Overview
African Philanthropy Forum (APF) is a thriving community of partners committed to advancing shared prosperity across Africa through strategic giving, investment, and influence. APF needed a digital solution that could bridge the gap between grassroots organisations and funders while driving measurable social change.
They partnered with Jivagate Consulting to research, design, and launch StartPoint — a digital platform created to connect local changemakers with funders in a streamlined, impact-driven environment.
What We Did & Results
Research & Needs Assessment
We conducted in-depth discovery across the philanthropic ecosystem, including interviews with funders and local organisations, market analysis of existing platforms, and identification of unmet needs. Insights from this research informed the problem definition and shaped the direction for StartPoint, ensuring it would effectively address real gaps in connecting funders and grassroots changemakers.
Product Discovery & Documentation
Using the research insights, we developed a detailed product discovery document outlining platform functionalities, user personas, journeys, technical requirements, and key success indicators. This blueprint guided design, development, and launch, providing a clear roadmap for execution.
Developer Sourcing & Product Management
We sourced and onboarded skilled developers and led the product management process, aligning timelines, priorities, and features with APF’s strategic impact goals. This ensured that every platform element was functional, user-friendly, and aligned with intended social outcomes.
Growth Strategy
We designed and implemented a launch and growth strategy targeting early adoption, including user acquisition, onboarding flows, platform messaging, and retention triggers. The strategy successfully attracted over 2,000 early users, meeting adoption goals shortly after launch.
Launch Event Management
We coordinated the official unveiling of StartPoint at the APF Annual Conference, curating content, supporting a live platform demo, and showcasing the platform’s impact potential. The event strengthened awareness and adoption among key stakeholders.
Impact & Follow-Up
StartPoint has become a functional digital platform connecting funders and grassroots organisations, increasing visibility for community-led initiatives and enabling more strategic giving. Post-launch, we equipped APF with systems and support to continue platform growth, refine features, and strengthen long-term digital engagement.