Top Five Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in Tech

As founder of the Tech in Ghana Conference and an ecosystem builder in the global tech community, I was recently asked to put together my Top Five Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in Tech.
The list will be used for a short film, so thought I’d share the text with our Steemit community ; )

1. Network
Attend events relevant to your industry, and join community groups. For example, events that I attend have collections of 1000’s of tech leaders, experts and investors uniting to form the most influential groups in tech across the globe. Events are often broken down in to lots of sub groups so it’s simple to find the community best suited to your interests. This is a great way to get tips and advice from other founders, and perhaps meet leaders to collaborate with.

2. Surround yourself with the right people
Whether it be the team you work with or your social circle, those you spend the most time with have a huge influence over your productivity. Being around like-minded people, even entrepreneurs from other industry sectors, can award you with valuable advice, support and the positive energy you need to endure the long road to building your own business.

3. Invest in yourself
In my opinion, the first investor in your company should be you. Whether it’s time, money or self-development; investing in yourself is a must. Work on your idea to the best of your ability with whatever resources you have at any given time. And always remember, personal development works hand in hand with professional development.

4. Build a strong team
I think it is important to know your strengths and bring in others who can take on your weaknesses. For example, you may have great software skills, but not be very good with finances or project management. Find talent who have the skills you need and align with your values to build an all-round brilliant product. However, this doesn’t mean you need to go out and hire loads of people (not advisable for any start-up). Strategic partnerships or outsourcing may be a better option.

5. Know your customer and what they need
This may sound obvious, but knowing your customer takes some work, including going out to meet them in person. In my experience, your customer determines everything from how you build your product, to which social media platforms you use to engage with them. In my opinion, your brand identity also needs to connect with your audience because you should share the same values. This is important to know right from the beginning of your business journey.

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