Ernesto’s induction into the startup world began in the fall of 2014 at a Netherlands-based venture in the platform payment space. Although he recalls the experience as one he would do again, given the fun and experience gained whilst there, he knew after two years that it was time to look forward to how he would build out his future. Self-reflection revealed a clear path forward. His extensive experience in social entrepreneurship, fair trade, and African job creation, combined with his awareness of the talent shortage in software development, presented a unique opportunity. Today, Ernesto is the Founder of Tunga, a business that aims to create 21st-century jobs for African youth.
What if we could find or develop a pool of talent in Fairtrade-targeted countries? What if we could use this as a mechanism to create economic prosperity for a young generation of Africans in a way that is intrinsically attractive to the industry we serve.
From a simple spark of inspiration, he built a fully-fledged company that is not only changing the way Europeans trade skills but also empowering a multitude of African developers. How did he achieve this remarkable feat? Recognizing that a good idea needed a strong foundation, Ernesto embarked on thorough research to validate his concept and assess its viability. In this crucial (often forgotten) step in a Founder’s journey, Ernesto stumbled upon an organization that would prove to be pivotal in bringing his idea to life: Butterfly Works Foundation. Their impressive achievements in education in Africa presented a natural bridge towards tackling the employment challenges. Collaboration unlocked a significant synergy, and seed rounds were secured from philanthropic organizations and soon after. Ernesto went on to find his first batch of clients.
In my previous startup, I had made all the mistakes, investing a lot of money in the wrong idea, but now I know how to do everything in a very lean way. Creating very lean pilots made it really easy for us to pivot.
Starting out as a marketplace for software developers, Ernesto soon came to realize that this angle was not working and that a far smoother process was crucial to building long-term business relationships. Their decision to outsource operations proved to be a successful pivot, driving positive results over the next 2-3 years. Prioritizing active listening to understand evolving client needs, he recognized that the market was finally receptive to their original matchmaking model. This led to a strategic pivot, returning to the core concept with significant value enhancements. Ernesto’s platform enjoyed a period of explosive growth, resembling the classic “hockey stick” graph – the steep upward trajectory Founders dream of.
It is absolutely beautiful how everything that I did before (and I could go as far back as childhood) came together in this initiative. They can copy what you do but not who you are.
With an educational background in hospitality management, it’s no wonder that this has contributed to Ernesto’s success. His empathetic, people-focused approach to business in the tech scene is unique. He also brings experience from having worked in Russia for a few years, where he learned how to manage and cultivate relationships across cultures. Invaluable experience is required to bridge the gap between European and African cultures that he brings together at Tunga. Ernesto sees his entrepreneurial journey as intertwined with his own personal growth. The Tunga values, reflecting his core personality as a Founder, prioritize adventure, with a focus on being personable and taking unconventional paths.
When you work at my company, you get a lot of freedom to decide on your own approach to work. One has to be prepared for this; it’s not for everyone because the flip side of freedom is responsibility. If you need a lot of support and guidance, then maybe it isn’t for you. It’s not the best way; it’s just our way.
Ernesto’s entrepreneurial wisdom? Be yourself! It helps when you have experienced the real-life problem you are aiming to solve – no one wants to have a solution in search of a problem. At the same time, he advises us to be sure we are offering something relevant to the market we are targeting, as many get trapped in a great idea that isn’t well-researched. He goes further to explain that even ten years later, he continues to question the business on a daily basis, test assumptions, and listen deeply to his clients with an open mind. With change being a constant, ongoing feedback is the key to survival.
Ernesto benefits from a unique client connection. Since his clients are SaaS businesses of a similar scale and focus, their shared experiences create a natural rapport and understanding. Tunga’s services are perfectly aligned for such businesses needing rapid scaling with access to top talent at competitive prices.
Thriving in a fast-paced environment where autonomous decision-making is crucial (but not synonymous with isolation), Ernesto was better suited to the entrepreneurial path rather than the path of an employee. Entrepreneurship allows him to impact the world meaningfully for himself and the clients and talent he connects with. Ernesto gives us a real-life example of life’s purpose at play.
I really love the work I am doing. There is so much opportunity to unlock African talent globally. Only once we have mainstreamed African tech talent will it be time to move the goalposts. There is still a lot of work to do; it is my ‘magnum opus,’ my masterpiece in progress.
“Solving niche challenges Founders face”.
Illustrator: Lisa Williams (Instagram: @artist_llw)