Inside the Techosystem

In this episode, we talk to Ifelade Ayodele, co-founder and CEO of Blaaiz, a cross-border payment and remittance company. We discuss Ife's journey from studying physics to working in finance and eventually founding Blaaiz. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities in the African FinTech landscape, the impact of his experiences at Stanbic Bank, and the vision behind Blaaiz. Ife shares insights on the audacity of Nigerian entrepreneurs and the future outlook for African founders in raising capital. You can reach Ifelade at: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ifelade-ayodele/ Show Notes & Resources (02:01) - Introducing Ifelade (11:00) - The Journey to Founding Blaaiz (22:18) - Navigating the African Fintech Landscape (31:25) - Advice for Aspiring African Entrepreneurs

In this episode, we sit down with Zillah Waminaje, a health technology expert, to discuss her journey in the health tech sector, the integration of technology with healthcare, and the innovations transforming health product access in Africa. Zillah shares insights on the challenges and opportunities within the health tech landscape, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and regulatory frameworks in driving impactful solutions. You can reach Zillah and Salient Advisory at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zillahywaminaje/ https://x.com/salientadvisory/ https://www.salientadvisory.com/ Follow us: X (Twitter): https://x.com/insidethetechos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidethetechos You can subscribe to our newsletter at https://insidethetechosystem.kit.com/ Show Notes & Resources (00:00) - Introduction to Health Tech and Its Integration with Healthcare (02:58) - Zila Waminage: A Journey in Health Technology (05:54) - Impactful Health Initiatives During COVID-19 (09:07) - Understanding Health Tech Innovations (11:58) - The Interconnectedness of Health Tech and Healthcare (14:48) - Challenges and Opportunities in Health Tech (18:02) - Salient Advisory: Bridging Innovators and Governments (26:32) - Overview of Health Product Access in Africa (30:17) - Innovators in Health Supply Chain (36:41) - Government Partnerships and Bureaucracy (43:32) - Financial Sustainability for Health Startups (46:49) - Future of Health Tech Innovations

In this episode of Inside the Techosystem, we are joined by Kristin H. Wilson. Kristin is the Chief Strategy Officer at Spurt and Managing Partner at Innovate Africa Fund. Kristen shares her unique journey from aspiring doctor to venture capital expert, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practices in entrepreneurship. The discussion highlights the significant role of the African diaspora in funding startups and the need for effective problem-solving in the entrepreneurial landscape. You can reach Kristin at: https://x.com/kristinhwilson https://www.linkedin.com/in/hkristinwilson Follow us: X (Twitter): https://x.com/insidethetechos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidethetechos/ You can subscribe to our newsletter at https://insidethetechosystem.ck.page Show Notes & Resources (05:51) - Kristin Wilson’s Journey in Tech and Venture Capital (09:05) - The Role of the African Diaspora in Venture Capital (11:58) - Understanding Problems vs. Solutions in Entrepreneurship (14:52) - The Importance of Mentorship and Market Access (29:57) - Navigating Challenges in the Tech Ecosystem (30:54) - Unlocking Connections: The Importance of Networking (33:54) - Reevaluating the Move: Perspectives on Relocation (35:11) - Innovate Africa Fund: Scaling Sustainable Innovation (39:51) - Founder-First Approach: Supporting Entrepreneurs (43:52) - Investment Dynamics: Early Stage Challenges (47:34) - The Methodology of Due Diligence (50:35) - Diaspora Engagement: Attracting Limited Partners (52:03) - Learning from Global Markets: Inspiration for Innovation (55:28) - The Future of Spurt: Culture and Expectations (57:48) - Living the Dream: Personal Aspirations and Future Goals

In this episode, we interview Douglas Kendyson, the founder and CEO of Selar, the largest creator platform in Africa. Douglas shares his journey in tech, from software engineering to becoming a full-time entrepreneur with Selar. We also discuss the African creator economy, the future of work, and the role of AI in content creation. Follow InsidetheTechosystem on Twitter & Instagram: @insidethetechos Send any questions or feedback you have to [email protected] You can subscribe to our newsletter at ⁠https://insidethetechosystem.substack.com⁠ Show Notes & Resources (05:18) Introducing Douglas Kendyson (18:52) The Rise of the Creator Economy (24:50) Building a Successful Product in the Creator Economy (27:52) From AWS Credits to Full-Time Focus (31:07) Team Growth and Transition (35:30) Selar: A Store Builder, Not Just a Marketplace (38:26) Commission and the Affiliate Network (51:21) The African creator economy and the future of work (55:00) Sourcing data and conducting surveys for industry reports (56:28) The role of AI in content creation: Enhancing, not replacing, creators (01:03:16) Transitioning from engineering to entrepreneurship: A personal journey (01:09:04) Advice for aspiring creators: Invest in your craft and be strategic in your marketing