Lessons from 2025 for Entrepreneurs in 2026

SDS 076: Lessons from 2025 for Entrepreneurs in 2026

Hey! thank you for reading issue 074 of Startup Definition Sunday (SDS). You can read past issues here.

SDS is the only newsletter that is redefining support for Africa's emerging founders. Every other Sunday, we cut through the fundraising and ecosystem noise to bring actionable insights to 2,319 emerging founders.

Happy New Year!

Side note: When do you stop saying “Happy New Year” to people? Personally, I’m a second-week-of-January kind of person. But I’ve heard some folks keep it going all month! What about you?

Speaking of fresh starts, if you missed my 2025 end-of-year letter, you should definitely check it out here. It’s some of my best writing to date, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.

2025 was a remarkable year for the startup ecosystem, especially in Africa. From record-breaking fundraising rounds to impactful exits and acquisitions, the year brought valuable insights into what it takes to build scalable, sustainable businesses. These developments highlighted three key lessons about entrepreneurship that remain just as relevant in 2026.

In this first issue of the year, let’s explore these lessons and how you can apply them to your own journey. Here’s what you need to know:  

1. Timing is Everything

The most successful founders didn’t just build great products; they entered the market at exactly the right time. Whether it was leveraging regulatory shifts, riding the wave of infrastructure growth, or addressing a visible gap in consumer behavior, timing amplified their outcomes. 

It’s crucial to study your market’s trajectory. What trends, regulations, or macroeconomic factors are creating opportunities for your sector? If you’re ahead of the curve, that’s great but make sure your timing aligns with customer readiness. Being too early can be just as risky as being too late. 

Pro Tip: Use tools like Google Trends, AI-powered research platforms, and local market data (if you can get them) to track shifts in consumer interest or behavior. 

2. Market Selection is Your Strategic Weapon

This year’s fundraises and exits showed us that geography matters. It’s not just about choosing the biggest market. It’s about finding markets where your business model can truly stand out. Founders who scaled successfully focused on regions where competition was manageable, local needs were underserved, and their products could shine. 

Don’t chase the biggest market, chase the right one. Look for regions where your solution aligns closely with unmet needs. Spend time understanding your customers’ pain points and deeply researching local market dynamics.

Pro Tip: If you’re planning to build a pan-African company, start by piloting your solution in one geography before scaling. Success in one market can build investor confidence and help refine your strategy. 

3. Partnership Strategy is Your Secret Sauce

A recurring theme from 2025’s success stories was the power of smart partnerships. Whether for distribution, compliance, or product innovation, these founders didn’t go it alone. Strategic alliances amplified their reach and shared the burden of execution. 

Start small by testing a partnership before fully committing. See if your goals align and measure the ROI before scaling the relationship. 

Pro Tip: Ask yourself: Who can help me scale faster and smarter? Collaborate with established players in your industry, especially those with strong local networks. The best partnerships are built on mutual benefit and shared goals.

My Two Pesewas: The Team Matters

The best founders this year didn’t just rely on timing, market selection, and partnerships. They built teams that truly understood the local markets they served. Success doesn’t come from just “entering” a market; it comes from embedding local expertise into your decision-making process. 

Your Move: 
Take a moment to reflect on where you stand with these three pillars: 

• Are you positioned for the right timing? 

• Have you chosen markets where you can truly excel? 

• Do you have partnerships that amplify your strengths? 

If you’re unsure, now is the time to recalibrate. 

And if you found this helpful, share it with a fellow founder! Together, we can grow this ecosystem and make 2026 a year of even greater success. 

That's all for today. As always, thank you for being an engaged reader. Let me know your thoughts on this issue. I read all your emails.

Until then,

Jasiel

Find me on X, and LinkedIn

The information contained in this newsletter is intended for discussion purposes only. This newsletter contains the current, good faith opinions of the author but not necessarily those of Accion Impact Management, LLC (“AIM”). The newsletter is meant for educational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any type.  The documents may contain forward-looking statements.  These are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that ultimately may prove to be inaccurate. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and may be affected by various factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.  Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and AIM assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. This newsletter is not an offer or a solicitation for the sale of a security nor shall there be any sale of a security in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. An investment with AIM involves a degree of risk, and may only be made pursuant to the respective offering documents and organizational materials governing such investment.