Jason Elk is the founder of the South African social media site Zoopy. Ismail Dhorat of Startup Africa recently interviewed him following news that Vodacom had recently purchased a 40% stake in the company. Here’s an excerpt where Jason gives some advice to new startups.

Choose your partners carefully, based on an even benefit to both parties. Don’t take the first opportunity that comes along just because you need the money or exposure. Think long-term, set goals and make sure the partner is on the same page strategically. If you have a choice, the bigger brand names obviously add enormous credibility to your venture, but don’t sacrifice everything you’ve worked for just because they’re big and you’re small. If you believe you have value, say so and fight for it.

Read the Whole Interview

Zoopy Company Profile

About the Author: Jonathan Gosier (Founder) is an American-born software developer, writer and social entrepreneur. He currently lives in Kampala, Uganda where he is working on two fronts: to encourage western businesses and investors to engage African entrepreneurs and to encourage the adoption of computers, programming and use of the internet in the developing regions of Africa. He is a huge advocate for promoting the ways in which a semantic web will benefit emerging economies in the world.

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