Eddison Shumba

I am passionate about mentoring because I believe that guidance, access, and strategic insights can significantly impact the success of early-stage startups. Having spent over eight years in the African startup ecosystem as an entrepreneur, investor, and advisor I have witnessed firsthand how the right mentorship can help founders navigate challenges, refine business models, and secure investment.

My core focus areas include venture capital, financial modeling, market strategy, and startup investment readiness. As the Co-Managing Partner of ProtoSeed Ventures, we are pioneering a $3.5M pre-seed fund supporting student-led startups in AI, E-commerce, and IoT. Through this work, I understand the unique hurdles early-stage founders face especially in building scalable, investor-ready businesses.

Additionally, I have been actively involved in mentorship and ecosystem development through organizations like the Tony Elumelu Foundation, UNIDO GCIP-SA, and Global Startup Awards. My experience in these roles has strengthened my commitment to helping founders unlock funding, refine their growth strategies, and leverage innovation for impact.

By mentoring with Digital Africa, I aim to empower African entrepreneurs, particularly those working in AI, fintech, mobility, and impact-driven innovation. I want to provide practical guidance on securing funding, developing market-fit products, and scaling operations, ensuring that high-potential startups have the tools to thrive in Africa’s dynamic business landscape.

I mentor because I believe that entrepreneurs are the backbone of Africa’s economic transformation, and the right guidance at the right time can be the difference between success and failure. Having built and advised startups across various industries, I understand the challenges founders face access to funding, market entry strategies, and building investor-ready businesses.

Mentorship is my way of giving back to the ecosystem while also shaping the future of African innovation. I have been fortunate to benefit from great mentors and networks throughout my career, and I see it as my responsibility to pay it forward. By sharing my expertise in venture capital, financial modeling, and startup growth, I help founders avoid common pitfalls, accelerate their progress, and unlock critical opportunities.

Beyond that, mentorship is a two-way street I learn just as much from the entrepreneurs I support. Their resilience, creativity, and problem-solving abilities continue to inspire me. By mentoring, I get to contribute to building scalable, impact-driven startups that can drive economic growth, create jobs, and solve real challenges across Africa.