Bootstrapped to Breakthrough: Interview with Tesh Mbaabu, Co-Founder of MarketForce & Chpter

PushYourAdvantage

Ever wondered how to turn a bootstrapped idea into a continent-wide success story? Join us as we chat with Mutethia Mbaabu, also known as Tesh, the dynamic co-founder of MarketForce that now heads Chpter.ai.
Tesh walks us through his humble beginnings, sharing how his entrepreneurial spark was ignited by his mother's law firm and how he self-taught tech skills before diving into computer science at the University of Nairobi. His journey underscores the invaluable lessons learned from offering services at discounted rates and the importance of building a solid foundation, even if it means working for free at first.
Marketforce's story is one of resilience and strategic growth, transitioning from a bootstrapped app to a key player in digitizing order collection processes across Africa. Tesh gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how early funding and participation in YCombinator accelerated their growth, highlighting the role incubators and accelerators play in providing crucial exposure and resources. We also discuss the broader need for a mature ecosystem where startups can thrive through diverse pathways, such as mergers and acquisitions, rather than relying solely on incubator programs.
Tesh doesn't shy away from discussing the tough times, including navigating funding challenges and the pressures from investors. He shares the emotional toll of managing a business under financial strain and the importance of maintaining profitability. In a candid reflection, Tesh not only shares his experience of closing down MarketForce but also outlines the resilience required to bounce back from setbacks and introduces us to his latest venture, Chpter. Drawing from his experiences with MarketForce, Tesh is now shaping the future of conversational commerce. This episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to learn from one of Africa's most innovative minds.
Links:
E-Commerce startup MarketForce shuts down RejaReja distribution unit
The next chpter
Chpter secures $ 1.2m pre-seed funding

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Kapitel

1. Entrepreneurship Journey With Marketforce Co-Founder (00:00:00)

2. Accelerating Growth Through Funding and Incubators (00:09:07)

3. Lessons in Expansion Strategy and Growth (00:17:23)

4. Lessons From Marketforce Co-Founder's Journey (00:23:08)

5. Navigating Funding Challenges and Investor Reactions (00:28:53)

6. Navigating Founder Disappointment and Reflection (00:35:55)

7. Founder Compensation, Building the Future (00:44:15)

8. Navigating Incubators and Founder Growth (00:55:57)