businesses are the engine of the Nigerian economy and most of Nigeria’s approximately 40 million small businesses reside in the informal sector. He noted that these businesses which are born of both necessity and entrepreneurial zeal, exemplify the famous Nigerian ‘hustling’ while affirming that the agency is working to formalize these businesses and bring them into the formal sector to increase access to important resources such as finance.

Furthermore, Odii articulated SMEDAN’s agenda aimed at accelerating growth and prosperity for small businesses as encapsulated in the acronym ‘GROW’: Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce support.

Crypto Weekend Roundup

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Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, recently proposed a more automated approach to countering 51% attacks on the Ethereum network. During his keynote at the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) in Brussels, Buterin emphasized the need for Ethereum to enhance its defenses against such attacks through automation.

A 51% attack occurs when a malicious entity gains majority control of a blockchain’s hashing power, allowing them to alter transactions and disrupt the network. Traditionally, responses to these attacks rely heavily on community consensus to decide on actions like adopting a fork of the blockchain.

Buterin’s proposal involves developing automated software for Ethereum validators. This software would enable nodes to detect censorship and automatically counter censor the majority chain, reducing the need for manual intervention and social consensus. By focusing on automation, Buterin aims to streamline the response process and enhance the network’s resilience against potential attacks.

Binance Negotiates to Sell Gopax Stake in South Korea

Binance is in the final stages of negotiations to sell a majority stake in the South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Gopax to Megazone, a local cloud service provider. This move will reduce Binance’s stake in Gopax from 72.6% to around 10%.

The sale is driven by regulatory requirements in South Korea, which aim to enhance the governance structure of local exchanges. These regulations include the need for real-name account contracts and stricter oversight of crypto deposits. Binance’s decision to sell its stake is part of its strategy to comply with these new laws and maintain its presence in the South Korean market.

This development marks a significant shift for Binance, which had re-entered the South Korean market in 2023 by acquiring a majority stake in Gopax. The sale is expected to be finalized soon, ensuring that Gopax can continue to operate under the new regulatory framework.

FTX on Jump $264M Trading Claims

The FTX bankruptcy estate is currently disputing a $264 million claim made by Jump Trading’s subsidiary, Tai Mo Shan. This claim revolves around an undelivered loan of 800 million Serum (SRM) tokens from Alameda Research. Jump Trading argues that the failure to deliver these tokens warrants the damages claimed. However, FTX’s lawyers contend that since the loan never commenced, the claim is invalid.

The dispute highlights the complexities of the FTX bankruptcy proceedings and the challenges in resolving claims related to cryptocurrency transactions. The FTX legal team also questions the valuation method used by Jump Trading, describing it as flawed and lacking clear documentation. This case underscores the ongoing legal battles in the aftermath of FTX’s collapse.

Malaysian Crypto Miners Stole $722M Worth of Power

Malaysian authorities have reported that crypto miners in the country have stolen approximately $722 million worth of electricity over the past six years. This massive power theft has been linked to illegal cryptocurrency mining operations, which have been bypassing electricity meters to avoid detection and reduce costs.

The Malaysian Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, highlighted the detrimental impact of these activities on the country’s energy sector and economy. The government has prioritized stopping electricity theft and has implemented various methods to detect unusual energy consumption.

This issue underscores the broader challenges associated with cryptocurrency mining, particularly its high energy consumption and potential for illegal activities. The Malaysian government continues to take stringent measures to curb these practices and promote renewable energy sources.

BitMEX Pleads Quity to Bank Secrecy Violations

BitMEX, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, has pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). This plea comes after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) found that BitMEX failed to establish and maintain an adequate anti-money laundering (AML) program from 2015 to 2020.

The BSA requires financial institutions to implement measures to prevent money laundering and other illicit activities. BitMEX’s failure to comply with these regulations allowed it to be used for large-scale money laundering and sanctions evasion schemes. The company admitted to these violations, highlighting the importance of adhering to U.S. financial laws.

This case underscores the growing scrutiny on cryptocurrency platforms to ensure they follow legal requirements designed to protect the integrity of the financial system.

The Lesson from MicroStrategy on Absolute Convictions in Business

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This is the business: I will keep buying Bitcoin, and I will stay stubborn on that singular mission, rain or sunshine. Yes, provided there are still Bitcoins to be bought, I will just be buying. It is left for you to decide if I know what I am doing, but I am very sure that I know where I am going, and the destination is self-evident: I will make money for my shareholders. One American company, MicroStrategy, has been doing just that: buy, buy, buy and buy Bitcoin.

What MicroStrategy does requires absolute committed believers. Can you imagine the outcome? Alpha moment: “The decision comes after a period of substantial growth for MicroStrategy, with its share price tripling over the past year, largely attributed to its Bitcoin rally…

“MicroStrategy’s approach to its treasury reserves is unique in the corporate world. The company considers itself the world’s first Bitcoin development company and has been accumulating Bitcoin, which serves as its primary treasury reserve asset. This bold strategy has not only differentiated MicroStrategy from its competitors but has also attracted significant attention from investors interested in cryptocurrency’s potential. “

Please I am not asking you to go and buy any coin; I am merely focusing on the need to have convictions in life, and avoid being tossed around like a lifeless feather. The CEO of this company was kicked out because many considered him lost, but today, the alpha moment is here.  Yes, everyone is happy because they have made tons of money for people.

Good People, in this amazing world, people with convictions define and build the future. The heat they gave Michael J. Saylor was unprecedented. But look, from less than $320 per share to even topping $1600 per share within a year, the success has triggered a need for a stock split. And you will remind me that they have no strategy. Thank you – but not having a strategy and quadrupling in 12 months is the best strategy out there!

Exploring MicroStrategy’s 10-for-1 Stock Split

BlockDAG X1 App Launch Excites Investors & Pushes Presale to $57.4M, Luring ChainLink Whales Amid KASPA Price Decline

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After the awaited release, BlockDAG has made waves, launching its X1 Miner App on the Apple Store and pushing its presale to hit $57.4 million from selling over 12 billion coins. This App simplifies mining operations and enhances user engagement. Investors can start mining immediately on Devnet and determine how much they will make using the mining profitability calculator.

BlockDAG positions itself among the top-rated cryptocurrencies for its innovative approach and community-driven ethos. Meanwhile, recent developments on ChainLink whales accumulated millions in $LINK tokens despite analysts warning of a possible price correction. However, KASPA’s price trended even after witnessing an 11% decline last week.

ChainLink Whales Amass Millions of $LINK Token

ChainLink whales have accumulated over 6.2 million $LINK tokens in the past week, amounting to approximately $76.88 million. Data from Lookonchain reveals that 90 new wallets recently withdrew about 6.72 million $LINK from Binance, indicating strong investor sentiment. Moreover, in the last 24 hours alone, 50 notable wallets have withdrawn 1.31 million $LINK.

Despite this bullish accumulation by ChainLink whales, market analysts warn of a potential price correction signalled by the TD Sequential indicator on the 4-hour chart. This suggests a short-term decline following recent highs, emphasising the need for cautious monitoring amidst strong institutional confidence in Chainlink’s prospects.

KASPA Price Trends Up Despite Recent Decline

Despite a recent 11.80% decline in the last 7 days, KASPA’s overall trend remains bullish, buoyed by positive market sentiment and expectations of increased market cap. Following a 20% surge reported on June 30, the stock faced a subsequent downturn, causing concern among long-term holders.

However, analysts remain optimistic about KASPA’s potential for significant market cap growth, citing favourable historical data and strong fundamentals. The Aroon line indicates a robust uptrend, supported by a positive directional movement indicator and a largely positive weighted funding rate, signalling bullish sentiment and potential for continued price appreciation above its recent resistance level.

Unleashing Mining Mastery: The X1 Miner App by BlockDAG

The hype around The X1 Miner App launch on the Apple store is palpable, as it stands as a cornerstone within the BlockDAG ecosystem, revolutionising the mining concept for newcomers and experienced miners.

Designed to optimise user interaction and efficiency, this app simplifies the mining process and enhances transaction management, enabling users to harvest up to 20 BDAG coins daily. The app’s referral program further enriches its community-driven framework, rewarding users for fostering a collaborative mining network.

At the heart of the app is the Home Screen, which serves as the operational hub where miners can kickstart their journey by pressing the “Activate BlockDAG X1” button. This screen also allows users to check their BDAG balances and tailor their mining schedules with an intuitive session countdown timer.

The Side Menu offers seamless navigation through various sections, including the dashboard overview in Home, group management in Group, competitive standings in Leaderboard, personalised settings in Settings, and a helpful FAQ section for troubleshooting.

Another dynamic feature of the app, the Leaderboard, cultivates a sense of community and rivalry by displaying rankings and earnings across different time frames—weekly, monthly, and yearly. This fosters camaraderie and competition, making the X1 Miner App a pivotal tool for engaging with top-rated cryptocurrencies.

Additionally, BlockDAG’s mining profitability calculator on their website guides investors to project their potential earnings based on BDAG’s current coin value, illustrating a clear path to reaching $200 daily earnings once the coin value hits $10. This functionality empowers miners with real-time profitability insights and underscores the substantial earning potential within the BlockDAG ecosystem.

Summary

Compared to ChainLink whales taking a big risk when price correction occurs and KASPA’s price volatility, BlockDAG distinguishes itself with stable growth prospects and user-centric features. The X1 Miner App’s ability to yield up to 20 BDAG coins daily, coupled with a dynamic Leaderboard and comprehensive mining profitability calculator on the website, underscores its value proposition.

As institutional confidence wavers in other cryptocurrencies, BlockDAG remains a steadfast choice for investors. With its forward-thinking technology and emphasis on community collaboration, BlockDAG stands out among top-rated cryptocurrencies as a strategic investment opportunity.

Join BlockDAG Presale Now:

Website: https://blockdag.network

Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network

Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial

Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu