Why most startups never get funded

Most startups don’t fail to raise money because of bad ideas. They fail because investors don’t see enough proof. In this conversation, Olivia Byanyima, Partner at Nordic Impact Funds, breaks down what investors actually look for before writing a cheque, from founder quality and traction to unit economics and customer retention. The discussion explores why coachability, self-awareness, and clarity matter just as much as growth metrics, and why overpolished pitches without operational depth often raise red flags for investors. For founders navigating fundraising, this is a practical look at what it truly takes to build a business that investors trust, back, and believe can scale sustainably across African markets.