Introduction

Welcome to Silverbacks Valley, a podcast changing the narrative around Africa through the bridging of the worlds of #venturecapital, #tech, #sports, #media and #lifestyle.

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Disclaimer : This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only, no content of the conversation should be considered as investment advice. 

This episode is powered by the African Venture Capital Association (AVCA).

Today in the valley with Ibrahim Sagna is a champion of black voices and ventures. At age 25, he founded Trace Magazine, featuring iconic figures of hip hop and rn'b including Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys, Diddy. He then launched his own content marketing agency, TRUE servicing top tier companies out of London and New York. In 2015, he returned to the media business with TRUE Africa a digital media championing young African voices. Going from founder to investor, he launched The Equity Alliance alongside key business partners such as Richard Parsons and Ronald Lauder an investment fund dedicated to providing capital and education to venture capital firms and new enterprises founded or managed by women and people of colour. They've already closed over 20 transactions including one in the fintech Esusu. Today the valley welcomes Claude Grunitzky.

Disclaimer : Silverbacks Valley's host and the guests of this program may hold assets discussed in this episode. This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

5 BIG IDEAS DISCUSSED IN THE VALLEY WITH CLAUDE GRUNITZKY

• "Flipping the script for founders that are female and/or people of color"

Claude opens up about the mission he's embarked on two years ago alongside partners Richard Parsons (ex-Warner Group) and Ronald Lauder: to support founders and assets managers from diverse groups to get a larger share of the USD 82 Trillion asset management market. He dives into one of the 26 investments by the Equity Alliance, a fintech called eSusu. 

• "My media businesses have been about controlling the narrative around Africa"

Claude first had his big business break as the founder of urban cultures magazine TRACE. Eight years ago, he launched TRUE Africa and more recently Limitless Africa, respectively a digital media and a podcast dedicated to championing young African voices. He explains his thesis behind building media brands that are curating content around the greater Black Diaspora. 

• "Most francophones don't have that entrepreneurial mindset"

As a Togolese-born, Claude understands the struggle that young people in francophone Africa may face in terms of pursuing business ambitions. He shares his insights on the type of cultural reset that is necessary within francophone culture's system of beliefs to move forward and encourage risk-taking. 

• "People think I am transactional"

In 2012, Harvard Business School released a business case on Claude, focused on his ability to build networks. He believes the case have led a lot of people to have misconceptions about him as a transactional person. He explains why he believes that relationships have to be build on how we can support one another.

• "Speak your mind and don't be as polite"

In parting words, Claude has a candid conversation with his younger self. He creates a parallel between his experience of being raised in an African household where freedom of expression from children was often frowned upon and his willingness to create media platforms intended for championing young African voices. 

Claude recommends : 

• His podcast, Limitless Africa
• "Thinking fast & slow" by Daniel Kahnemann