Nkem Ezeamama – ER physician turned Real Estate entrepreneur From physician to Real Estate investor, Nkem Ezeamama shares what counts when it comes to pivoting careers, and the importance therein of taking control of your personal narrative and life-changing choices. Here’s how Nkem’s a-ha moment kicked in: “I started my life from scratch in my early 30s…(My overnight success that took more than a decade…)(Age 15) – Moving to the USA from Nigeria:This transition marked the beginning of a new chapter.A beginning with aspirations and the promise of endless possibilities.It was a HUGE step into a world of new opportunities.(Age…
Author: Admin
📸 Maria Rotilu Maria Rotilu (ex Octopus Ventures and Oxford Seed Fund) is the Founder of OpenseedVC and wants to be the proverbial first cheque received by startups that are launched by experienced operators across Africa and Europe.Based in London, OpenseedVC has just reached the first close of its $10 million angel-style, early-stage fund, and fully intends to provide cheques of up to $150,000 to startups focusing on the future of commerce (including B2B software, AI, and fintech), future of work, and digital health. Says Rotilu: We exist to back the most talented and experienced operators from day zero. As…
One of 10 entrepreneurs: Nora Majero’s Drop Access (Kenya) manufactures and supplies solar-powered cold chain solutions to rural communities Meet the 10 local leaders who make up the 2024 Acumen Energy for Livelihoods Accelerator. They are consistently unbundling barriers to clean and affordable energy for all: Amein Eskinder (Fiberkiosk, Ethiopia) Fiberkiosk (Ethiopia) tackles the pressing issues of energy access and economic disparity in underserved Ethiopian communities. Through a network of micro-entrepreneurs running solar kiosks, they provide access to charging and refrigeration to communities, and income for the operators. Celeste Tchetgen Vogel (eWAKA Mobility, Kenya) eWAKA Mobility (Kenya) provides eco-friendly, electric…
An elegant atmosphere, Mediterranean charm, and your choice of views onto the hills, the Shape Club pool, or the Garrigue Scrubland – this is the kind of comfort, connection, and mindfulness you will find at the heart of Lily of the Valley – a wellness retreat conceived by father and daughter duo, Alain and Lucie Weill. Looking over the sandy Gigaro beach (just five minutes away), the stunning property is a short 20 minutes from Saint-Tropez (France), and welcomes guests to a year-round wellness sanctuary This luxury wellness is hotel was designed by the famous Philippe Starck and draws inspiration…
The Impact Hub (Lagos) – one of the world’s largest networks building entrepreneurial communities for impact at scale – is excited to welcome the latest cohort of innovative startups to Nigeria, through the Validate.Global program! 🚀During their time in the country, these trailblazing ventures will be exploring new business and impact opportunities while the Hub facilitates engagement with key sector stakeholders and potential partners in order to accelerate their goal of making impact.The startups are: 1. NjordFrey (Kigali, Raanda): Providing sustainable tech-enabled farming solutions to empower smallholders for food and income security.2. MedShr: a secure medical education platform that enables…
Yesterday, we presented MaaD, (read here), one of the mission-driven founders backed by the Ventures Platform Fund. And there’s more. Here’s a recap of some of of the Fund’s recent investments in companies building the future of Africa, through innovative market-creating solutions: 🇪🇬 Karcel (formerly known as Voom)Founders: Abobakr Elmashtoly, Mohammed KamelOn a mission to digitize used car transactions in Egypt, Karcel offers a secure platform for seamless transactions, advanced technical inspection procedures, a transparent online pricing system and financing options for both users and merchants. The company aims to be the go-to digital automotive platform, empowering individuals and businesses at any phase of their…
A post by Onyekachi Izukanne (Co-Founder, Trade Depot), in memory of Chidi Akubuiro (Managing Director of Operations at Trade Depot): Journey well, brother.With profound sorrow and deep gratitude, we celebrate the life of Chidi Akubuiro—a beloved colleague, a cherished friend, and an unparalleled leader. His legacy is intricately woven with threads of unwavering integrity, boundless warmth, and an unyielding commitment to excellence.Chidi joined TradeDepot in 2020 with a visionary approach, eager to transform and innovate within our industry. He was not merely filling a role; he was answering a deep calling. With a mission to reinvigorate every facet of our…
Jehiel Oliver (Founder & CEO, Hello Tractor) Hello Tractor (an award-winning diversified Agritech company focused on improving food and income security throughout sub-Saharan Africa) has congregated to wish its CEO, Jehiel Oliver, a resounding happy birthday! Yesterday, the company said, in a statement: For 10-years, Jehiel Oliver, our CEO, has been at the forefront of pioneering advancements in AgTech, mechanisation, and climate-smart agriculture.Today, as he celebrates his birthday, all of us at Hello Tractor join his family, friends, and all our partners to wish Jehiel a very Happy Birthday!Here’s to many more years of innovation and success! Hello Tractor facilitates…
Ham Serunjogi (Co-Founder & CEO, Chipper Cash) African payments infrastructure company, Chipper Cash, is pleased to announce an important partnership with Block (formerly known as Square), to expand the power of the tbDEX protocol across Africa. Block, Inc. (formerly Square, Inc.) is a financial technology company that owns Square. Jack Dorsey (former CEO of X (formerly Twitter), is the top individual shareholder, owning 10% of the company 📸 Eva Marie Uzcategui The tbDEX protocol is an open financial protocol that can move value anywhere around the world in a more efficient and cost-effective way than what is possible through traditional methods.…
The Ventures Platform fund is thrilled to announce its lead in the $3.2 million seed round investment in Maad, a tech and logistics platform transforming the retail landscape in Francophone Africa.Launched in 2021, the platform reduces the barriers to access and cost of delivering goods, aligning perfectly with the Fund’s thesis of backing market-creating innovations that solve for non-consumption. Kola AIna (Founding Partner, Ventures Platform Fund) Unsurprisingly, Maad has quickly become a key solution for informal retailers in Senegal, providing a one-stop shop for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Says the Ventures Platform Fund: Their innovative approach connects small retailers directly…