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When Startups Fail: Lessons from Jumble.ng & SimpleBks
Inside TVCLabs’ Angel Masterclass exploring the uncomfortable truths behind startup failure — and how investors can prepare for it.
By Tomi Davies (TD), African Angel
“If you’re going to invest in startups, make sure you have the right systems — and expect failure. It’s part of the journey.”
📉 Why This Conversation Matters
Startup failure is a taboo topic in Africa’s innovation ecosystem. Everyone’s chasing unicorns — yet no one talks about the 7 out of 10 that don’t make it. That’s why we hosted an Angel Masterclass at TVCLabs, to dig into two recent real-life cases from our portfolio: Jumble and SimpleBks. Both were promising. Both are now gone.
💡 Quick Context: What’s TVCLabs?
TVCLabs is a Lagos, Nigeria based innovation hub that backs early-stage African startups through MentorPitch, a 6-week investment readiness program focused on “first outside cheque” startups. Since 2021, we’ve used the POEM Framework® to evaluate ventures:
- Proposition — What are they offering, and why does it matter?
- Organisation — Can they deliver it?
