ISSUE 07
This week at the edge of impact: another round of “the future is here”. This time it’s UNDP’s opportunity gap across Africa, solar panels floating in space, and women founders quietly outpacing the market. No waffling, just signals worth watching if you’re building with purpose for the long game.
Signals
1. Space-Based Solar Power Gets Real
The European Space Agency has greenlit a space-based solar power pilot set to beam energy from orbit back to Earth by 2030. The concept — once sci-fi — is now attracting serious government and private investment as countries look for scalable clean energy beyond terrestrial limits.
Why it matters: The frontier of climate tech isn’t only on Earth. Founders building in energy storage, transmission, aerospace, or frontier markets should track this — because moonshot ideas are moving faster into policy, funding, and deployment.
2. Women Entrepreneurs Are Rising Fast in the Global South
Communities and programs serving female founders are reporting strong upticks in demand: more women are starting businesses, seeking mentorship, and accessing capital than in recent years. Those focused spaces (networks, accelerators, grants) are noticing “percolating” interest - founders who might have stayed under-radar are now stepping forward.
Why it matters: If your venture, program, or investment thesis serves women as customers -you’ll need to lean into how you support them more directly (access to capital, mentorship, peer networks). Those who build systems for inclusion early will unlock untapped growth and have a stronger, more resilient impact.
3. UNDP Africa Investment Insights 2025 – Opportunity Areas + White Spaces
The recent summer UNDP report charts 250 Investment Opportunity Areas (IOAs) and 53 white spaces across 20 African countries, highlighting sectors/geographies where private capital is under-deployed due to regulatory or market gaps.
Why it matters: Founders who build in or near those “white spaces” (where needs + demand are high but investment is low) may find less competition + more willing funders. It’s a signal to consider where the capital isn’t yet flowing - that’s often where risk meets reward.
AI tools we’re actually using
→ Bazaar.ai: Turn your screenshots into demo videos in seconds.
→ Terramind: AI search integrated with notes, calendar, projects
→ Snapdeck: Build a professional deck in a snap with AI.
Founder Notes
Edge Scaling
For us founders, growth isn’t just about following the crowd.
Grow where your competitors aren’t looking. Instead of chasing crowded markets, focus on the edges - untapped geographies, niche customers, or unconventional channels.
Test, learn, and scale where there’s less noise, more opportunity, and higher margin for impact.
Edge growth compounds faster, because you’re defining the market, not just competing in it.
While they fight in the centre, we own the edges.
-
Inside ventra: we unpack the latest data so you don’t have to. Our snapshot highlights key insights and trend signals shaping growth across key regions, translating complex reports into clear, actionable opportunities for founders ready to scale smarter.
