Quote: "Founders need to realise that investors love founders that have failed before because it is in your failings, you learn the most."

The Afropolitan Podcast highlights Afropolitans who embrace the unknown and walk with purpose. Through this podcast, we aim to empower Africans in the Diaspora to maximize their potential and contribute to the development of a vibrant and progressive black community.

In this episode, we chat with Kyle Maloney, Co-Founder of Tech Beach, a startup with an active community designed to connect the Caribbean with the Global Technology Ecosystem. Kyle studied Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and was exposed to entrepreneurship early on, which culminated in co-founding Tech Beach to offer a much-needed service in the region.

Kyle is passionate about empowering people and companies in the Caribbean through technology to scale and solve pertinent issues. Join us as Kyle discusses his journey with Tech Beach, the fundraising process, and advice for first-time founders navigating the ecosystem.

Kyle's Reading List:

1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Arthur R. Pell - https://amzn.to/3XzOzzZ
2. The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller, Jay Papasan - https://amzn.to/3lFdS6a
3. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear - https://amzn.to/2P8LAvI

Show Notes:

2:30: Discussing the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and a brief background on Tech Beach.

5:58: Understanding the context of the Caribbean for startups.

7:52: Comparing the expansion of startups in the Caribbean to that of Africa.

9:07: Exploring the fundraising process, its challenges, and advice for startups.

11:32: Discussing recruiting and retaining talent for a startup.

13:31: Learning more about Kyle's background and his influences.

19:49: Sharing lessons learned from failure in entrepreneurship.

24:00: Outlining the process to find the right mentor within the ecosystem.

28:15: Hypothetical title of a book about Kyle's life

30:53: Books that have profoundly impacted Kyle's life

32:44: Kyle’s perspective on what it means to be Afropolitan

35:03: Talking about future plans and goals for the startup.

The Afropolitan Podcast is hosted by Eche Emole, co-founder of Afropolitan. Listen and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Jamit, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Connect with Afropolitan:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/afropolitan
Website - https://www.afropolitan.io/