Our Most Exciting Project Yet: The Prelist

Covering the best private companies in Zimbabwe and beyond

I am really excited about this. Money & Moves will now also cover the best Private Companies in Zimbabwe and beyond!

Introducing the “The Prelist”.

On Money & Moves, we have covered a lot of listed companies, but we want to expand that now to private companies. This is partly because the most influential listed companies of the future are the ones that are still private companies today.

Take, for example, the S&P500, which tracks the 500 largest companies listed in the US. Of the companies that made up the list in the 1990s, over 400 are new entrants.

In addition, by 2020, the average lifespan of a company on the S&P 500 was just 21 years and forecasted to continue to decrease.

In other words, in twenty or so years, at least half of the biggest listed companies in the world will be companies that are probably still private companies today, like start-ups and other fastest growing privately held businesses.

Source Statista

I believe this trend will also impact Africa, including Zimbabwe, so we want to start covering those companies that will shape the future today.

The companies will be covered as part of “The Prelist”.

Essentially a list of companies that may not be listed but are of such quality that they could be listed today or in the near future if they wanted to.

There will be some unique elements about the “The Prelist” however.

Firstly, coverage on these companies will not be paid promotional posts. I have intentionally decided not to get paid to write about a company on the Prelist to be as independent as possible.

Only companies that meet the criteria will be covered. What’s the criteria?

The company has:

• Have done at least $2 - $5 million in revenue (this may be revised upwards)

• Growing fast with the potential to have a large impact now or in future

• Solid business model and strategy

• Have financial statements and;

• Operate with a level of professionalism that it could be a listed company (if it wanted) now or in a few years.

Essentially, Prelist companies are the highest-potential private companies.

Why should you be excited about this?

To start, it provides another narrative.

Most international business coverage of countries like Zimbabwe is negative, so even great companies work extra hard to persuade investors and partners to back them.

This negative narrative also results in great businesses getting overlooked. For example, the Financial Times has published a list of the fastest-growing companies in Africa for several years.

However, this list hasn't included any companies from Zimbabwe, even though there are many companies that would qualify.

Profiling these companies will also help you understand sectors that are doing well in the country and introduce you to some great business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Many of them will be young entrepreneurs or entrepreneurs who started young with inspiring stories.

Why am I doing this personally? I believe in being a missionary more than a mercenary. Helping raise the quality of conversations and coverage of businesses in Africa is a mission worth working on.

In a way, I am also betting on these companies myself albeit indirectly.

The Prelist is only as good as the companies on it, so I will need to analyze these companies diligently. That's why I want to remain as independent as possible when writing about these companies.

If the company isn't strong enough, it won't make it to the list.

For companies that make the list, I will still highlight the company’s risks and get feedback on topics I may have missed.

When is the first company being covered?

This week!

The first Prelist company is going to set the bar high. You don't want to miss it.

Would love to get your feedback. Do you know any companies that should be covered on the Prelist?