The Founder Files

Metavolve
The Founder Files

Rated #1 Podcast for Entrepreneurs in South Africa in 2023 by Feedspot. The Founder Files is where founders come to explore proven growth strategies and real entrepreneurial challenges. Hosted by Cameron Coutts, each episode unpacks the complex journeys of scaling businesses, delivered by entrepreneurs who've walked the path. No script, no filter – just a fireside chat between growth-driven founders. If you’re seeking practical advice and relatable stories to fuel your growth journey, this is your go-to resource. Subscribe now!

  1. Why is Entrepreneurship in South Africa So Challenging?? - Katlego Maphai, Yoco

    4D AGO

    Why is Entrepreneurship in South Africa So Challenging?? - Katlego Maphai, Yoco

    What an honour to sit down with a South African fintech, whose hardware most of us have already been in contact with. Katlego Maphai is the CEO and co-founder of Yoco, the market leader for SMB payments in South Africa. Expect to learn: What Yoco doesKatelgo’s insights on the structural and systemic issues preventing entrepreneurs from succeeding in this countryWhat he is optimistic about in South AfricaHow he guides the sense of purpose, meaning and contribution into the values and culture of the companyWhen you should formalise your approach to strategyHow Katlego’s business and role have changed over the years, and also how he has changedThis is a fundamental example of how entrepreneurs evolve as their businesses evolve. As the scale increases, our perspective and our vision change as well. Katlego is an amazing example and role model of what it means to be a leader and CEO of an entrepreneurial business in SA. ---- This episode is brought to you by Metavolve. Metavolve turns highly capable African founders into confident business leaders by helping them develop clear and comprehensive business strategies that make building a great sustainable business less complex. Reach out to our team to learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metavolve.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- To support The Founder Files: 🔔 Follow The Founder Files EVERYWHERE ⭐ Leave a review right here 💭 Share your thoughts on LinkedIn and tag Cameron Coutts ---- 00:00 Introduction 03:59 What is Yoco? 10:06 Breaking Down The Yoco Hardware 20:53 Getting A Cash Based Economy To Move To Digital Payments 28:33 A Big Mistake Founders Make 34:11 Why is Entrepreneurship in SA So Difficult? 43:41 Structural Challenges Holding South African Entrepreneurs Back 53:21 How Yoco is Breaking Down The Barriers to Entrepreneurship 56:23 Katlego’s Pessimism and Optimism About Entrepreneurship in SA 01:07:20 Translating The Company Vision Into The Culture 01:22:06 Moments When Everyone Doubted Katlego 01:27:11 When is The Right Time to Formalise Your Strategy? 01:30:51 How Has Yoco, Katlego And His Role Changed Over The Years? 01:42:31 Where is Yoco Going as a Company? 01:46:36 Reflection

    1h 49m
  2. From Losing 95% of Revenue to Scaling a Successful Fintech - Chris Ball, Finch Technologies

    MAR 3

    From Losing 95% of Revenue to Scaling a Successful Fintech - Chris Ball, Finch Technologies

    Every founder who’s scaled beyond product-market fit knows the challenge: where do we focus our attention next? In this episode, I sit down with Chris Ball, co-founder of Finch Tech, to unpack how his team is navigating this exact question. We dive into how Finch scaled their products and built their business model, the tough decisions around which growth strategies to pursue, how Chris and his co-founders protect their team from the noise and the biggest challenges they're facing right now in their growth journey. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone facing the overwhelming options of what got you here vs. what will get you there. If you're in the scale-up phase, you'll find huge value in how Finch is approaching this pivotal stage of business growth. ---- This episode is brought to you by Metavolve. Metavolve turns highly capable African founders into confident business leaders by helping them develop clear and comprehensive business strategies that make building a great sustainable business less complex. Reach out to our team to learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metavolve.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- To support The Founder Files: 🔔 Follow The Founder Files EVERYWHERE ⭐ Leave a review right here 💭 Share your thoughts on LinkedIn and tag Cameron Coutts ---- 00:00 Introduction 02:41 What is Finch Technologies? 13:23 Where is Finch At Now? 16:12 Understanding The Business Model 21:40 How Does Finch Get This Data? 39:10 Expanding Further Along The Value Chain 43:26 Product-Market Fit Journey 47:43 Current Scaling Challenges 53:57 Splitting Focus Among The Team 01:00:10 Do We Really Want To Build a Large Team? 01:06:58 Struggling to Get Out of Customer Service 01:14:17 Which Direction Should Finch Grow Into? 01:22:54 What Does The Future Hold For Chris and Finch? 01:25:45 Why be an Entrepreneur? 01:27:51 Reflection

    1h 29m
  3. Pineapple's Genius Strategy to Disrupt The Insurance Industry - Ndabenhle Ngulube, Pineapple

    FEB 24

    Pineapple's Genius Strategy to Disrupt The Insurance Industry - Ndabenhle Ngulube, Pineapple

    Pineapple Insurance has taken the South African insurtech space by storm, and today, we’re diving deep into their journey with co-founder Ndabenhle Ngulube. From their viral marketing campaigns to their unconventional branding strategies, we explore how Pineapple carved out a unique position in the market. Ndabenhle shares insights into their customer segmentation, growth strategy, and the genius behind their long-term vision. We also break down how they scaled to a 215-person team, the evolution of their company structure, and how they use OKRs to drive execution across all levels. Plus, the challenges of building a strong middle management team—and much more. This episode is packed with actionable insights for any founder looking to scale fast and stand out. ---- This episode is brought to you by Metavolve. Metavolve turns highly capable African founders into confident business leaders by helping them develop clear and comprehensive business strategies that make building a great sustainable business less complex. Reach out to our team to learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metavolve.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- To support The Founder Files: 🔔 Follow The Founder Files EVERYWHERE ⭐ Leave a review right here 💭 Share your thoughts on Linkedin and tag Cameron Coutts ---- 00:00 Introduction 03:06 What is Pineapple? 07:21 The Founding Story 12:16 10 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Customer Experience 14:59 Ndabenhle’s Super Power 21:14 Buying 60k Pineapples for the New Product Launch 25:41 What Scale is Pineapple at Right Now 28:08 Making Insurance Affordable for Lower-Income Individuals 37:10 The Genius Growth Strategy Allowing Pineapple to Take Market Share 59:11 Managing Company Identity While Evolving Product Offering 01:06:36 Handling Competition in an Oligopoly 01:12:05 Pineapple’s Team Structure and Execution System 01:28:46 Challenges in Building Out Management Layers 01:33:27 What Does The Rest of 2025 Hold For Pineapple 01:34:57 The Future of Insurance in South Africa 01:36:41 Reflection

    1h 39m
  4. Disrupting The Telco Oligopoly - Calvin Collett, Melon Mobile

    FEB 17

    Disrupting The Telco Oligopoly - Calvin Collett, Melon Mobile

    We all love a good disruptor who shakes things up in an industry dominated by a few big players.Meet Calvin Collett, the CEO and founder of Melon Mobile. You might not have heard of Melon Mobile yet, but they’re about to make a big splash in the telecommunications industry.In just 18 months, Calvin went from having no employees to a team of 47 people! That’s incredible, especially in a highly competitive and established industry.We’ll dive into how he did it, talk about his sales and marketing strategies, and how he prioritised them in his business, as well as some valuable lessons about culture and the importance of valuing people.We’ll also discuss his current scaling journey and how he’s expanding his business geographically, building out into retail and physical stores, and forming partnerships with companies like Lyft to reach new customers.There’s a lot going on with Melon Mobile, and Calvin shares his insights on how he’s managing it all while keeping his mental health in check.Enjoy! ---- This episode is brought to you by Metavolve. Metavolve turns highly capable African founders into confident business leaders by helping them develop clear and comprehensive business strategies that make building a great sustainable business less complex. Reach out to our team to learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metavolve.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- To support The Founder Files: 🔔 Follow The Founder Files EVERYWHERE ⭐ Leave a review right here 💭 Share your thoughts on Linkedin and tag Cameron Coutts ---- 00:00 Introduction 03:04 What is Melon Mobile? 08:18 The Stage Melon Mobile is at Right Now 14:02 How to Compete in an Established Industry 20:22 Step 1 is Culture 27:18 Finding Product Market Fit in 18 Months 35:56 How to Know When You Have Product Market Fit 41:43 10 Questions About Customer Experience to Ask Yourself 44:27 Why Calvin Founded Melon Mobile 52:40 The Scale of Melon Mobile 54:19 Why Majority of The Staff is Customer Service 57:43 Why Does MTN Let Melon Mobile Compete With Them? 01:02:27 Getting Sales and Marketing Right 01:14:24 Why Calvin Says They’re a Sales and Marketing Company First 01:20:37 Melon Mobiles Current Scaling Strategy 01:29:22 Team Structure to Execute The Strategy 01:34:42 How to Find Work-life Balance

    1h 39m
  5. Scaling a High-Volume, High-Impact Fintech Business - Mark Collie, Airvantage

    FEB 10

    Scaling a High-Volume, High-Impact Fintech Business - Mark Collie, Airvantage

    In this episode, we chat with Mark Collie, the co-founder of Airvantage. Expect to learn what they were able to unlock with alternative credit scoring with mobile network operators and their consumers, how to run effective exco & management meetings, how to build a high-performance culture with almost zero employee turnover and more! We also get into a macro-level view of Africa’s digital & financial evolution, organizational design, strategy, and execution management. This episode is filled with practical insights that any founder can use. Enjoy! ---- This episode is brought to you by Metavolve. Metavolve turns highly capable African founders into confident business leaders by helping them develop clear and comprehensive business strategies that make building a great sustainable business less complex. Reach out to our team to learn more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metavolve.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- To support The Founder Files: 🔔 Follow The Founder Files EVERYWHERE ⭐ Leave a review right here 💭 Share your thoughts on Linkedin and tag Cameron Coutts ---- 00:00 Introduction 02:44 What is Airvantage? 10:08 How to Achieve a High Uptime 14:17 Why Can’t Your Customers Just Do It Themselves 18:07 Play Where The Market is Going, Not Where The Cash is Right Now 23:18 What Airvantage Can Do for Digital Inclusion 29:54 Why We Started The Founder Files 32:03 Mark’s Involvement in Driving Entrepreneurship in the School Curriculum 39:23 Creating a Start-up Within Airvantage 47:50 Appointing a CEO for the Core Business 52:53 How Does the Structure of the Business Work Now? 57:14 Learnings From Transitioning Leadership 01:11:32 How Airvantage Created a Culture That is Attractive for People to Work at 01:16:58 Mark’s Biggest Entrepreneurship Lessons 01:21:56 Why Start a Company in South Africa? 01:25:32 Conclusion

    1h 27m
  6. How to Build an Authentic Brand That Scales - Nic Eve & Marcel Hattingh, Donkey Long Tong

    FEB 3

    How to Build an Authentic Brand That Scales - Nic Eve & Marcel Hattingh, Donkey Long Tong

    In this episode, we dive into the story of Donkey Long Tong, a uniquely South African business founded by Marcel Hattingh and Nic Eve. Donkey Long Tong manufactures long braai tongs and they’ve scaled into the US, UK, Canada and Australia! We get into how they’ve got their brand and marketing right to leverage word of mouth at scale and protect their brand. We also talk about how they’ve achieved a lean manufacturing process and smooth operations, and how they’ve developed a strong culture where their employees take ownership of their work. In between all that, some really cool lessons around their philosophy of scaling their business that are a bit counterintuitive but are actually working super well. ---- This episode is brought to you by Metavolve. Metavolve turns highly capable African founders into confident business leaders by helping them develop clear and comprehensive business strategies that make building a great sustainable business less complex. Reach out to our team to learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metavolve.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- To support The Founder Files: 🔔 Follow The Founder Files EVERYWHERE ⭐ Leave a review right here 💭 Share your thoughts on Linkedin and tag Cameron Coutts ---- 00:00 Introduction 02:09 What is Donkey Long Tong? 25:28 The Issues Scaling Donkey Long Tong 29:22 Building Strong Relationships With Suppliers 33:31 Why We Started The Founder Files 35:40 Creating a Very Authentic Brand 39:37 Developing a Manufacturing Process That Allows for Scale 53:51 Charging a Premium Price and Maintaining Premium Quality 01:02:29 How to Get Staff to Take Ownership and Care About Their Work 01:17:11 Scaling Internationally and How it Affects Branding and Marketing 01:33:36 Impacting South African Tourism 01:48:39 Goals & Challenges of Donkey Long Tong’s Scaling Journey 01:54:32 Conclusion

    1h 56m
  7. How to Properly Navigate Leadership Handovers - Nemanja Stabic & Dawie de Klerk, Digiata

    JAN 27

    How to Properly Navigate Leadership Handovers - Nemanja Stabic & Dawie de Klerk, Digiata

    Every business eventually reaches a pivotal moment: transitioning away from being heavily dependent on its founders. This phase often involves leadership handovers, which can be both challenging and transformative. In this episode, we dive into this very process with Digiata, where Nemanja, the new CEO, joins us alongside Dawie, the co-founder and former Managing Director. Together, they share how they've successfully navigated this transition, from restructuring the organization and redefining decision-making processes to maintaining and evolving the company's culture. We also explore the dynamics between the CEO's vision and the founder's original vision for the business. This insightful conversation is packed with practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to manage leadership transitions effectively. Enjoy the episode! ---- This episode is brought to you by Metavolve. Metavolve turns highly capable African founders into confident business leaders by helping them develop clear and comprehensive business strategies that make building a great sustainable business less complex. Reach out to our team to learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metavolve.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- To support The Founder Files: 🔔 Follow The Founder Files EVERYWHERE ⭐ Leave a review right here 💭 Share your thoughts on Linkedin and tag Cameron Coutts ---- 00:00 Introduction 02:58 What is Digiata? 10:28 How Digiata Got to This Point 18:56 Navigating Lockdown and How The Business Changed 29:30 How Nem Made it Easy to be Chosen For Leadership 33:30 What are the Leadership Traits That Dawie Saw in Nem 39:14 How Did the COO Role Turn into a CEO role 46:39 What Happened to Dawie’s MD Role Now That There is a CEO Role 50:14 What’s it Like to Take on So Much Responsibility? 59:25 How to Structure a Co-founder Relationship for Longevity 01:04:04 The New Organisational Structure and Where the Founding Team is Moving to 01:12:02 Power and Authority Challenges During This CEO Handover 01:18:14 Navigating This Change in Terms of Culture 01:20:22 Other Challenges Nem and Dawie Are Facing 01:23:35 How Does the Approach Towards Vision Shift Now? 01:26:01 Dawie’s Plans for the Future of Digiata 01:28:26 Advice to Anyone Going Through This Process 01:30:57 Conclusion

    1h 33m
  8. How Two Entrepreneurs are Bringing Connectivity to Millions - Calvin Le Mottée & Wesley Dorning, Sebenza

    JAN 13

    How Two Entrepreneurs are Bringing Connectivity to Millions - Calvin Le Mottée & Wesley Dorning, Sebenza

    Sebenza is making it possible for commuters to get free wifi in taxis and busses, in exchange for interacting with their platform. Whether that’s watching an ad, playing a game, or filling out a survey, users get rewards Sebenza bucks which they can they use to access the wifi in these vehicles. In this episode, we chat with Calvin Le Mottée and Wesley Dorning, the co-founders of Sebenza. Expect to learn: - How they were able to find the fit in the market - The balance between software and hardware - How they navigated the complexity of building these offerings - How they manage so much hardware in so many locations with such lean team - What the 4 verticals that drive Sebenza are And much more! This is a very uniquely South African story, but one that is quite complex as well. Enjoy! ---- This episode is brought to you by Metavolve. Metavolve turns highly capable African founders into confident business leaders by helping them develop clear and comprehensive business strategies that make building a great sustainable business less complex. Reach out to our team to learn more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metavolve.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ---- To support The Founder Files: 🔔 Follow The Founder Files EVERYWHERE ⭐ Leave a review right here 💭 Share your thoughts on Linkedin and tag Cameron Coutts ---- 00:00 Introduction 02:46 The Scale of Sebenza Today 03:50 The Business Model of Sebenza 08:27 The Founding Story 10:30 Where Does Revenue Come From? 12:43 How Sebenza Competes With Other Advertising Methods? 16:10 How Did Calvin & Wesley First Launch Sebenza? 21:40 The 4 Verticals That Drive Sebenza 35:25 Finding Product Fit 38:57 Managing Identity As Complexity Increases 41:00 How To Maintain Focus With so Many Opportunities 51:35 Becoming The Digitisation Partner For SANTACO And What That Unlocked 56:19 What Have The Investors Brought To The Table? 01:00:43 Managing Operational Complexity With A Small Team of 50 01:08:00 What Does The Organisational Structure Look Like? 01:09:07 Sebenza’s Sales Processes 01:12:45 How to Hand Over Relationships as You Scale And Remove Sales Dependence From The Founders 01:16:52 How Managing Culture Changes as You Grow 01:21:41 Sebenza’s Plans For 2025 01:24:22 The Importance of Having a Strong Network to Help You Solve Problems

    1h 30m
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About

Rated #1 Podcast for Entrepreneurs in South Africa in 2023 by Feedspot. The Founder Files is where founders come to explore proven growth strategies and real entrepreneurial challenges. Hosted by Cameron Coutts, each episode unpacks the complex journeys of scaling businesses, delivered by entrepreneurs who've walked the path. No script, no filter – just a fireside chat between growth-driven founders. If you’re seeking practical advice and relatable stories to fuel your growth journey, this is your go-to resource. Subscribe now!

Information

  • Creator
    Metavolve
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    113
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Metavolve
  • Show Website
    The Founder Files

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