Best Andrew Ayodeji Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 19 - The War on Wind Energy: Julie Tighe Breaks Down the Fight for Clean Power 44:57

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7d ago44:57

44:57

Welcome to Policy & Culture — where power meets the people. In this episode, we sit down with Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) and NYLCV Education Fund, to cut through the noise and expose the real story behind offshore wind, clean energy, and the growing political backlash against climate solutions in Ne…

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The Global Language of Entrepreneurship: Connecting Ecosystems Across Continents with Harvard iLab's Rym Baouendi 31:11

1M ago31:11

31:11

What happens when you tell a country demanding jobs to create them instead? Rym Baouendi did exactly that in post-revolution Tunisia, co-founding the country's first coworking space and fundamentally changing how a generation thought about opportunity. Now Director of Alumni Innovation & Engagement at Harvard Innovation Lab, Rym has lived across co…

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How Brenton Naicker is Building Africa's Blockchain Future From The Frontlines 36:38

2M ago36:38

36:38

What happens when you read the Bitcoin whitepaper to find loopholes and make quick money? For Brenton Naicker, Principal at CV VC Africa, those 8 pages completely changed his life trajectory. In this episode of The Grinders Table, Brenton shares his journey from aspiring Wall Street banker to one of Africa's most influential blockchain advocates. W…

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Ep. 18 - The Role of the New York Secretary of State w/ Walter T. Mosley 42:05

2M ago42:05

42:05

Episode 18 – The Role of the New York Secretary of State w/ Walter T. Mosley In this episode of Policy & Culture, we are joined by Walter T. Mosley, who shares his insights on the vital role of the New York Secretary of State and its impact on governance, economic development, and community engagement across the state. Walter breaks down the wide-r…

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From Cyber Cafes to Y Combinator: Building Africa's Financial Future 41:26

2M ago41:26

41:26

In this episode, we sit down with Wale Akanbi, one of the co-founders of Aella. Aella became the first African lending fintech admitted to Y Combinator in 2017 and has since served over 2 million users across Nigeria and the Philippines. Wale's journey, from teaching himself programming in Nigerian cyber cafes to building AI-powered financial inclu…

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The Outlier's Path: Building Africa's Healthcare Future with Ayodeji Alaran (Founder, PBR Insights) 32:45

3M ago32:45

32:45

What do you do when you discover a $281 billion problem that global pharmaceutical companies can't solve? If you're Ayodeji Alaran, you leave your corporate job and build the solution from your house in Lagos. In this episode, Ayodeji shares the remarkable journey from pharmacy school to founding PBR Life Sciences, now building one of Africa's larg…

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Ep. 17 - The Role of a NYC Councilman w/ Kevin Riley 1:04:33

3M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

Episode 17 – The Role of a NYC Councilman w/ Kevin Riley In this episode of Policy & Culture, we’re joined by Council Member Kevin C. Riley, who represents New York City’s 12th Council District in the Bronx. From his roots growing up in Williamsbridge to his role as Chair of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and Co-Chair of the Black, Latin…

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Ep. 16 - How to Become an Elected Official w/ Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks 46:09

3M ago46:09

46:09

In this episode of Policy & Culture, we are joined by Olena Nicks, Nassau County Legislator and proud native of Uniondale, New York—a community with a long-standing tradition of civic participation and grassroots advocacy. Olena shares her inspiring journey from a civically engaged youth to becoming one of the youngest elected officials in Nassau C…

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Why Africa Needs Boring First with Bernard Laurendeau 37:45

4M ago37:45

37:45

Bernard Laurendeau built Ethiopia's first licensed payment system operator, advised the Prime Minister's office on job creation, and now operates from Tokyo helping Japanese billions find their way into African markets. But he has a contrarian message: Africa needs to stop chasing sexy tech and focus on boring infrastructure first. In this conversa…

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Ep. 15 - Built to Lead, Called to Serve w/CEO Vanessa Baird-Streeter 1:00:48

4M ago1:00:48

1:00:48

In this powerful episode of Policy and Culture, we sit down with Vanessa Baird-Streeter, CEO of the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island, for a candid and inspiring conversation about leadership, legacy, and service. Vanessa shares her journey from entrepreneur to trusted public servant, reflecting on her time as Deputy County Executive of Suffo…

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When Revolution Meets Innovation: Dr. Houda Ghozzi's Journey from Academia to Ecosystem Builder 32:47

4M ago32:47

32:47

Dr. Houda Ghozzi, founder of Open Startup (OST), shares her journey from professor to pan-African ecosystem builder. Following Tunisia's revolution, she transformed uncertainty into opportunity, now helping young entrepreneurs across 19 African countries develop through "hope, skills, and exposure." Houda discusses entrepreneurship as a common lang…

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Survive First, Scale Later: Tunji Andrews on Resilience, Regulation and Retirement Planning 40:03

5M ago40:03

40:03

After a decade as Nigeria's leading financial literacy advocate, Tunji Andrews realized education alone wasn't enough. Inspired by an elderly lottery agent from his childhood who fell into poverty, he founded Awabah to bring pension solutions to Nigeria's informal sector workers. In this candid conversation, Tunji reveals how his company is using l…

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The Builder's Mindset: Yassine Laghzioui on Entrepreneurship, Deep Tech, and Africa's Future 32:52

5M ago32:52

32:52

Yassine Laghzioui, CEO of UM6P Ventures and Director of Entrepreneurship at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, joins The Grinders Table to discuss building Africa's innovation ecosystem through deep tech investment. When Yassine chose to return to Morocco while his peers stayed abroad, he embarked on a journey to transform how innovation happens i…

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Ep. 14 - Building the Future with Matthew Aracich 51:53

6M ago51:53

51:53

Episode 14: Building the Future with Matthew Aracich President – Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties In this episode of Policy and Culture, we sit down with Matthew Aracich, a third-generation union member and the dynamic President of the Nassau-Suffolk Building and Construction Trades Council, representing over …

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RESHARE: Scaling E-Commerce in Africa: Insights from Jumia's Ex CEO - Massimiliano Spalazzi 24:17

6M ago24:17

24:17

In this reshared episode, Uwem speaks with Massimiliano 'Massi' Spalazzi, former CEO of Jumia Nigeria and early employee who helped scale the company to become Africa's first tech IPO on the NYSE. Key highlights: The origins of Jumia in Nigeria and early challenges of building an e-commerce pioneer How Jumia introduced cash-on-delivery to transform…

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Ep. 13 - Clean Energy for the Culture – Live with 19 Keys & Jim Jones 48:06

6M ago48:06

48:06

🎙️ Episode 13: Clean Energy for the Culture – Live with 19 Keys & Jim Jones In this powerful live event edition of @policynculture, we bring you front-row access to an electrifying conversation between visionary thought leader 19 Keys and cultural icon Jim Jones—recorded live at the Clean Energy for the Culture kickoff event at Nassau Coliseum, hos…

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Technology, Faith, and Purpose: Jelle Schuitemaker's Mission to Reduce Child Mortality with Goal 3 36:20

6M ago36:20

36:20

In this episode of The Grinders Table, we speak with Jelle Schuitemaker, co-founder of Goal 3, whose innovative patient monitoring system has reduced child mortality by 42% in African hospitals. Jelle shares his journey from first encountering global inequality in the Philippines to building technology that's transforming healthcare in low-resource…

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Leading by Following: Ghita Zniber's Unique Approach to African Startup Investment with Kalys Ventures 42:24

7M ago42:24

42:24

In this enlightening conversation, Ghita Zniber, co-founder of Kalys Ventures, shares her unique journey from rugby player to venture capitalist. Discover her "first follower" philosophy reshaping African startup investment and how a childhood conversation with her father about values became the foundation for her business approach. Ghita reveals w…

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Building Deep Tech in Kenya: The Octavia Carbon Story with Martin Freimüller 44:38

7M ago44:38

44:38

From train driver's son in Austria to building Africa's pioneering Direct Air Capture company, Martin Freimüller shares his journey of building Octavia Carbon in Kenya. In this episode, we explore why Kenya is the world's best place for DAC, the reality of building deep tech with local talent, and the true tests of entrepreneurial conviction. Marti…

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Ep. 12 - From Roosevelt to Restaurant Success with Chef Kenny Ware 1:15:51

8M ago1:15:51

1:15:51

In this episode of @policynculture, we sit down with Chef Kenny Ware, Owner of Backyard BBQ and President of the Black Restaurant Coalition, to talk about his journey from Roosevelt, NY to becoming a top-tier chef and entrepreneur. 🍽️🔥 Kenny dives into the rich history of Roosevelt—home to legends like Dr. J and Chuck D—and shares the ups and downs…

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Influencing African Tech from Dakar: Sabrine Chahrour's Journey in Venture Capital 32:12

8M ago32:12

32:12

What happens when a Lebanese-born, Paris-educated investment banker returns to Dakar and discovers her true calling in venture capital? In this deeply personal episode, Sabrine Chahrour, Investor at Partech Africa, takes us through her remarkable journey from Googling "what is venture capital" to becoming a key player in Africa's tech ecosystem. Bu…

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Ep. 11 - The Labor Union Movement, Strengthening Communities & Career Opportunities w/ Ryan Stanton, Executive Director of the Long Island Federation of Labor 56:01

8M ago56:01

56:01

In this episode of @policynculture, we sit down with Ryan Stanton, Executive Director of the Long Island Federation of Labor, to break down what it takes to start a career in union construction and trades. 🏗️ Ryan shares his journey into the labor movement, explains the vital role unions play in strengthening the American middle class, and defines …

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Navigating the Challenges in African Healthcare: with Tobias Reiter (CEO, Viebeg) 33:27

8M ago33:27

33:27

In this episode of The Grinders Table, we take a journey into the transformative world of healthcare in Africa with our guest, Tobias, CEO of Viebeg. Tobias, originally from Vienna, Austria, has spent over seven years in East Africa, where he has witnessed firsthand the critical challenges faced by healthcare providers, particularly the lack of rel…

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Ep. 10 - Syracuse to SUNY: Dr. Timothy Sams on Leadership, Pan-Africanism & Shaping Future Minds 1:17:55

9M ago1:17:55

1:17:55

🚨 In Episode 10 of @policynculture, we sat down with Dr. Timothy E. Sams, President of SUNY Old Westbury, for a thought-provoking and inspiring conversation you don’t want to miss! Dr. Sams reflects on his journey from Syracuse, NY, growing up in the 70s, and how the wisdom of his grandparents and teachers shaped his path to leadership. As Presiden…

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Ep. 09 - Clean Energy, Offshore Wind, and the State of Black Long Island w/ Retha Fernandez 56:52

9M ago56:52

56:52

In this episode of the @policynculture podcast, we sit down with Retha Fernandez, Manager of Workforce Development & Equity, to explore the opportunities and policies shaping clean energy and offshore wind developments across Long Island and New York. 🌊⚡ Retha shares insights into the growing clean energy sector, its impact on workforce development…

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Ep. 08 - Dan Bythewood: Redeveloping "The Wire" Neighborhood in Baltimore and the Art of Urban Development 51:33

11M ago51:33

51:33

In this episode of the @policynculture podcast, we sit down with Dan Bythewood, President and Co-Founder of La Cité Development, to explore his journey as a real estate financier and developer. With a career spanning major projects in New York and internationally, Dan shares his insights into the complex real estate market and the critical role of …

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Ep. 07 - Bryant Postell: From NYC Party Promoter to Black Restaurant Coalition Founder 58:53

11M ago58:53

58:53

In this episode, we sit down with Bryant Postell, Founder of the Black Restaurant Coalition, to talk about his journey from the lively NYC 90's party scene to becoming a fine dining restaurant owner. Bryant shares insights from his early days at the University of Albany, Greek life, and his lessons on timing and finding the right entry point to mak…

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Ep. 06 - The Discipline to Raise Millions for an Idea: Derek Peterson’s Journey as a Tech CEO 53:27

11M ago53:27

53:27

In Episode 06 of the @policynculture podcast, we sit down with Derek Peterson, CEO of Soter Technologies, to explore his journey from his upbringing to becoming a successful tech founder and CEO. Derek opens up about his pathway into technology and engineering, the unique challenges of being a Black male CEO on Long Island, and his passion for ment…

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Ep. 05 - Inside Suffolk County: Legislator Jason Richberg on Local Leadership and Civic Engagement 52:34

11M ago52:34

52:34

The Role of a Suffolk County Legislator and Suburban Elected Official W/ Jason Richberg In our next episode, we sit down with Suffolk County Legislator Jason Richberg to dive into Suffolk County politics and the structure of the legislative branch. 🏛️ He shares his journey to becoming an elected official and what it takes to navigate local governme…

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Ep. 04 - Breaking Barriers: DuWayne Gregory's Journey to Leadership and Civic Impact 48:46

12M ago48:46

48:46

In this episode, we sit down with Babylon Town Councilman DuWayne Gregory to discuss his remarkable journey to becoming the first African American Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature. 💼 He shares his experiences breaking barriers, leading with purpose, and navigating the challenges of local government. We also explore the role of a …

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Ep. 03 - From Idea to Law: Reparations, Clean Slate, and the NY Legislative Process w/ Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages 47:56

12M ago47:56

47:56

We sat down with Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages of Assembly District 22 for a compelling conversation on her work as a New York State legislator and her efforts to create meaningful change in her community. We delved into her role in passing a bill to study the impact of reparations further, exploring how historical injustices can be addressed …

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Ep. 02 - The Power of Local Politics w/ Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe 52:11

1y ago52:11

52:11

In this episode of the @policynculture podcast, we sit down with Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe, who shares how she expertly balances being a community leader, elected official, and political strategist. Legislator Bynoe discusses the challenges of navigating local politics while ensuring that the voices of her community are heard and represe…

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Ep. 01 - Live w/ Earn your Leisure (Rashaad Bilal & Troy Millings) 34:37

1y ago34:37

34:37

Earn Your Leisure, the popular financial education platform, made an impactful appearance at the 2023 We Are The Future summit, hosted by Policy and Culture's Daniel Lloyd and Andrew Ayodeji. The founders of Earn Your Leisure, Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, addressed an audience of high school students, focusing on the critical topic of financial …

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From high performance sports to retail success, our chat with Amber Penney (Co-founder, Faro) 36:21

1y ago36:21

36:21

Amber Penny, co-founder of Faro, a sustainable fashion brand, joined the podcast to share her journey and insights. She discussed her background in high-performance sports, the challenges of managing a startup, and the importance of building a strong team culture. Amber highlighted the value of vulnerability in leadership and the impact of creating…

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Balancing Passion and Business: Lara Dendy Young's Story with Conservio 33:26

1+ y ago33:26

33:26

In this episode, I interview Lara Dendy Young, the co-founder of Conservio. Lara shares her background as a South African with a passion for nature conservation and wildlife. She discusses her experience in water polo and how it has shaped her work ethic and teamwork skills. Lara talks about the journey of founding Conservio with her business partn…

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The Operator's Edge: A conversation with Seni Sulyman (Founder, Talstack) 37:28

1+ y ago37:28

37:28

In our latest podcast episode, we had an enriching conversation with Seni Sulyman. We explore Seni's journey from a hands-on operator who helps scale one of Africa's unicorns (Andela) to a visionary founder. He shares invaluable insights on problem-solving, crafting processes, and strategic execution - the backbone of any prosperous company.Seni em…

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Navigating Success with Oyin Solebo 37:09

1+ y ago37:09

37:09

We had Oyin Selebo, MD of Techstars Lagos on the Grinders Table in the episode. Oyin shares insights on succeeding in the startup ecosystem as a founder and investor, offering her unique perspective from experiences in wealth management, strategy consulting, and startup mentorship.Join us as we discuss the traits of successful startup leaders, the …

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Repost: Clive Butkow's guide to navigating success in Business 18:23

1+ y ago18:23

18:23

This episode is a repost from Season 1 of our podcast. Clive Butkow shared his extensive journey from his early entrepreneurial ventures to his impressive tenure at Accenture, and his eventual founding of Kaylon Venture Partners after a brief retirement. This episode was not just a deep dive into the mechanics of venture capital but also a mastercl…

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Investing in Africa's Future: Kola Aina's Path to Ventures Platform 34:33

1+ y ago34:33

34:33

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kola Aina, a Nigerian entrepreneur turned Venture Capitalist, who shared his journey from starting a technology business to becoming a key player in the African investment landscape. Kola began his career in corporate finance before venturing into entrepreneurship with his company, Emerging Pl…

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Building an effective company culture with Jem HR's Caroline van der Merwe 32:52

1+ y ago32:52

32:52

Join Caroline van der Merwe, co-founder of Jem HR, in a candid conversation with Uwem on the Grinders Table Podcast. Caroline shares insights on her journey as an entrepreneur, the importance of values in leadership, and the power of having difficult conversations. Discover how Caroline navigates the challenges of startup life, the significance of …

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The African startup landscape, a conversation with Oo Nwoye (Part 2) 35:04

1+ y ago35:04

35:04

In the second part of my conversation with Oo Nwoye on The Grinders Table, we shift our focus to venture capital, innovation, and the global tech landscape. Oo shares his insights on how venture capital can effectively support startups, the importance of domain expertise in angel investing, and the risks of providing too much capital too early. We …

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The African startup landscape, a conversation with Oo Nwoye (Part 1) 37:23

1+ y ago37:23

37:23

This week, I had the honour of hosting Oo Nwoye at The Grinders Table. Oo stands out as a key figure in Africa's startup ecosystem, providing advisory services to startups and serving as an exceptional source of deal flow for investors interested in the continent. He shared so much that I split the conversation into two episodes. We dive deep into …

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Building an Integrated Life with Kanini Mutooni 23:42

1+ y ago23:42

23:42

Today, we're celebrating International Women's Day by revisiting one of our favourite episodes. Joining me is the remarkable Kanini Matooni, a voice that resonates with empowerment and inspiration. In this episode, we dive into Kanini's journey, her challenges, and the triumphs that define the essence of womanhood. So, whether you're a long-time li…

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Scaling E-Commerce in Africa: Insights from Jumia's Ex CEO - Massimiliano Spalazzi 27:45

1+ y ago27:45

27:45

In this episode of the Grinders Table podcast, we're excited to feature Massimiliano Spalazzi, the former CEO of Jumia Nigeria and Group Executive VP Marketplace at Jumia. Join us as Massi shares his remarkable journey of being one of the first employees at Jumia and playing a pivotal role in the company's inception in Nigeria in 2012. Massi opens …

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Redefining Tourism Through Technology with David Gonahasa 33:05

1+ y ago33:05

33:05

Join us on an inspiring journey as David Gonahasa, Founder of Tripessa, takes us from his early beginnings on the streets of Uganda to revolutionizing the tourism sector with RoundBob, and now Tripessa. His narrative is not just one of success, but of resilience, as he navigates the trials of pioneering internet ventures and leadership roles in a p…

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Breaking Barriers and Building Networks: A Conversation with June Angelides MBE 36:53

1+ y ago36:53

36:53

In this episode of the Grinders Table podcast, I sit down with June Angelides MBE, a trailblazer and advocate for diversity in the startup ecosystem. June is the founding partner at Levare Ventures which backs early-stage startups across E-commerce, Fintech, Healthtech, Future of Work and B2B Saas across sub-saharan Africa. She has invested across …

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The Intersection of Tech, Policy and Entrepreneurship with Oswald Osaretin Guobadia 28:00

1+ y ago28:00

28:00

I am delighted to have Oswald Osaritin Guobadia as our guest on the Grinders Table Podcast today. He is a prominent figure in the Nigerian Tech Ecosystem who played a key role in passing The Nigerian Startup Act. Oswald's story is a powerful narrative of transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of value. His insights on career change, the import…

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Mastering the art of building a business with Anil Atma (CEO, Kreem Inc) 27:33

1+ y ago27:33

27:33

For this episode, I had a wholesome conversation with Anil Atma, a savvy entrepreneur and advisor to various venture funds, startups and businesses in Nigeria, including a unicorn. We explore the fascinating world of tech and business, and what entrepreneurs need to focus on as they build. Whether you dream of launching your startup, scaling your e…

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Turning lemons to lemonade with Seyi Abolaji (Founder, Wilson's Juice Co) 33:23

1+ y ago33:23

33:23

Join us on a captivating journey with Seyi Abolaji, who went from pursuing his football aspirations to becoming a leader in the Nigeria Food and Beverage industry with Wilsons Juice Co, aka, Wilson's Lemonade. In this episode, we dive deep into Seyi's pursuit of impact over comfort, his dedication to personal growth, and his dogged pursuit of impac…

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A Journey of Resilience: Joe Kinvi's Path to Pan-African Impact 33:15

1+ y ago33:15

33:15

On the first episode of this season, we dive into Joe Kinvi's inspiring story, a visionary whose roots in Togo have branched out to make a Pan-African impact in the business world. We trace Joe's remarkable journey from an accounting and finance student in Dublin to building one of Africa's top investment syndicates - Hoaq. His story is a mastercla…