Join me, Larreth Jimu, on this compelling episode of Truth Talk as I sit down with Gareth Bleazard, a former investment banker turned venture capitalist who's betting big on Africa's startup ecosystem. Gareth shares invaluable insights into what it really takes to raise capital in South Africa versus international markets, explaining why 95% of local startups struggle to secure funding and the key differences founders need to understand. We dive deep into the challenges facing African entrepreneurs, from limited market size to policy constraints, and explore why Gareth believes the continent's biggest problems could actually be its greatest opportunities. He discusses his controversial take on government policies like BEE, the importance of corporate venture studios, and why he thinks South African companies should be doing more to innovate internally. Whether you're considering starting a business, looking to raise capital, or simply want to understand the African startup ecosystem better, this conversation offers rare insights from someone who's seen both sides of the table. Tune in to hear Gareth's unfiltered take on building businesses in Africa and gain valuable lessons from his transition from high finance to high-impact entrepreneurship. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you. Subscribe now and embark on your journey of truth, growth, and empowerment. Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larreth/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larreth-jimu/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/larrethjimu/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/larrethjimu TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@larreth Follow Melsoft Academy 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melsoftacademy_sa/ LinkedIn - https://za.linkedin.com/school/melsoft-academy/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melsoftacademy/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@melsoftacademy Ready to embark on your transformative journey towards success and enlightenment? APPLY NOW to Melsoft Academy, where innovation meets opportunity - https://melsoftacademy.com/apply-now/ Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In an illuminating episode of The Truth Talk Podcast, Larreth Jimu engages in a profound dialogue with the exceptional Francois van der Merwe. As the pioneering force behind Otinga.io (http://Otinga.io), a trailblazing enterprise dedicated to catalyzing innovative product launches and fostering the growth of new business paradigms through the dynamic mediums of hackathons and design thinking, Francois van der Merwe embodies a visionary approach to technological advancement. Simultaneously serving as the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of InvestRand, Francois spearheads initiatives that empower everyday South Africans to cultivate prosperity through strategic property investments and cutting-edge technological solutions. Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you. Nourish your intellect with the wisdom and inspiration shared in The Truth Talk Podcast, as Francois Van der Merwe unveils his riveting narrative and imparts invaluable lessons on harnessing the power of technology for sustainable growth and innovation. Subscribe to The Truth Talk Podcast on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larreth/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larreth-jimu/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/larrethjimu/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/larrethjimu TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@larreth Follow Melsoft Academy 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melsoftacademy_sa/ LinkedIn - https://za.linkedin.com/school/melsoft-academy/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melsoftacademy/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@melsoftacademy Ready to embark on your transformative journey towards success and enlightenment? APPLY NOW to Melsoft Academy, where innovation meets opportunity - https://melsoftacademy.com/apply-now/ Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you. About Darren Mansour Darren Mansour is the Founder and Director of So Interactive, a digital-first agency that combines technology, creativity, and strategy to craft impactful brand experiences. With over 22 years of expertise, he specialises in digital transformation, UX/UI, and multi-platform storytelling, helping brands connect with people in meaningful ways. Passionate about pushing digital forward, Darren leads So Interactive in delivering human-centered, results-driven solutions that elevate brand engagement and growth. Connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenmansour/). About So Interactive So Interactive is a digital-first creative agency that creates human-centered digital experiences designed for impact and building brand value. With over 18 years of expertise, we blend strategy, design, and technology to help brands connect with people in meaningful ways. Our expertise spans brand Strategy, UX/UI Design, Website and Platform Design, Digital campaigns, Content Creation, and Social Media Engagement, all crafted with a commitment to seamless, intuitive, and engaging digital experiences. At So Interactive, we don’t just execute projects—we shape the future of digital engagement.  By bridging technology with human insight, we deliver high-performance solutions that drive business growth. For more information, visit www.sointeractive.co.za (http://www.sointeractive.co.za) or connect with us on hello@sointeractive.co.za (mailto:hello@sointeractive.co.za) Instagram - @sointeractive LinkedIn -  @so-interactive Subscribe now and embark on your journey of truth, growth, and empowerment. Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larreth/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larreth-jimu/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/larrethjimu/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/larrethjimu TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@larreth Ready to embark on your transformative journey towards success and enlightenment? APPLY NOW to Melsoft Academy, where innovation meets opportunity - https://melsoftacademy.com/apply-now/ Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you. Subscribe now and embark on your journey of truth, growth, and empowerment. Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larreth/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larreth-jimu/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/larrethjimu/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/larrethjimu TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@larreth Follow Melsoft Academy 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melsoftacademy_sa/ LinkedIn - https://za.linkedin.com/school/melsoft-academy/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melsoftacademy/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@melsoftacademy Ready to embark on your transformative journey towards success and enlightenment? APPLY NOW to Melsoft Academy, where innovation meets opportunity - https://melsoftacademy.com/apply-now/ Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you. Subscribe now and embark on your journey of truth, growth, and empowerment. Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larreth/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larreth-jimu/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/larrethjimu/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/larrethjimu TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@larreth Follow Melsoft Academy 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melsoftacademy_sa/ LinkedIn - https://za.linkedin.com/school/melsoft-academy/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melsoftacademy/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@melsoftacademy Ready to embark on your transformative journey towards success and enlightenment? APPLY NOW to Melsoft Academy, where innovation meets opportunity - https://melsoftacademy.com/apply-now/ Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you. Subscribe now and embark on your journey of truth, growth, and empowerment. Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larreth/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larreth-jimu/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/larrethjimu/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/larrethjimu TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@larreth Follow Melsoft Academy 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melsoftacademy_sa/ LinkedIn - https://za.linkedin.com/school/melsoft-academy/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melsoftacademy/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@melsoftacademy Ready to embark on your transformative journey towards success and enlightenment? APPLY NOW to Melsoft Academy, where innovation meets opportunity - https://melsoftacademy.com/apply-now/ Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you. Subscribe now and embark on your journey of truth, growth, and empowerment. Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larreth/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larreth-jimu/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/larrethjimu/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/larrethjimu TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@larreth Follow Melsoft Academy 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melsoftacademy_sa/ LinkedIn - https://za.linkedin.com/school/melsoft-academy/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melsoftacademy/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@melsoftacademy Ready to embark on your transformative journey towards success and enlightenment? APPLY NOW to Melsoft Academy, where innovation meets opportunity - https://melsoftacademy.com/apply-now/ Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you. Subscribe now and embark on your journey of truth, growth, and empowerment. Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larreth/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larreth-jimu/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/larrethjimu/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/larrethjimu TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@larreth Follow Melsoft Academy 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melsoftacademy_sa/ LinkedIn - https://za.linkedin.com/school/melsoft-academy/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melsoftacademy/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@melsoftacademy Ready to embark on your transformative journey towards success and enlightenment? APPLY NOW to Melsoft Academy, where innovation meets opportunity - https://melsoftacademy.com/apply-now/ Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Gain valuable insights into the world of tech and career growth from an industry expert with 20 years of experience. This podcast will inspire and empower you to take your first steps into coding and the tech industry! Subscribe to The Truth Talk Podcast on your favorite platform and never miss an episode! Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larreth/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larreth-jimu/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/larrethjimu/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/larrethjimu TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@larreth Follow Melsoft Academy 🌐 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melsoftacademy_sa/ LinkedIn - https://za.linkedin.com/school/melsoft-academy/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melsoftacademy/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@melsoftacademy Ready to embark on your transformative journey towards success and enlightenment? APPLY NOW to Melsoft Academy, where innovation meets opportunity - https://melsoftacademy.com/apply-now/ Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.