• How FoodCourt is revolutionising food delivery in Nigeria with virtual kitchens
    Dec 16 2024

    On this episode of the podcast, FoodCourt CEO Henry Nneji takes us behind the scenes of their journey to profitability, from bootstrapping to joining Y Combinator and scaling operations across Lagos.

    Henry shares insights into the challenges of operating in a market where infrastructure issues, inflation, and consumer behavior heavily influence business decisions.

    From navigating early setbacks, such as landlord disputes, to embracing data-driven strategies for efficiency and menu design, this episode dives deep into the complexities of building a sustainable food tech startup in Nigeria.

    We also explore FoodCourt’s expansion plans, the role of technology in enhancing customer experience, and their focus on maintaining consistent quality while scaling.

    Show more Show less
    43 mins
  • Exploring CVC's role in Africa's growth with Benjamin Toulouze, Head of Corporate Venture Capital & Managing Director at Axian Group
    Dec 4 2024

    Corporate venture capital is relatively new in the African venture capital space, but it has increasing potential. This week on the podcast, we sit with Benjamin Toulouze, the head of Corporate Venture Capital & Managing Director at Axian Group, a pan-African group with a presence in 15 countries.

    Benjamin is an experienced corporate venture capitalist and in this episode, we discuss the intersection of corporate and traditional venture capital, and how both can complement each other to drive startup success.

    We dive into the importance of stability and regulatory harmony in Africa's growth and explore promising sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, health tech, and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.

    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • June Angelides, Partner at Levare Ventures, on championing gender diversity, backing Africa’s boldest startups, and the power of grit in entrepreneurship
    Nov 25 2024

    This week, we sit down with June Angelides MBE, partner at Levare Ventures and one of the Financial Times’ Most Influential Tech Leaders.

    With over 13 years of experience spanning venture debt, venture capital, and entrepreneurship, June has carved a niche in backing startups across Africa and Europe.

    From launching the UK’s first child-friendly coding school, Mums in Tech, to investing in startups like Chowdeck, Raenest, and Ruka Hair, June's career exemplifies her belief in doing impactful work while having fun.

    In this episode, she shares her journey from Thomson Reuters Bank to venture capital, her approach to spotting resilient founders, and why she’s passionate about fostering diversity in tech.

    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • Building with conviction: Lessons from Salad Africa's CEO, Chikodi Ukaiwe
    Nov 11 2024

    In this episode, we sit down with Chikodi Ukaiwe, CEO of Salad Africa, to explore the differences between conviction and resilience in entrepreneurship.

    Drawing from his experiences at Salad Africa and previous roles at Jumia and Konga, Chikodi argues that conviction — knowing your "why" — is essential for founders aiming to tackle big problems.

    He shares insights on how rigid resilience can hinder growth, the value of a no-code approach to early-stage problem validation, and the importance of cultivating team alignment.

    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • Why African countries must work together to improve cross border payments
    Oct 28 2024

    For all the progress recorded in Africa's fintech sector, cross border payments remain a significant challenge for businesses and individuals.

    In this conversation, Austin Okpagu, Country Director for VertoFX shares his thoughts on some of the challenges innovators in the space battle with. He notes that a coordinated approach is required to ease cross border payments across Africa and highlights the role of partnerships in achieving this.

    Show more Show less
    30 mins
  • Pricepally CEO, Luther Lawoyin on navigating the complexities of grocery delivery in Nigeria
    Oct 13 2024

    Nigerians spend more than half of their earnings on food. In recent years, a slew of startups have sprung up looking to ease the process of purchasing food for Nigerians.

    One of this startups is Pricepally founded in 2019 by Luther Lawoyin, Deepak Bansal, Jummai Abalaka, and Mosunmola Lawoyin.

    In this conversation, Luther who is on his fourth startup and serves as the startup's CEO shares why he chose entrepreneurship over salaried employment, the challenges of building a successful grocery delivery platform, and the importance of a strong co-founder relationship.

    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • "You cannot have great marketing if the founder doesn't understand marketing." — Princewill Akuma, B2B Digital Marketer
    Oct 8 2024

    How important is it for a startup founder to understand marketing? Extremely important, according to Princewill Akuma, a B2B Digital Marketer.

    On this episode of the podcast, we discuss his career journey, including moving from being a DJ to becoming a digital marketer. He also talks about some of the steps he took during the process as well as lessons for startup founders looking to boost their marketing efforts.

    Show more Show less
    49 mins
  • Avoid these common startup mistakes
    Sep 22 2024
    In this episode of the podcast, we dive into the world of entrepreneurship with Tamara Posibi, Chief Consultant at Irtus Business.

    Tamara has worked with over 100 businesses across four continents, helping them scale, raise funds, and develop sound business strategies.

    Drawing from her experience, she discusses the common mistakes young entrepreneurs make, like focusing on branding before securing customers or assigning leadership roles too early.

    Tamara also shares insights on how to balance being a first mover and how to stay patient through tough business decisions. She emphasises the importance of customer interaction and why startups should prioritise market validation over early fundraising.
    Show more Show less
    32 mins