Techparley Africa, in partnership with Cerespark Labs, has held a high-impact Startup Masterclass designed exclusively for founders registered under its DRIVE100 programme, delivering practical strategies on securing venture capital and navigating the pressures of early-stage fundraising.
DRIVE100 is Techparley’s media accelerator initiative where 100 promising startups across Africa were spotlighted and supported through editorial visibility, training, and strategic exposure.
The session, held on Saturday, 22 November 2025 via Google Meet, brought together emerging entrepreneurs and industry experts for a morning of learning, networking, and tactical insights.
What You Should Know
The masterclass focused heavily on what it takes to build an investment-ready startup in today’s competitive African ecosystem.
The participants went through frameworks for strengthening business models, adapting to shifting markets, and using data to make compelling pitches.
Founders received guidance on understanding VC expectations, communicating traction effectively, and positioning their companies for long-term sustainability.
The discussion also highlighted how startups can leverage technology, storytelling, and strategic partnerships to stand out.
“The insight we received in today’s masterclass is very valuable, and we will surely be working on all the points raised by the facilitators,” Surveyor Okoye Kehinde, Executive Director at Kenttimo Limited, said of the Masterclass. “The fact that Techparley is doing all this shows love and desire to see people succeed.”
Meet the Facilitators
Cerespark Labs is an accelerator and innovation lab dedicated to empowering the next generation of African entrepreneurs. Founded by Ifeanyi Godsfavour, a multidisciplinary entrepreneur and strategist with a track record of building high-growth ventures and securing funding through angel investment, crowdfunding, and customer-backed sponsorships, the lab helps founders turn emerging ideas into scalable, investment-ready businesses.
Inspired by leaders like Ezenwa Okoro, co-founder with Nzoputachi Samuel and a seasoned entrepreneur who has supported numerous founders and helped over 20 businesses secure funding, Cerespark Labs provides mentorship, funding guidance, and operational expertise across technology, fintech, and consumer ventures. By combining strategic vision, hands-on execution, and systems-driven growth, the lab equips founders to build profitable, sustainable businesses while strengthening Africa’s SME ecosystem.
What This Means
A key theme of the session was the reality of founder burnout, an increasingly common challenge as startups race to meet investor demands.
Ifeanyi Godsfavour and Ezenwa Okoro offered actionable advice on maintaining balance, structuring internal processes, and pacing fundraising efforts without compromising well-being or company culture.
Participants were encouraged to explore alternative financing models beyond traditional venture capital, such as revenue-based financing, grants, accelerators, and strategic investment from corporate partners. These routes, moderators noted, can provide more flexible capital while allowing founders to retain greater control.
“I’m glad to see it all went well and would like to take the opportunity to thank Techparley again for this,” said Thara Aisha Atta, founder of Trashformas Nigeria Limited. “I appreciate this gesture and the great work being done.”
The initiative also resonated deeply on a personal level for many founders.
“Techparley, this is humanity at its peak. Thank you for the immense love shown to us,” said Anslem Anirejuoritse Pessu, founder of Qatalyst TechLabs Limited. “On behalf of Qatalyst TechLabs, we express our gratitude for this significant opportunity. God bless you.”
A Platform for Collaboration and Visibility
Some of the startup founders were given the opportunity to pitch their products and services to fellow entrepreneurs, an initiative aimed at boosting intra-community collaboration and visibility.
The session doubled as a networking opportunity, enabling DRIVE100 applicants to connect with peers across multiple sectors and potentially build partnerships beyond the masterclass.
Cerespark Labs has also agreed to launch a special 8-week bootcamp exclusively for DRIVE100 participants.
The programme, organisers said, will help founders scale their startups, strengthen their business foundations, and become fully investor-ready. The details of the bootcamp will be communicated to interested participants in the coming days.
Techparley Africa extended special appreciation to Cerespark Labs for partnering to deliver the programme. The organisation’s support, organisers said, underscores the importance of ecosystem collaboration in strengthening Africa’s startup pipeline.
With the DRIVE100 programme underway, Techparley Africa’s masterclass serves as an early milestone in its mission to spotlight and support the continent’s most promising innovators, equipping them not just to attract investment, but to thrive sustainably in demanding markets.
According to participants, Techparley Africa’s masterclass marks a key step in equipping the continent’s most promising startups, not just for visibility, but for long-term, investment-ready success.
Talking Points
This masterclass stands out because it addresses one of the biggest gaps faced by early-stage African startups: understanding what makes a business truly investor-ready.
By breaking down concepts like traction, strong team, global relevance/scalable, revenue growth and strong KPIs, the session provides founders with actionable guidance they can immediately apply.
At Techparley, we recognise that visibility alone is not enough. Training sessions like this ensure that the startups we feature are positioned to compete on a continental and global level, bridging the knowledge gap that often holds African founders back.
The focus on preventing founder burnout is a timely addition. Many entrepreneurs struggle to balance fundraising expectations with daily operations, and by emphasising mental resilience and structured pacing, the masterclass addresses a critical but often overlooked issue.
It is also encouraging that the programme highlights alternative financing routes like grants, revenue-based financing, accelerators, and corporate partnerships, giving founders diverse pathways to capital beyond the traditional VC route.
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