Blogs & Articles

SDC articles and
media coverage

SDC - Where founders, programs, and partners connect. The system that supports every stage of your journey

Featured
Why SDC
Dec 15, 2024
5 min read

The Little Things That Make All the Difference

Some of the most powerful gestures are the ones no one sees. The late-night check-ins, the unexpected calls to ask, “How are you really doing?”, the quiet support when the world feels too loud. When Gabriel Kosoko shared his heartfelt reflection after Launchpad, it captured exactly why SDC takes the time to truly support founders. These words felt like a warm light, a gentle confirmation that the small, sometimes unseen efforts matter more than we can imagine. What makes a founder’s journey special isn’t just the big wins or the perfect pitches. It’s the steady presence of people who believe in you, guide you, and help you see possibilities you didn’t know existed. That’s what SDC strives for every day, to show up for founders, even when it’s tough, even when no one is clapping, even when it would be easier to step back. Because it isn’t just a program, it’s a founder’s journey, one that is shaping some of the most remarkable founders in Africa and around the world. When someone says “thank you” for simply being there, it’s a beautiful reminder that support is more than advice or strategy. It’s about listening, encouraging, and helping shape the quiet, unseen parts of a founder’s story. If you’ve been thinking about starting something new, or if you’re in the middle of building and wondering if anyone sees the effort you’re putting in, this is for you, too. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Across every program, mentorship sessions, workshop, and shared community space, SDC stays dedicated to helping founders feel seen, supported, and ready to build boldly.

Batch 2 - 2024
Dec 12, 2024
6 min read

Celebrating Our 2025 Batch 4 Launchers: A Look Back at a Bold Beginning

Earlier this year, we welcomed 40 brave founders into the SDC Launchpad family, a group we proudly call Batch 4 Launchers for 2025. From cities across Nigeria like Abuja, Benue, Lagos, Ibadan, Uyo, Katsina, and even the UK, each launcher stepped forward with one shared goal, to build something meaningful and push beyond their limits. Twelve women and twenty-eight men made up this batch, a blend of solo founders and teams, each story different, but all connected by a commitment to start. This cohort journeyed through programs, mentorship sessions, community conversations, and long nights of refining their visions. They learned to embrace the discomfort of growth, ask better questions, and shape their ideas into practical solutions. For SDC, Launchpad isn’t just a program; it’s a living ecosystem, a space where founders learn, unlearn, experiment, and build alongside others who believe in the power of building. Batch 4 reminded us what happens when courage meets community. Every pitch session, every group call, and every quiet moment of self-doubt faced and overcome, these are the building blocks of a founder’s journey. To every founder who chose to step forward with Batch 4, we see your courage, your commitment, and the sparks of change you’re creating. This milestone isn’t just about the months you spent in Launchpad, it’s about what comes next and the ripple effect of everything you’re building. As an ecosystem dedicated to shaping some of Africa’s most remarkable founders, we’re honored to have been part of your story so far.Congratulations again to the Batch 4 Launchers. Here’s to the ideas you’ll bring to life and the impact waiting ahead. 👉 Curious about Launchpad? Join the waitlist here to get updates on when the next cohort opens.

Fundraising
Dec 10, 2024
12 min read

How Do You Build a Startup That Lasts?

We’ve seen startups rise. We’ve seen others fold. The real question isn’t just why they fail, but what we can learn from it. Building a startup that lasts goes beyond raising money or launching a shiny product. It’s about laying strong foundations, habits, mindsets and decisions that stand up even when trends shift and funding slows down. Many founders believe they need to have every answer before they start. But lasting startups are rarely built on perfection. They’re built on the ability to adapt, to listen to customers deeply, and to stay consistent when things get tough. At SDC Startup School, one way we bring this to life is through case studies. We take time to study what worked and what didn’t, helping founders connect the dots and avoid common pitfalls as they build. Through real case studies, we re-educate founders and guide them, helping them build with clearer vision, stronger conviction, and the courage to make better decisions. We encourage founders to look at patterns worth breaking and to build not just for today, but for the future and for the challenges and opportunities yet to come. You don’t have to tick every box before you start. What matters most is taking that first step and being willing to learn and adjust along the way. So, how do you build a startup that lasts? You start. You stay focused. You keep showing up. And you choose to build with intention, not just excitement. At SDC Startup School, we guide you through this journey, helping you learn, unlearn, and build with clarity. 👉 Join the SDC Startup School here

OUR AMAZING PARTNERS
Brand DriveAmazon Web ServicesDatamellonCloudPlexoSendPulseSprintsBrand DriveAmazon Web ServicesDatamellonCloudPlexoSendPulseSprints