Scaling
Beyond Borders
& Giving Back

Speaker: Lulumbi Njeleka

Lulumbi Njeleka reveals the truth many founders overlook: capital alone doesn’t build a successful business. Through Monter Capital’s approach, he shows that investors who truly support founders act as partners — providing governance, expertise, networks, and hands-on execution support. 

Their team works closely with management, placing skilled leaders, ensuring data integrity, opening doors to new regions, and offering technical help across finance, legal, and operations.

This lesson shows that choosing the right investor can determine survival, growth, and long-term success, because the best investors bring more than money.

Lesson Outcomes: 

• Understand why smart founders choose investors who bring expertise, not just capital

• Identify what operational support your startup may need (finance, legal, market access, governance)

• Add-on: List one area where non-financial support could save you time or unlock new revenue

Speaker: Tomi “TD” Davies

Tomi “TD” Davies has spent more than 20 years developing the model of mentor-driven angel investing. 

In this lesson, he explains why mentorship is the foundation of entrepreneurial success: investors don’t just provide capital—they bring experience, networks, due diligence, and guidance that help founders grow faster and avoid mistakes. 

Through his story of supporting a clean-energy startup from a simple pitch to a thriving company, TD shows how mentorship and trust create long-term value for both founder and investor.

Lesson Outcomes: 

• Understand how mentorship drives growth and reduces risk in entrepreneurship

• Identify who in your network could mentor you—or whom you could mentor

• Add-on: Choose one mentor or peer who can open a door to paying opportunities, and write the value you can offer them in return

Speaker: Francis Stevens George

Francis Stevens George shares how Innovation SL built an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sierra Leone by consistently preparing and supporting founders long before they appear on any stage. 

Through Freetown Pitch Night, coaching, and long-term guidance, Francis helped founders develop confidence, clarity, and vision — creating a community where entrepreneurs trust each other, learn from each other, and grow together. 

His story shows that ecosystems thrive not from big events but from consistent support and belief in people’s potential.

Lesson Outcomes: 

• Identify which partners in your community share your mission of long-term support and growth 

• Strengthen weak connections through consistent exposure, coaching, and collaboration

• Add-on: Identify one partnership or platform (e.g., pitch night, accelerator, student group) that could save costs or open new revenue opportunities for your startup

Speaker: Chisepo Chirwa

Chisepo Chirwa shares how trust became the most valuable currency in his entrepreneurial journey. 

Before he ever raised money from formal investors, friends and family supported his ideas — lending him capital, offering space, and backing him through early failures. Chisepo explains why honoring your word, communicating openly, and following through on commitments builds a network of people who will stand with you in good times and bad. 

This lesson shows that a trusted reputation can open doors faster than any pitch deck.

Lesson Outcomes: 

• Understand how trust and credibility create opportunities

• Identify the behaviors that build — or destroy — trust in your network

• Add-on: Define one promise you will keep consistently to strengthen your reputation