Afripreneur
Bukola Babajide On Empowering Women In The Tech Ecosystem
Bukola Babajide is a highly accomplished business transformation consultant and the visionary Founder of Female Techpreneur. With over 17 years of experience in the Tech industry, Bukola has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results in digital transformation and business Consulting. As strategist and start-up advisor, Bukola specialise in guiding founders and professionals through every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. With expertise in ideation, go-to-market strategy, and execution. In this Interview with Alaba Ayinuola of Business Africa Online (BAO), Bukola shares her entrepreneurship journey and how she is passionately turning tech ideas into successful ventures.
Alaba: To start with, could you share your entrepreneurship journey?
Bukola: My journey began with my mum who although trained as a teacher had her hands in business, little knowledge of entrepreneurship, but with a relentless drive to succeed. I’ve always valued quality and understood the cost of achieving it. Through trial and error, I learned that entrepreneurship is a path to overcoming adversity. While not every venture succeeded, each failure provided invaluable lessons that propelled me forward. The idea of launching a Tech community for women emerged from a desire to bridge a gap in the industry.
Alaba: As the founder of female techpreneur, could you please tell us more about this community and its impact so far?
Bukola: The Female Techpreneur community is set up to support women into Tech either professionally or as an entrepreneur. We also help founders thrive by providing access to programmes and initiatives to create access to resources, investors and peer to peer networking.
Alaba: What challenges have you encountered working with this female tech community, and how have you addressed them?
Bukola: Working with the female tech community has been incredibly rewarding, but we’ve encountered some challenges along the way. One major challenge has been addressing the gender disparities and biases that still exist within the tech industry. Women often face barriers to access funding, opportunities for advancement, and equal representation in leadership positions.
To address these challenges, we’ve implemented several strategies:
- Creating a Supportive Environment: We’ve worked to create a supportive and inclusive environment where women feel empowered to share their ideas, experiences, and challenges without fear of judgment or discrimination. This includes fostering open dialogue, providing mentorship and support networks, and offering resources tailored to the needs of women in tech.
- Promoting Visibility and Representation: We’ve made a concerted effort to amplify the voices and visibility of women in tech through various channels, including events, workshops, and online platforms. By showcasing success stories and highlighting the achievements of women in the industry, we aim to inspire and empower others to pursue careers in tech.
- Advocating for Change: We’ve actively advocated for policies and initiatives that promote gender diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. This includes advocating for equal pay, addressing unconscious bias in hiring and promotion processes, and supporting initiatives to increase the representation of women in leadership roles.
- Providing Access to Resources and Opportunities: We’ve worked to provide women in tech with access to resources, opportunities, and networks that can help them succeed in their careers. This includes offering mentorship programs, funding opportunities, training programs, and networking events specifically tailored to the needs of women entrepreneurs and professionals.
Overall, while there are certainly challenges to overcome, we remain committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable tech community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
Alaba: Research shows that women-led startups often struggle to secure funding. Have you found this to be the case? What strategies do you recommend using to successfully secure funding?
Bukola: To successfully secure funding, consider these strategies:
- Develop a Solid Business Plan: Clearly outline your business model, target market, revenue streams, and growth projections. Investors want to see a well-thought-out plan that demonstrates potential for success.
- Identify the Right Investors: Research and target investors who have a track record of funding startups in your industry or niche. Consider angel investors, venture capitalists, crowdfunding platforms, or government grants, depending on your needs and stage of development.
- Create a Compelling Pitch: Craft a concise and compelling pitch that highlights your unique value proposition, market opportunity, traction, and team expertise. Practice delivering your pitch confidently, focusing on storytelling and engaging visuals.
- Build Relationships: Networking is key. Attend industry events, join startup accelerators or incubators, and leverage your existing connections to build relationships with potential investors. Establishing rapport and trust can significantly increase your chances of securing funding.
- Show Traction: Demonstrate progress and traction, whether it’s early customer acquisitions, revenue growth, product milestones, or partnerships. Tangible results validate your business concept and reduce perceived risk for investors.
- Be Transparent and Coachable: Be transparent about your challenges and setbacks, and demonstrate a willingness to learn and adapt. Investors appreciate founders who are open to feedback and can effectively utilize resources to overcome obstacles.
- Negotiate Wisely: When negotiating terms, prioritize a fair valuation and terms that align with your long-term goals. Consider seeking advice from experienced mentors or advisors to ensure you’re making informed decisions.
- Follow Up: After pitching to investors, follow up promptly and professionally. Provide any additional information they request and maintain regular communication to keep them updated on your progress.
By employing these strategies and staying persistent, you can increase your chances of successfully securing funding for your startup. Join our upcoming Investment Readiness Program for expert guidance. Register now for more details or to collaborate with us.
Alaba: You recently launched the female techpreneur founders lounge Lagos. What was the experience like and could you share updates on the next edition?
Bukola: Our recent event launch exceeded expectations, boasting seamless support organization, captivating content, and invaluable networking opportunities. Featuring a diverse lineup of speakers and fostering inclusivity, it left attendees inspired and connected. Our next one is scheduled for May 30th 2024.
Link to register: Founders Lounge
For collaboration or partnership opportunities, please contact us at: hello@femaletechpreneur.com
Alaba: How are you positioning female techpreneur to become the go-to platform for women-led tech startups?
Bukola: To position the Female Techpreneur as the go-to platform for women-led tech startups, we’re prioritising inclusivity by offering tailored programs, such as workshops and networking events, specifically addressing the needs of women entrepreneurs. For instance, we’ve launched mentorship programs pairing experienced professionals with women founders to provide guidance and support. Additionally, we’re actively showcasing success stories of women-led startups within our community to inspire others and challenge stereotypes. Through these efforts, we’re creating an ecosystem where women can access resources, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive in the tech industry.
Alaba: You are clearly a leader of learning. How do you balance investing in yourself with investing in the relationships you have with other people?
Bukola: Balancing self-investment with nurturing relationships is crucial for personal growth and meaningful connections. By prioritizing self-investment, such as learning new skills, pursuing passions, and maintaining physical and mental well-being, we enhance our capacity to contribute positively to our relationships. Conversely, investing in relationships through quality time, active listening, and support fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens mutual trust and understanding. Striking this balance involves setting boundaries, effective time management, and communicating openly with others about our needs and commitments. Ultimately, by investing in both ourselves and our relationships, we create a harmonious and fulfilling life.
Alaba: What is your advice to females in or aspiring to go into tech?
Bukola: For females already in or aspiring to enter the tech field, my advice is straightforward:
Own your passion and potential fully. Tech thrives on curiosity, resilience, and constant growth, so don’t let stereotypes or biases deter you. Seek out mentors, allies, and supportive communities to guide and uplift you. Take charge of your skill development through education, online resources, and hands-on projects. Remember, diversity in tech isn’t just beneficial—it’s necessary for innovation. Trust in your abilities, stay authentic, and never doubt the value you bring. Your voice matters, your perspective is vital, and your contributions are significant. Embrace the journey and forge your own path fearlessly.
Pharmacist Oluchi Anoruo is a visionary healthcare leader and a passionate advocate for global health and well-being. As the Co-founder and CEO of SmartPharm, Oluchi has leveraged her extensive experience to drive innovative solutions in the pharmaceutical industry. Her over six years of practice as a pharmacist have equipped her with a deep understanding of clinical practice, pharmaceutical management, and patient care. Under her leadership, SmartPharm is at the forefront of transforming access to healthcare products, ensuring better health outcomes for patients. In this interview with Alaba Ayinuola of Business Africa Online (BAO), Oluchi shares her entrepreneurship journey, advocacy for global health and well being and how she is addressing access to healthcare products in Nigeria with SmartPharm. Excerpts.
Alaba: Could you briefly share your entrepreneurial journey, and what inspired you to start a pharmacy aggregator startup?
Oluchi: My journey as a founder started in 2017 when I lost my aunt due to the lack of access to an emergency drug needed to reduce the swelling in her brain caused by head trauma she sustained in a car accident. Her death was preventable. This painful experience exposed me to the bottlenecks patients faced in accessing vital medications and made me more intentional as a pharmacist to help patients gain easy access to vital medications. Leveraging on the influence I had within my professional circle, in 2018, I created an e-directory of some Pharmacies in Owerri, Imo State on Google sheet which I regularly updated. This e-directory was extremely useful in quickly finding the Pharmacy in the community to visit for a particular medication.
Having no entrepreneurial or tech skills, I embarked on numerous self-development journeys that enabled me to gain the required skills. I enrolled in online courses on EDx for entrepreneurship. During this time (2019), I got selected by Circuit Pointe a women focused non-profit organization for a 5 months web development course. On completion, I equally got awarded the fully funded Andela/Google/Pluralsight scholarship on android development. It was during this program I got coaching that helped me to pursue product design as it was more relatable , human centred and gave me room to hone my problem solving skills. I enrolled in Pixels online design school, graduated top of my class and got a scholarship sponsored by UK tech hub to further develop my product design skills. During this time, I registered SmartPharm as a business name.
I went on to work remotely as a contract product designer for various healthtech companies while building SmartPharm and also working as a community pharmacist. As a testament to my academic, professional and social achievements, I enrolled at the Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM) in September 2021 as one of the selected sixty scholars for a fully funded one-year postgraduate program on tackling African perennial challenges. During my time in NUTM I was able to develop the first MVP of SmartPharm with the help of some colleagues who I parted ways with after the program. I also met one of my co-founders at NUTM. My co-founders and I have gone on ahead to achieve great milestones and we are positioning to achieve more towards our goal of changing the way Nigerians access their healthcare products.
Alaba: What specific problems does your platform solve?
Oluchi: We are addressing the poor and untimely access to healthcare products (medication, medical devices and pharmaceutical cosmetics) for persons who are in need of them.
Alaba: How does your platform aggregate pharmacy services, and what benefits do users gain?
Oluchi: We typically work with and onboard registered community pharmacies. Our users get to enjoy discounted prices offered in partnership with our partner pharmacies.
Alaba: Can you walk us through your platform’s key features and user experience?
Oluchi: Using smartpharm.net is pretty easy. Our platform is a webapp for now and you can find and order your health products in 3 easy steps – search, order and receive(door delivery or you can pick it up yourself.)
We pride ourselves in providing timely access to your medication and also delivery. On the average, we typically find and deliver within an hour (within Lagos). We are in Lagos for now.
Alaba: How do you ensure competitive pricing and discounts for users?
Oluchi: We are very customer centric and we are always on the lookout for our customers. Because we have a lot of pharmacies in our network, our customers get to choose the best price to buy their health products.
Alaba: What strategies do you employ to retain users and encourage repeat business?
Oluchi: It’s simple- we put the customers/users first.
Alaba: How has your entrepreneurial journey impacted your personal life and values?
Oluchi: Being an entrepreneur has given me the opportunity to make impact by contributing to reducing avoidable deaths due to poor and untimely access to health products and also instil values that made me over the years such as integrity, fair hearing, respect, empathy and discipline into my business through the way we treat people who work for us and they people we serve.
Alaba: Lastly, What role do you see pharmacy aggregators playing in improving healthcare outcomes?
Oluchi: I strongly believe that the adoption of tech enabled solutions into the healthtech (pharmacy tech space), will completely revolutionize the pharmacy space in the nearest future culminating in enhancing the way people access their health products subsequently helping to improve people’s health outcome. If Mr A can have constant access to affordable health products without the need to worry about his next refills or where to get his next refills, then he will be able to stay faithful to taking his medications with all things being equal.
B I O G R A P H Y
Pharmacist Oluchi Anoruo is a visionary healthcare leader and a passionate advocate for global health and well-being. With a robust educational background that includes a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Uyo and postgraduate studies at the Nigerian University of Technology and Management, Oluchi combines academic excellence with practical expertise. Her dedication to lifelong learning is evident in her numerous certifications, including notably Jim Leech Fellowship and Ashoka in Social Innovation in Health and Wellness.
As the Co-founder and CEO of SmartPharm, Oluchi has leveraged her extensive experience to drive innovative solutions in the pharmaceutical industry. Her over six years of practice as a pharmacist have equipped her with a deep understanding of clinical practice, pharmaceutical management, and patient care. Under her leadership, SmartPharm is at the forefront of transforming access to healthcare products, ensuring better health outcomes for patients.
Afripreneur
Redefining Real Estate Marketing: An Interview with Imelda Usoro Olaoye, Founder of Thinkmint
Imelda Usoro Olaoye is a seasoned sales and marketing leader who has worked in various sectors of the economy. Imelda is an expert in real estate, marketing consultancy, using new tools, technology and methods having successfully launched and run an award winning real estate digital marketing firm with branches in Lagos, Nigeria and Estonia, Europe; Thinkmint Nigeria and Europe. She started her real estate/home sector marketing career in Clarions UK after which she joined PropertyPro.ng where she rose to lead the company’s media, real estate transactions and exhibitions team. In this exclusive interview with Alaba Ayinuola of Business Africa Online (BAO), Imelda shares her entrepreneurship journey with a passion for creating solutions that meet people’s needs and the real estate market in Nigeria. Excerpts.
Alaba: Could you briefly share your entrepreneurship journey, and what inspired you to start a real estate deals marketing company?
Imelda: My entrepreneurship journey began with a passion for creating solutions that connect people with the resources they need. While working in media, exhibitions, and events, especially as the Head of Transactions, Media/Exhibitions and organising the African Real Estate Discussions & Awards (AFRECA) at Tolet.com.ng ; now PropertyPro.ng, I recognized a significant gap in the real estate market: the need for a platform that simplifies transactions and bridges the gap between buyers, sellers, and industry professionals. This inspired me to found Thinkmint, a real estate marketing company. It was born out of the desire to provide a seamless experience for clients and to use technology as a tool for creating accessibility and efficiency in real estate marketing.
Alaba: Can you share your experience in real estate marketing and notable achievements?
Imelda: Over the years, I’ve built a robust experience in real estate marketing by managing high-value transactions and leading teams to deliver measurable results. Notably, I spearheaded the launch of Real|Life Magazine, an innovative publication showcasing real estate opportunities, developed an online marketplace, www.thinkmint.ng/buyrealestate, which simplifies the discovery and purchase of offplan properties with No Agency Fees, Flexible Payment Plans and Low Entry Fees. Additionally, through events like the Real Estate Discussions and Awards (REDA), I’ve fostered industry networking and thought leadership, which have contributed to the visibility and credibility of Thinkmint in the real estate sector. We recently also launched a branch in Estonia, Europe to allow for ease of transactions for Nigerians in Diaspora.
Alaba: What services do you offer, and how do you differentiate your company from other platforms?
Imelda: Our services include real estate marketing, lead generation, content creation, and event management tailored specifically to the property sector. What sets us apart is our focus on integrating cutting-edge digital tools with traditional marketing techniques. We offer personalized solutions for clients, leveraging data analytics to optimize campaigns and drive results. Additionally, our platforms, including Real|Life Magazine and www.thinkmint.ng/buyrealestate, provide a unique blend of informative content and actionable opportunities, creating a comprehensive resource for the real estate market, with a focus on offplan properties.
Alaba: What marketing strategies do you find most effective for real estate deals, and how do you leverage technology in your marketing efforts?
Imelda: Digital marketing has proven to be the most effective strategy. We rely heavily on SEO, targeted social media campaigns, and email marketing to generate leads and close deals. Technology plays a crucial role in our operations—we use analytics tools to track campaign performance, understand customer behaviour, and refine our strategies. We also utilize CRM systems to manage client relationships effectively and online marketplaces to streamline property listings and inquiries.
Alaba: What trends do you see shaping the real estate industry in Nigeria?
Imelda: The industry is rapidly embracing technology, with the rise of online property listings and virtual tours gaining traction. There is also a growing interest in eco-friendly developments and smart homes, reflecting global trends. Additionally, flexible payment plans and increased involvement in public-private partnerships are helping to address housing deficits. As the market evolves, I see technology continuing to drive transparency and efficiency in real estate transactions.
Alaba: What inspired you to create a business women’s hub, and how do you aim to empower women in business?
Imelda: The platform Business Women Hub is a non-profit organization inspired by my belief in the power of collaboration and mentorship. Women often face unique challenges in business, including limited access to resources and networks. The hub serves as a platform to connect women entrepreneurs, provide educational resources, and create opportunities for collaboration and growth. Through workshops, networking events, and mentorship programs, we aim to equip women with the tools and support they need to thrive in their ventures. Business Women Hub specifically caters for women within their first five years in business and has grown to have over 1500 registered businesses located in Nigeria , South Africa , Kenya , United Kingdom, Canada , New Zealand, Australia & USA.
Alaba: What challenges do you see women facing in business, and how do you address them?
Imelda: Women often face challenges such as access to funding, balancing work-life responsibilities, and overcoming societal biases. To address these issues, I advocate for policies and programs that provide financial support and promote gender equity. Through the Business Women’s Hub, we create a supportive community where women can share experiences, learn from one another, and gain confidence to navigate these challenges.
Alaba: Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs and businesswomen?
Imelda: My advice is to stay resilient, consistent, embrace continuous learning, and never underestimate the value of networking. Build a strong support system and seek mentorship from those who have walked the path before you. Also, be open to innovation and leverage technology to create solutions that stand out. Most importantly, believe in yourself, and your vision—success often starts with a mindset of possibility.
B I O G R A P H Y
Imelda Usoro Olaoye is a seasoned sales and marketing leader who has worked in various sectors of the economy. Imelda is an expert in real estate, marketing consultancy, using new tools , technology & methods having successfully launched and run an award winning real estate digital marketing firm with branches in Lagos, Nigeria and Estonia, Europe ; Thinkmint Nigeria and Europe.
She started her real estate/home sector marketing career in Clarions UK after which she joined PropertyPro.ng where she rose to lead the company’s media, real estate transactions and exhibitions team. Prior to this she had worked in the banking and pharmaceutical industry.
A graduate of the University of Port- Harcourt, she has honed her skills in digital marketing, PR & advertising and business practice from the Edinburgh Business School.
Imelda is a member of the International Real Estate Federation, FIABCI. She is also the Founder of Business Women Hub, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth of female-owned businesses , especially within their first five years of existence, and 1303 DSylva Events.
Apart from being an entrepreneur, she is a very passionate business growth manager, an award winning real estate consultant and philanthropist.
Akpan Emmanuel and Uche Nwaobi are the Co-founders of International Community for Educational Technology – ICEDT makers of Ai Teacha, a teaching app that has an engaging and interactive experience for both educators and learners. As pioneers in the educational technology sphere, Akpan and Uche understand the evolving needs of teachers. They are on a mission to empower educators with tools that transcend traditional boundaries. In this exclusive interview with Alaba Ayinuola of Business Africa Online (BAO), Akpan and Uche share their journey and why they are committed to reshaping the landscape of teaching and learning through cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Excerpts.
Alaba: What inspired you to start an EdTech company focused on Africa?
Emmanuel: My inspiration came from witnessing the challenges educators and students face across Africa, particularly in underserved communities. Through initiatives like CS First Lagos Edu Consultant and Code Nigeria Project, I saw how technology could transform education by bridging gaps in access and quality. AI Teacha was born out of a desire to amplify this impact by empowering educators with AI-driven tools that reduce their workload, enhance student engagement, and improve learning outcomes. The platform represents my vision of using technology to make education accessible and equitable for all.
Alaba: Could you briefly share your personal experience with education in Africa and how it shaped your vision?
Uche: Having spent over 25 years in the classroom, I’ve experienced the daily challenges teachers face: overwhelming workloads, limited resources, and difficulty integrating technology into teaching. As a Microsoft Innovative Educator Master Trainer and TeachSDGs Ambassador, I’ve witnessed how transformative technology can be when used effectively. AI Teacha is my way of scaling those solutions. By combining local insights with global best practices, the platform addresses critical gaps, making it easier for educators to provide engaging and impactful lessons.
Alaba: What specific problems does your platform solve for African learners?
Emmanuel & Uche: AI Teacha solves several pressing issues;
Overburdened Educators: Teachers often spend countless hours on administrative tasks. AI Teacha automates processes like lesson planning and assessment creation, giving them more time to focus on teaching.
Resource Constraints: Many schools lack quality teaching materials. Our platform provides AI-driven tools that help create lesson aids, activities, and personalized learning resources. Educational Equity: Students in underserved regions often have limited access to engaging and inclusive learning experiences. AI Teacha bridges this gap by offering affordable, accessible tools that cater to diverse learning styles.
Alaba: Can you walk us through your platform’s key features and benefits?
Emmanuel & Uche: AI Teacha offers a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools designed to simplify teaching and improve student engagement:
Lesson Plan Generator: Automates lesson planning, saving educators significant time.
Assessment Generator: Provides customizable assessments tailored to student needs.
Visual Aid Generator: Enhances classroom learning with interactive visuals. Text-to-Audio Conversion: Supports auditory learners by converting text into audio resources.
Activity Generator: Creates engaging activities to boost classroom participation. These features reduce workload by up to 80%, making teaching more efficient and impactful while ensuring every student receives a high-quality education.
Alaba: How do you envision the future of learning in Africa, and what role does your company play?
Emmanuel: I envision an Africa where technology eliminates barriers to education, enabling every child to access high-quality learning opportunities. AI Teacha will play a critical role in this future by equipping educators with tools to create personalized, engaging, and effective learning experiences. Our platform empowers teachers to reimagine their classrooms and inspires students to love learning.
Alaba: How do you measure the impact of your platform on learning outcomes?
Uche: We measure our impact through metrics like time saved by educators, improved student performance, and engagement rates on the platform. Additionally, we gather feedback from educators and collaborate with schools and education ministries to track progress. These insights help us refine our tools and ensure that AI Teacha continues to meet the needs of teachers and students.
Alaba: What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an EdTech entrepreneur in Africa?
Emmanuel & Uche: Infrastructure Challenges: Limited internet connectivity in rural areas makes it difficult to scale technology solutions widely. Adoption Barriers: Introducing educators to new technologies requires significant training and awareness efforts.
Funding: Scaling AI Teacha in underserved regions while keeping it affordable has been challenging, but partnerships with schools, governments, and NGOs are helping us overcome these obstacles. Despite these challenges, our shared passion for transforming education keeps us focused and persistent.
Alaba: Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring EdTech entrepreneurs? Both Founders: Emmanuel: Focus on solving real problems for educators and students. Build simple, scalable solutions, and don’t give up – transforming education is a long journey that requires patience and dedication.
Uche: Collaborate with teachers to understand their needs deeply. Invest in partnerships and prioritize affordability and impact in your solutions. Above all, believe in the power of education and technology to change lives.
Akpan Emmanuel is the Co-founder and Executive Director of International Community for Educational Technology -ICEDT makers of Ai Teacha. He is an Education Technology Consultant, a Microsoft Innovative Educator Master Trainer and a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert.He is a Global Teacher and a facilitator for Global Project – a UN Project on SDGs. He supervises classrooms from US, Canada, UK, India and Greece teaching SDGs.
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