What if funding the informal economy could unlock South Africa’s next wave of entrepreneurs?
In this episode of How Would You Build It, we talk to Katie Dodge, co-founder of Koola Capital, who’s helped over 200 informal businesses access funding through loans rooted in trust and long-term growth.
Katie shares the honest story of building a company while learning to build it, the realities of being a female founder, and why relationships beat marketing.
Our audience has always enjoyed it when we dive into topics around the township economy, and I think you will feel quite inspired after this one.
Listen now on your favourite platform.
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Or skip to the highlights:
02:39 Koola Capital - fueling the informal sector
03:36 How did they discover the opportunity
06:46 What constitutes a business for Koola
11:06 Challengers faced by informal businesses
13:11 Impact of crime
16:01 No one teaches us "the how"
19:07 Stories
23:20 Loans vs grants
27:15 Building the business in WhatsApp
31:22 Applications?
32:42 Journey as a female founder
39:53 Lessons in expanding
43:56 Nuturing relationships vs marketing
47:23 How do you AI?
