Afripreneur
OceanHub Africa, Cape Town-based Ocean-Impact Catalyser Disrupting the Growing Blue Economy in Africa
Oceanhub Africa Team
OceanHub Africa, founded by Alexis Grosskopf and Stéphanie Canac is an organisation based in Cape-Town, South Africa that aims to accelerate the development and adoption of ocean-minded innovations, to unleash the power of African ocean innovators and place Cape Town at the forefront of a more sustainable ocean economy. In this interview with Alaba Ayinuola of Business Africa Online, Alexis and Stéphanie shared their journey and vision to be the movement that inspires more ocean-conscious entrepreneurs and form the tribe that demonstrates the commercial viability of an ocean-minded economy. Excerpt.
OceanHub Africa OHA and problem its solving:
OceanHub Africa was launched in July 2019. It is a non-profit ocean-impact catalyst initiative, supporting ocean-impact ventures in Africa through online acceleration programs and leading an international ocean-minded ecosystem. The organisation is a response to pressing ocean challenges. Having realised that there were B2C organisations in the ocean impact space raising people’s awareness and shifting individual behaviours, some B2G organisations lobbying policy-makers to regulate for ocean conservation, but limited to no B2B organisations helping ocean businesses reduce their impact and support their transition towards a sustainable ocean economy (or Blue Economy).
This, combined with the fact that Cape Town – where OHA was initially launched- sits virtually at the crossroads of three oceans, has good business and entrepreneurship support, strong Marine Science universities and an appeal for sustainable development. It appeared highly relevant to launch OHA.
Set milestones, achievements and impact:
Our mission is to inspire and assist innovative impact start-ups and nurture an environmentally conscious and profitable economy that would effectively mitigate the oceans’ over exploitation, pollution as well as the effects of global warming on the oceans. The first acceleration programme was successfully completed in 2020 despite the challenges and saw 6 startups of different stages (prototyping to growth stage), technologies (digital and hardware) and industries (aquaculture/fisheries, shipping/ship-building, marine renewables/biotechnologies, coastal tourism/ocean-sports, awareness/education) graduating during the Ocean Innovation Africa Summit in Nov 2020.
Our second cohort started earlier in April with 6 new promising African-based, ocean-minded, impact-for-profit innovative businesses.
OHA is supported by a range of partners such as WWF, Mission Blue, 1% for the planet, Dassault Systèmes, Amazon, Sigfox, the V&A Waterfront, French and African Diplomacies, and International Universities. It is a founding partner of the 1000 Ocean Startups coalition to accelerate Ocean Impact Innovation, bringing together the global ecosystem of incubators, accelerators, competitions, matching platforms and VCs supporting startups for ocean impact. Our objective is to scale at least 1000 transformative startups by the end of the Ocean Decade to restore ocean health and achieve SDG14.
Challenges:
Oceans are a common good which means that we need all stakeholders onboard to achieve and sustain our impact. Bringing organisations together and setting common objectives has proven challenging at times but that was the reason for launching Ocean Innovation Africa, a platform bringing authorities, universities/research centres, investors/entrepreneurs, foundations/NPOs and ocean industries together with the objectives to inspire more entrepreneurs, entice more private investors and catalyse more partnerships, and ultimately to accelerate the development and adoption of new sustainable technologies and policies to place the African continent at the forefront of a decidedly more sustainable ocean economy.
Funding:
Self-funded from the start, we are client-funded through consultancy projects and success fees on fund raises or commercial contracts for the startups we accelerate. That being said, we are looking for funding to support our growth.
COVID-19, business and survival strategy:
Initially, OHA was supposed to be an in-person program – enabled by the support of the V&A Waterfront. But our first cohort started in April 2020 when lockdowns were gradually placing our global economy on hold. We had to pivot in a matter of weeks to a fully online, more localised (SA) program and review our financing model. Indeed, regarding the latter, we had hoped to raise marketing and open innovation sponsorships from corporations to finance our activities but these two budgets were frozen in the face of the uncertain future of the then recent outbreak.
At that stage, we started our first consulting project – thanks to the support and trust of our partners, in particular the V&A Waterfront and WWF South Africa.
On current projects:
We are currently accelerating 6 startups from Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and South Africa, as well as continuing our support in the form of an Alumni Program to our first cohort of 6 (all South African startups). In parallel, we are delivering on a couple of consulting projects to promote and support coastal community projects in the South West Indian Ocean region, as well as another one on plastic pollution.
Finally, we are working on setting up an African Ocean Impact Fund – but still a long way to go.
Ocean economy development in Africa:
Oceans are the life support of our planet. They drive our climate, provide food and water to all living things, and connect our continents. The annual value of the global Ocean’s Economy (formal and informal) is estimated at $2.5 trillion and is expected to grow substantially, doubling by 2030. However, our societies are already generating tremendous stress and strain onto these ecosystems and this vast untapped economic potential needs to be addressed in a radically more sustainable manner. We believe it is down to businesses to implement that change and up us to promote more Oceans-conscious innovative businesses: innovations led by science, technology and entrepreneurship will provide the necessary leverage points to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), at the right pace and scale.
Africa offers a particularly high potential in terms of Blue Economy developments, paving the way to ocean community-based resource management and offering an ideal ground to test and scale impact innovation. Africa’s ocean economy – three times the size of its landmass – is on top of the continent’s political agenda and seen to be a major contributor to continental transformation and growth of industries such as fisheries and aquaculture, marine renewables and bio-technologies, boat building and shipping, coastal tourism and ocean-sports, etc. The development of the Blue Economy is an immensely important first step towards creating Sustainable Development pathways and this is what OceanHub Africa (OHA) and the Ocean Innovation Africa event (OIA) do.
The future for OHA:
Growing our network of partners in African coastal cities to support our pan-African growth and impact. And of course, setting up our accelerator fund.
F O U N D E R S B I O G R A P H P Y
Alexis Grosskopf is the co-founder and CEO of OceanHub Africa. His desire to build this startup incubator, specializing in technologies that have a positive impact on the ocean, was born out of his entrepreneurial and technological skills, his determination to tackle issues related to environmental protection and his identification of a real need to develop solutions that support blue growth.
Alexis holds a degree in mechanical engineering, business management and environmental engineering from the Universities of King’s College and Imperial College in London. His career has revolved around the themes of innovation and sustainable development, starting with research on solar hydrogen production, then moving on to consulting in environmental engineering and management at Bureau Veritas before joining Bouygues Construction as head of Research, Development and Innovation in the renovation sector.
His activity then turned towards the development of innovations through entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship. In 2017, he moved to South Africa to take charge of the activities of the French South African Tech Labs, an incubator with social impact in the field of information technology, before diving into the oceans with OceanHub Africa in 2019.
Stéphanie Canac is the co-founder of OceanHub Africa. Stéphanie co-created and implemented the acceleration program (content, tools, partnerships, mentors, application and selection process, etc.) and she has a mentoring role with accelerated startups. She participates in consolidating the local and global ecosystem, having in particular co-created the first international coalition of entrepreneurial support organizations focusing on ocean impact innovation (incubators / accelerators and VC funds) and representing the initiative in front of various institutions, such as the United Nations.
Stéphanie has former experience as portfolio manager at Silvertree Holdings, Cape-Town based VC fund (1.5 yr), supporting management teams on strategic decisions, setting up/ scaling operations and raising funds and as strategy consultant at A.T. Kearney (3 yrs), working across industries on strategic, operational and organizational projects as well as strategic due-diligences. She is a graduate from a MSc in Economics and Strategy for Business from Imperial College London and from a Master in Corporate Finance from Dauphine university in Paris.
Afripreneur
Oyindamola Ossi on building AI-powered e2e talent platform getting professionals hired globally
Oyindamola Ossi is an award-winning leader at the intersection of Technology, Global Human Resources, and digital innovation with over 10 years of transformative expertise. She is an AI Evangelist and the founder of VampAI, the “Tinder” for jobs. An e2e talent matching platform that helps ambitious talents match with businesses and get hired 7x faster by leveraging Artificial intelligence to craft compelling CVs, prepare for interviews in real-time, connect with employers, track their job applications, and ultimately land dignifying jobs in record time. In this interview with Alaba Ayinuola of Business Africa Online (BAO), Oyindamola shares her entrepreneurship journey and how her startup, VampAI is providing in-demand tools that help talents match faster with businesses and land dignifying jobs. Excerpts.
Alaba: Can you tell us about your journey into building AI Technologies. What galvanised you to start Vamp?
Oyindamola: Throughout my corporate career across 3 regions (Africa, The Middle East and Europe) I worked with talent, and I see first-hand how 3 in 5 early to mid-level professionals struggle to either articulate their skills sets or lack the confidence to qualify their experience in a way that gets them closer to the job. I tried to address this problem by offering 1-2-1 interview preps, CV and Linkedin clinics but I quickly realised how unsustainable that can be, if I wanted to achieve my goal of helping 100 million talents match with dignifying jobs by 2030, we needed to leverage technology to scale our solution for growth, sustainability, and impact. This is how VampAI was born.
Alaba: How did you identify your niche in the market and What makes your proposition special?
Oyindamola: I knew our niche was a problem early professionals faced because I have seen it, but it became apparent when data also confirmed it. We realised there was a significant gap between job seekers and recruiters in terms of time, quality of matches, and inclusivity. Our proposition is special because it combines AI-driven CV building, interview preparation, job board and AI talent matching into one seamless platform. This end-to-end solution not only empowers candidates to present their best selves but also enables businesses to find and connect with talent faster and more accurately.
Alaba: How do you prepare yourself for an AI-driven world? What is it that excites you about what you’re building?
Oyindamola: I have embraced the ethical use of AI and I believe everybody should, I’m particularly excited about the potential of AI to solve human challenges at scale. AI is re-imagining how we do everything from how talent matches with jobs to how medical diagnostics are carried out.
To prepare for an AI-driven world, I stay ahead by investing in continuous learning and keeping pace with the latest technological advancements.
What excites me the most is how AI can level the playing field and create a fairer hiring landscape, so I wake up every day with a fresh energy to ensure our products solve that pain-point for our users.
Alaba: How is AI/ML transforming Hiring practices and what is your key message to HR leaders?
Oyindamola: AI and ML are transforming hiring by automating administrative tasks, improving candidate matching accuracy, and reducing unconscious bias. These technologies also enable real-time insights, which make decision-making faster and more data driven. My key message to HR leaders is to embrace AI but use it as an enabler rather than a replacement for human intuition. AI can make the hiring process more efficient and equitable, but the human element empathy, understanding, and culture fit remains crucial.
Alaba: How do you feel as an African female tech entrepreneur based in the diaspora?
Oyindamola: Being an African female tech entrepreneur in the diaspora is both a privilege and a challenge. I feel proud to represent a growing wave of underrepresented voices in tech, and it motivates me to push boundaries. However, the journey comes with its unique challenges, from breaking into networks to overcoming biases. My background gives me a distinct perspective on diversity and inclusion, which is reflected in the products we build. I see my role not just as a founder but as a trailblazer for other women and minorities aspiring to enter tech.
Alaba: What are your top predictions and must-watch technologies? How much of these technologies would be influenced by adoption of Hiring/ Recruitment technologies?
Oyindamola: I believe the future of tech lies in advancements in AI, quantum computing, and augmented reality (AR). For recruitment, AI will continue to evolve, making the hiring process more automated and personalised. Predictive analytics and sentiment analysis will also play major roles, allowing companies to forecast hiring needs and better understand candidates. The adoption of these technologies will drive efficiency and inclusivity, particularly in helping HR teams make data-backed decisions while avoiding common hiring pitfalls.
Alaba: Where do you see your VampAI in the next 5 years?
Oyindamola: I see VampAI being the leading e2e talent platform providing in-demand tools that help talents match faster with businesses and land dignifying jobs. We aim to expand into new markets, particularly in emerging economies where access to opportunities is limited. Our goal is to be at the forefront of innovation, continually refining our tools to not only meet but anticipate the needs of both job seekers and businesses. We plan to introduce more personalised AI-driven features, ensuring we remain the go-to platform for talents looking for their next role and for businesses looking to match with qualified talents.
Alaba: What advice would you give to aspiring tech entrepreneurs?
Oyindamola: Focus on solving real problems, listen to your users, go for it, and don’t stop till you make it happen. The world is literally waiting for your solution.
Anny Robert, a Lagos-based artist, specializes in capturing black elegance in single frames, emphasizing authenticity and mutual exchange between subject and potential. His work navigates life’s dualities seamlessly, blending themes of humanity, divinity, myth, and identity. Through his art studio, Anny sparks conversations on emerging social commentary, challenging viewers to reevaluate beliefs and embrace cultural heritage with introspection. In this Interview with Alaba Ayinuola of Business Africa Online (BAO), Anny shares his journey into the world of art, inspiration and how he is leading a creative revolution in African storytelling using photography. Excerpts.
Alaba: Could you tell us about your journey into the world of art and what inspired you to establish Anny Robert Art Studio?
Anny: My journey into art began during the COVID pandemic. As a portrait photographer, my work relied heavily on people, and when the lockdown hit, everything stopped. It made me realize how dependent I was on physical interaction and that I needed to find new ways to express my creativity without those limits.
That’s when I started exploring new fields. I learned 3D modeling, got into Blender, and began creating remotely. The shift in focus was freeing in a way—it allowed me to start experimenting beyond traditional photography. And after the lockdown, I found myself fully immersed in creating art pieces that blended photography with other forms of visual storytelling.
Another driving factor was my desire to tap into the global market. I realized that if I wanted to reach a certain level, I needed to embrace things like exhibitions, awards, and other markers of artistic achievement. Up until then, I had been entirely focused on commercial work, and it became clear that I needed to expand my focus. Establishing the Art Studio was my response to that realization it’s a reflection of my evolution as an artist and my drive to push creative boundaries.
Alaba: In what ways do you believe photography can be a catalyst for cultural exchange and economic growth in Nigeria?
Anny: Nigeria has a rich and diverse culture, with so many stories and histories that often go untold. Photography and videography give us a chance to share these stories, and give people a glimpse into our culture, our way of life, and what makes us unique. This can help boost tourism and the economy. By capturing our landscapes, landmarks, and cultural highlights, photography plays a big role in attracting people and showing them what Nigeria has to offer.
Alaba: Anny, you have risen to become one of Nigeria’s successful celebrity photographers. Can you briefly tell us how you got to the top and managing stardom?
Anny: I’ve always focused on carving out a clear niche for myself. My background in graphic design really helped me stand out because it influenced the way I approach and create my photographs. It gave my work a unique edge, from how I conceptualize to how I deliver the final images. People are naturally drawn to something fresh and different, and I think that played a big role in my rise to where I am today.
Alaba: How do you feel being mentored by one of Nigeria’s top photographers and what is your advice for budding photoghers building their brands?
Anny: It was a great opportunity, and I’m deeply grateful for everyone who has supported me along the way. My journey wasn’t a solo effort; many people and photographers have influenced and guided me to where I am now.
For budding photographers looking to build their brands, my advice is to be intentional about your work. Treat your photography as a business, not just a hobby. Establish a clear structure, build strong relationships with clients and brands, and always strive to improve. Focus on competing with yourself aim to surpass your previous work and continually push your boundaries. Intentionality and a desire for growth are key to advancing in this field.
Alaba: What steps do you recommend for photographers who are looking to turn their passion into a sustainable business?
Anny: If you’re turning your photography into a sustainable business, there are several key aspects to consider from the start. Focus on setting up a solid structure and being meticulous with your data. Keep track of your numbers, including client information, expenses, income, and profits.
Regularly review your performance month by month to identify trends, such as peak and slow periods. Being intentional about managing these details will help you understand your business better and make informed decisions for growth.
Alaba: How do you envision the role of government and financial institutions in fostering growth within the creative industry, particularly in the field of photography?
Anny: To foster growth within the creative industry, the government needs to create a supportive environment for creatives to thrive. This means setting up systems and infrastructure that make it easier for us to work and succeed. Even when conditions aren’t ideal, creatives will continue to produce great work, but having a supportive framework would amplify our potential and make our work more impactful.
For financial institutions, there should be tailored financial facilities that support creatives turning their work into businesses. Just as financial institutions focus on other sectors, they should also recognize the importance of the creative sector. We’ve seen the music industry thrive, partly due to financial backing from various sources. Similar support for other creative fields could help them grow and succeed on a global scale. Creating an enabling environment, like those found in other countries, would significantly benefit our industry.
Alaba: What are the most significant opportunities and trends shaping the future of photography, particularly in the Nigerian context?
Anny: Looking at the future of photography in Nigeria, some things stand out for me. Firstly, social media is sparking new levels of creativity, as people bring fresh, unique ideas to their photos. Collaboration among creatives is also on the rise, which is great as it helps everyone grow and innovate together.
Finally, many photographers are expanding beyond traditional photography and exploring new possibilities just like I did. I personally believe, embracing these trends can help photographers thrive in our changing world.
Alaba: Lastly: What advice do you have for aspiring photographers who are navigating the challenges of building their brand and finding their niche in the industry?
Anny: For aspiring photographers, my key advice is to break down your big goals into smaller, manageable steps. Large ambitions can feel overwhelming, but tackling them bit by bit makes them more achievable. Focus on what you can do right now and set small, actionable goals to work towards.
Finding your niche is also crucial. Discover what you’re truly passionate about and excel in that area. A strong niche helps build a recognizable brand when people think of a certain type of photography, like portraits or weddings, they should think of you. Specializing makes it easier for others to identify your expertise and remember you for that particular style or subject. Building a reputation in a specific niche will make you stand out and attract the right opportunities.
Stephen Adeyemo is a social entrepreneur, product designer, and founder of Resavation, a rental application addressing the challenges of renting accommodation in Nigeria. Stephen contributes to digital economy policy at the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) and is a proud member of Forbes BLK, driving innovation and strategic solutions in proptech to enhance access to housing in Nigeria. In this interview with Alaba Ayinuola of Business Africa Online (BAO), Stephen shares his entrepreneurial journey and he is building Resavation and redefining the proptech space. Excerpt.
Alaba: Could you briefly tell us about your entrepreneurship journey and what inspired you to launch Resavation?
Stephen: My entrepreneurship journey started in 2017 when I came across Unilever Young Entrepreneurs Awards and this made me write my first business plan but I wasn’t selected. Fast forward to 2018 when I got into Obafemi Awolowo University, I had a challenge renting first accommodation as a freshman, it was time consuming and stressful and I was exploited by my house agent paying double of my rent to him. This horrible experience made me birth Resavation to solve difficulty renting accommodation in Nigeria.
Alaba: How did you identify the market need and who are your target audience?
Stephen: The market need for Resavation was identified through personal experience and market research. As a student at Obafemi Awolowo University, I faced challenges renting accommodation, including lengthy property searches and scams. This highlighted a gap in the market for a reliable, digital rental solution. Further research revealed widespread difficulties with transparency, trust, and convenience in Nigeria’s rental sector. Our target audience includes young professionals, students, and families looking for safe, hassle-free rental experiences. We focus on tech-savvy individuals in urban areas who prefer digital solutions for property search, inspections, and rent payments.
Alaba: How does Resavation work and what is your revenue model?
Stephen: Resavation is a digital platform that simplifies property rentals by allowing users to search for properties, book inspections, and pay rent online. Users can browse verified property listings, schedule visits, and complete transactions securely, minimizing the risk of scams. Landlords can list properties, manage tenants, and receive payments through the platform. Our revenue model is commission-based: we charge a percentage on successful property rentals, collect fees from landlords for premium listings, and offer subscription plans for additional services like rent savings plans and credit score boosting tools for tenants.
Alaba: Can you tell us how Resavation is currently leveraging AI in addressing the challenges facing the real estate sector?
Stephen: Resavation leverages AI to address key challenges in the real estate sector by enhancing user experience, optimizing property recommendations, and improving security. Through AI-powered algorithms, we use content-based filtering to match users with properties based on their preferences, ensuring personalized property recommendations. Additionally, AI helps us verify property authenticity by analyzing property data and detecting potential fraud patterns. We also plan to integrate AI-driven solutions for rent savings and credit score boosting, enabling tenants to build financial credibility. This AI integration enhances trust, efficiency, and personalization, addressing the pain points of Nigeria’s rental market.
Alaba: Where do you see Proptech in the next 5 years?
Stephen: In the next 5 years, PropTech is poised to revolutionize the real estate sector with increased digital adoption, AI integration, and blockchain technology. Property transactions will become more seamless and transparent through digital platforms, reducing the need for intermediaries and paperwork. AI will drive personalized experiences, from tailored property recommendations to predictive maintenance and smart building management. Blockchain is expected to streamline transactions and title transfers, enhancing security and reducing fraud. Virtual and augmented reality will also transform property viewing, enabling immersive, remote inspections. Overall, PropTech will make real estate more efficient, data-driven, and customer-centric.
Alaba: Where do you see Resavation in the next 5 years?
Stephen: In the next 5 years, I see Resavation becoming a leading PropTech platform in Nigeria and expanding across Africa. We aim to be the go-to digital solution for renting, offering seamless property search, inspection, and rent payment experiences. With continued AI integration, we plan to introduce advanced features like predictive property recommendations, rent savings plans, and tenant credit score boosting. Our vision is to expand into property management and sales, offering end-to-end real estate solutions. Additionally, by forming strategic partnerships, we hope to foster trust in the market and drive digital transformation in Africa’s real estate sector.
Alaba: Lastly and in your opinion, what are the most significant opportunities and trends in the proptech sector?
Stephen: The PropTech sector is brimming with opportunities, particularly in AI-driven property management, blockchain for secure transactions, and virtual reality for immersive property tours. AI offers personalized experiences, predictive analytics for property values, and tenant screening automation. Blockchain presents opportunities for transparent, fraud-resistant property sales and smart contracts. The rise of virtual and augmented reality can revolutionize property viewing, enabling buyers and renters to inspect properties remotely. Additionally, the growing demand for sustainable and smart buildings creates a trend towards energy-efficient solutions.
