Gbemiga Delano (MD & CEO, Computers Limited) asks a seemingly simple question: “What mistake did you make as an entrepreneur? How did you overcome it?” He then goes on to give what we consider a mini-masterclass on the pitfalls and potentials of the entrepreneur life. 📸 Gbemiga Delano/ via LinkedIn
Just In B2
Tribapay co-founders: (L-R) Anu Oguntoye, Bolu Oluwagbesan Triabpay, founded by Bolu Oluwagbesan and Anu Oguntoye, has become increasingly noticeable at the forefront of fintechs that envision bringing Africa closer through seamless payments. At its simplest,  Tribapay works like a digital wallet. The customer gets a bank account, and is able to transfer funds to any bank, purchase airtime, or pay utility bills and subscriptions. In November 2023, at the third edition of the Zenith Bank Nigeria tech fair (themed “Future Forward 3.0”), Tribapay scored N10,000,000 prize money, as well as a 12-week mentorship programme with Seedstars, for its solution. The…
Nadine Umutomi (Founder, Neza Coffee) The non-profit Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society has announced the second iteration of its Black Pitch Contest, where Black entrepreneurs pitch their business idea for a chance to take home $25,000. Jackee Kasandy (CEO and co-founder of the Society). expalins: “This can be crucial getting a small business off the ground. It could be a game-changer to get the $25,000.” Immigrant from Rwanda, Nadine Umutoni, is one of those entering the Black Pitch Contest this year. Nadine says: “I moved to Canada 17 years ago. I’ve always wanted to start a coffee company, and…
If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, resident in Lagos State (Nigeria), aged between 18 and 35 years, and your business is both sustainable and solving local challenges in the Circular Economy, Agriculture, Health, Tech and Water solution sectors… then, Orange Corners Nigeria has this extraordinary opportunity for you. The Orange Corners Nigeria six-month incubation programme offers the following; 1.Enterprise Development knowledge and capacity building2. Funding of up to 40,000 Euros3. Access to local and international markets4. Access to industry experts and peer learning opportunities5. One on one mentoring To find out more and to begin your application, click on this…
Eli Pollak (Founder & CEO, Apollo Agriculture) Leading agri-fintech startup, Apollo Agriculture, has secured a US$10 million investment from Swedfund and ImpactConnect to fuel its rapid expansion, enabling increased earnings for farmers, faster adoption of sustainable practices, and increased food security across Africa. Enthused about the partnership, CEO of Apollo Agriculture, Eli Pollak says, “This collaboration with Swedfund and ImpactConnect is a significant milestone for Apollo Agriculture. The investment positions us to rapidly scale our operations, enabling more farmers to access the essential products and financial services they need to feed their families and communities and adapt to climate change.…
Dorothy Sokefun-Olokodana Dorothy Olokodana is the Founder of Organic Dorothy (suppliers of handcrafted ferments and nourishing wholefoods), and the brand’s Kombucha tea is making the rounds as a brew of choice. In her words: “Kombucha is a fermented beverage, and its basic ingredients are tea, sugar, a scoby (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) and water. These ingredients are left for some time to ferment – the same way that all coffee and chocolate are fermented. “The Organic Dorothy Kombucha tea is a living drink whose surprisingly unique flavour comes from using traditional fermentation techniques alongside high-quality ingredients in a…
Founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has become a sensation once more, this time for playing 10 simultaneous chess matches, and winning every single one of them. Says Tunde: “On day two of the Digital Life Design (DLD) conference, I played a simultaneous chess match against 10 players at once. After an almost two-hour battle of wits, I managed to win all the games. The Chess exhibition helped us raise enough money to support the education of 100 children in our academy.” Tunde Onakoya 9Founder, Chess in Slums Africa) Chess in Slums Africa very recently signed a three-year…
When in December 2023, Burger King Nigeria opened the doors to new outlets in Lagos – the Palms Shopping Mall (Lekki) and the Agungi stores – no-one really know if anything different would be served. Rushdi Ibrahim (CEO of Burger King Nigeria) had said: “We tailor our offerings to local tastes by incorporating popular Nigerian flavours into our menu items, ensuring a blend of global standards with regional preferences. This can be seen with the launch of our Pepe Whopper, Suya Whopper, and Nigerian sides like potato cubes, plantain cubes, and yam fries”. Rushdi has since delivered on the Burger king…
Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi (Saudi Minister of Commerce) Saudi Arabia has introduced six new visa types, known as ‘Premium Residency products,’ to attract skilled professionals and investments to enhance the country’s status as a global hub. Interested parties can apply directly through the government’s online portal. The Premium Residency program has six categories, each with different requirements and durations: Entrepreneur Business Investor Property Investor Privileged Residency Established Talent Exceptional Competence All categories of applicants will reap the following benefits: Residency in Saudi Arabia, including for parents, spouses, and children under the age of 25 Freedom to move between facilities…
Bruce Nsereko Lule (General Partner, Seedstars) Seedstars Africa Ventures has received a $30 million capital commitment from EIB Global, an arm of the European Investment Bank, which becomes the first major institutional investment for its first Pan-African venture capital fund. The new commitment follows a $8 million investment from the fund’s anchor investor French private equity firm LBO France. The fund targets to close at between $80 million and $100 million to back seed and series A startups, and offer follow-on funding up to Series B, bridging an extensive capital gap, and supporting startups beyond accelerator programs. The VC firm’s…