**The Reality Check for Africa's Tech Honeymoon** The African tech scene has been on a rollercoaster ride these past few years, with rapid growth, massive funding, and a plethora of new startups springing up everywhere. However, beneath the glamour lies a growing concern among key stakeholders, including indigenous venture firms like Microtraction. They're asking tough questions about the quality of startups being built, the vision and experience of their founders, and whether they're truly solving real problems or just chasing hype. **Founder Quality: The Unsung Hero** As a pre-seed investor, Microtraction relies heavily on its assessment of founders to make informed investment decisions. However, the firm's investment analyst, Offiong Isyah, has noticed a decline in the quality of talent in the tech ecosystem, particularly in Nigeria. This is partly due to the decentralisation of tech events and the subsequent loss of expertise. Additionally, the poor economy has forced many young Nigerian graduates to seek careers abroad, reducing the pool of potential startup founders. **The Microtraction Difference** To counter this trend, Microtraction has developed a robust approach to identifying and nurturing great founders. The firm's Microtraction Nurture Programme provides a unique opportunity for talented entrepreneurs to hone their skills and connect with potential investors. Microtraction's ideal founder is resourceful, intellectually curious, and has a deep understanding of their customer and market. By investing early in these founders and providing them with a platform to learn and grow, Microtraction aims to build enduring businesses that truly make a difference. **A Call to Action** While the African tech ecosystem still holds immense promise, it's time for founders, investors, and stakeholders to take a step back and reassess their priorities. Microtraction's experience serves as a warning that the honeymoon phase is over, and it's time to focus on building sustainable, quality startups that address real problems and have a long-term vision. By doing so, we can create a tech ecosystem that truly thrives and benefits the African continent as a whole.