Three smart moves for tech investors in today’s market

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This week we’re quoting…

Vusi Thembekwayo (Investor and Managing Partner, MyGrowthFund Venture Partners)

What Thembekwayo said: 

“Good VCs are mentors and advisors who provide guidance and resources to help founders succeed – we’re not just financiers.”

A little background for you…

Thembekwayo said this when we interviewed him for the blog. He was talking about investing for impact, instead of just ROI. 

And in the current market, with more and more investors using algorithms to identify investment opportunities, this personal approach to investing is more important than ever – because the investors who can really differentiate their portfolios right now are the ones who get close to the ground and build relationships first. 

We’re seeing new space emerge for investors who understand context, and can sense potential before the data confirms it – especially in early-stage startups that lack years of data to back them up. 

Thembekwayo said he prioritises immersive research and building relationships to identify valuable opportunities. 

And the numbers from MAGNiTT’s H1 2025 VC trends report show why this is so important – in the Middle East and Africa, Saudi Arabia captured 56% of MENA venture funding, mostly in early-stage deals. Early-stage is a segment where trust and human insight matter more than algorithms; and the focus on relationship-building here in Saudi Arabia is one of the factors enabling early-stage to thrive, even as it lags elsewhere in the world. 

So how do you make the human edge work for you right now? 

Three practical moves for tech investors right now 

1. Re-invest in proximity
   Field time is underrated. Across emerging markets, investors who spend time with founders (not just dashboards) are seeing stronger deal flow and earlier access. McKinsey found that top-performing GPs spend more time directly with portfolio companies, gaining conviction faster and avoiding the herd effect that algorithms create. Being physically present sharpens instinct and helps identify founders who adapt under pressure.
   
2. Mentor as due diligence
   The best insight into a startup comes from the partnership. Working closely with founders before committing capital turns mentorship into a filter – testing resilience, trust, and responsiveness in real time.
   
3. Show up where the next deals are built: at LEAP 2026
   Virtual networks are great for making connections when you can’t meet in person. But take any opportunity you can to get offline and meet your network face-to-face. Our Investor Programme brings people together from every corner of the tech investments space – all under one roof to share knowledge, strengthen relationships, and make deals. Concentrated, credible, global deal flow.

Relationships outlive every market cycle

No matter how much digital tech transforms the way investors and startups find each other, relationships will always stay right at the centre of tech investments. 

Data can show you the same opportunities that everyone else is seeing. So your advantage comes from the elements that can’t be automated – intuition, instinct, empathy, and time spent in the field.

Have an idea for a topic you'd like us to cover? We're eager to hear it. Drop us a message and share your thoughts.

Catch you next week,
The LEAP Team