This article describes the mentoring relationship between founder, Sati Sai and her mentor as part of IFC’s SheWins Africa program. We interviewed both participants and learned key insights on the outcome of the mentorship and how they were able to navigate their business challenges with the necessary support and guidance. IFC’s SheWins Africa 2024 program, implemented in partnership with VC4A, is dedicated to supporting female-founded startups across Africa. The program aims to improve opportunities for women-led startups to access early-stage financing. Among other program components mentorship is an important component and this case study is showcasing one of the many mentor matches facilitated as part of SheWins Africa. Sati Sai is the founder of Trankyl, a platform that helps service providers connect with customers and vice versa. As part of the mentorship component of the She Wins Africa 2024 program, Sati was matched with Olivier Kalisa, Program Manager at Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali. The objective of the mentorship was to refine Trankyl’s business model to facilitate growth and scalability. About Trankyl: Trankyl is a marketplace that helps service providers connect with customers and vice versa, ensuring that customers find the best service providers for their needs. Sector: E-Commerce Marketplace Location: Lomé, Togo See venture profile: Trankyl “This mentorship was the turning point for Trankyl, equipping us with the tools and confidence to innovate and scale.” – Sati Sai, Founder, Trankyl Goals and expectations of the mentorship At the start of the mentorship, Sati Sai’s primary goals were to refine Trankyl’s business model and achieve sustainable growth which includes improving customer acquisition and retention of the app’s freelancers, as well as skill gaps and confidence in managing the business. Olivier’s approach was collaborative, emphasizing active listening and making recommendations based on his experience. He encouraged Sati to think through her ideas, refine them, and improve her strategies rather than providing direct solutions. The challenges faced by Trankyl Trankyl’s strategies were not resonating with the target audience, particularly in acquiring and retaining freelancers on the app. To address this, Olivier conducted an audit of Trankyl’s business model and advised on the following areas: Focus on a business model: Refine the business model to better target the audience and focus on the people who can pay for their services. Brand positioning as a SaaS: Position Trankyl as a Software as a Service (SaaS) to attract a broader audience. Tech integration and automation: Fully automate the business using WhatsApp Business to improve efficiency and customer service. Pricing strategy: Develop a pricing strategy that aligns with the value proposition and market demand. These strategies led to positive results, including a significant improvement in customer service processes and a new perspective on Trankyl’s potential for growth. The mentorship process and actions taken: Structure and frequency of meetings The mentorship involved monthly meetings, providing a structured yet flexible framework for their interactions. Types of support provided Olivier provided coaching and technical guidance, helping Sati navigate the complexities of scaling her business. Mentorship results Based on the implementation of these strategies, Trankyl saw measurable improvements including: Refining the business model, in order to put the company closer on its path to scaling up. Revision and elimination of ineffective growth strategies. Automation of customer service processes to save time and improve efficiency. Lessons learned and the journey ahead One of the key takeaways that Sati learned from the mentorship journey was the importance of resilience and passion in building a successful business. She also gained valuable insights into refining her business model, leveraging technology for automation, and building her skills and confidence. For Olivier, it was an opportunity to work with a driven founder and help her step out of her comfort zone. Success stories from the participants Sati: Trankyl has been able to save time with customer service by automating customer services processes leveraging the automations. Olivier: Success for me was when Sati decided not to give up on her business. She had a change of perspective after one of our conversations. She’s now diversifying her income streams. “Sati’s decision not to give up on her business marked a significant breakthrough for Trankyl. She diversified her income streams and gained a new perspective on her business’s potential.” – Olivier Kalisa “Olivier is a good listener. He is able to put himself in my shoes and empathize with me. He is always available and encourages me to move from ideation to execution.” – Sati Sai “Sati is a brilliant mind and a driven founder. She is experiencing the challenges of building a business in Africa but is focused on creating an impact-driven business. I believe her business can scale beyond her country.” – Olivier Kalisa How to get involved in mentoring via the VC4A Mentorship Marketplace For aspiring entrepreneurs and mentors, this case study highlights the importance of seeking and providing mentorship. If you are a startup looking for guidance, the VC4A Mentorship Marketplace has supported hundreds of founders with reliable mentors only interested in your success. If you are a professional interested in mentoring, this is an opportunity to join VC4A as a startup mentor. ecommerce Togo VC4A Mentorship Marketplace