Founders Connect

What would you do if the most profitable part of your business was the hardest part to scale?In this exclusive Founders Connect episode, we sat down with Paul Kimani, the CEO and co-founder of Workpay, to dive into his unconventional entrepreneurial journey, the bold decisions that shaped Workpay, and the hard lessons learned along the way.From studying electrical engineering to working as a mechanical engineer, and eventually founding one of Africa’s most innovative payroll and HR tech platforms based in Kenya but used across Africa. Paul’s story is one of clarity, risk-taking, and strategic thinking.Paul shares how he made the difficult decision to shut down the most profitable part of his business — and how it paid off. Instead of chasing traction, he chose scalability and competitive advantage. That decision changed everything.Whether you're a founder, aspiring entrepreneur, tech enthusiast, or investor interested in African startups, Paul's journey will give you fresh insight into what it means to build and scale intentionally.🎯 Timestamps00:00 - Intro03:13 - Paul's Background05:23 - Why He Shut Down His Consultancy Business06:35 - Pivotal Moments That Influenced Him10:40 - How Workpay Started17:13 - Rebranding Workpay: Name Change17:58 - Most Challenging Decisions19:56 - Raising Money and the Funding Rounds27:40 - Risks and Mistakes He Regrets30:16 - What Global Expansion Looks Like for Workpay37:44 - Final Lessons for Entrepreneurs🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you don’t miss more incredible founder stories from across Africa.Get your tickets to The Builders Summit 2025 here: https://tix.africa/discover/momentumConnect with Us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersconnect_Twitter/X: https://www.x.com/theFCshow_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundersconnectshow

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Tobi Asu-Johnson, the founder of Zap Africa, to discuss his vision for building Africa's biggest crypto wallet.

With the rise of crypto adoption in Africa, Tobi shares his insights on the opportunities and challenges of creating a blockchain solution that caters to the unique needs of the African market. He also shares some valuable crypto tips and his thoughts on the future of the crypto market in Africa.

Zap technology is revolutionising the way Africans interact with cryptocurrency, and Tobi's innovative approach is putting Africa on the global crypto map. If you're interested in African startups, blockchain solutions, and the growth of crypto in Africa, then this video is for you. Tune in to learn more about Zap Africa and how it's changing the game for crypto enthusiasts across the continent.

In this inspiring and deeply insightful conversation, we take you on a journey through the eyes of someone who’s been building in the Nigerian tech space for over a decade.Tunde Ajibawo is the current Head of Engineering at SystemSpecs Deelaa. With over a decade of experience in building software and leading teams, Tunde has contributed to the success of several tech-driven companies in Nigeria. He’s a big believer in structure, learning the fundamentals, and growing people.In this video, he shares:- how he got into tech before it became mainstream in Nigeria, - what the tech landscape looked like in Nigeria in the early 2000s, - the companies he’s worked with and how he’s navigated roles from Junior Developer to now, Head of Engineering, - what he did to stand out and grow quickly in a fast-paced ecosystem- his take on startups, remote working and also scaling fast- and most importantly—why mastering the fundamentals has been key to his growthTunde doesn’t just talk about his career growth, he shares his doubts, his unfinished ideas, and how he’s grown through constant learning. This is one of those videos where you’ll want to pause and take notes.For founders, it’s a reminder that not everyone has to start a company to make impact.For engineers, it’s a masterclass on growth and leadership.For students, it’s proof that consistency and curiosity go a long way.For tech operators, it’s a peek into the minds of the people building Africa’s digital backbone.Whether you're a tech founder, tech professional, a student just starting out, or a career professional navigating your next role, this video is packed with real talk, practical advice, and a lot of personal stories that will leave you motivated and informed.Let’s hear from you!Drop a comment to share your biggest takeaway from Tunde’s story. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more tech stories from across Africa .📌 Follow us on other social media platforms:Instagram: https://instagram.com/foundersconnect_ X(Twitter): https://instagram.com/theFCshow_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundersconnectshow 🎟️ Get your tickets to The Builders Summit: https://www.foundersconnect.xyz/tbs2025

In this video, we dive into Antler, a global early-stage investor that's backing the world's most ambitious founders and building the fastest-growing portfolio of venture-backed startups across the globe.

This video is specifically for founders looking to scale or anyone just curious about how top VCs help startups grow from idea to impact, this video breaks down how Antler supports early-stage startups with funding, resources, and expert guidance to accelerate their journey.

This episode is a must-watch for content creators, aspiring creators, and entrepreneurs looking to grow their audience and build a sustainable content business. In this episode of Creators Jam, Peace Itimi and Caleb Maru dive into the process of building a loyal audience—sharing their experiences, strategies, and insights on what really works.Don't forget to subscribe, leave a comment and share.

In this exclusive interview, Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong shares his journey from his love for science to founding 54gene, a company that set out to revolutionize Africa’s genomics industry. He opens up about the company’s mission, key milestones, impact during COVID-19, and the shocking truth behind the hostile takeover that led to its downfall.

In this #FoundersConnect Live in London segment with Olugbeminiyi Idowu, Founder and Managing Director of Talking Drum Communications, talks to us about the importance of effective storytelling for your brand.

In this power-packed panel session, Bunmi Akinyemiju of Greenhouse Capital Africa and Lexi Novitske of Norrsken22, share insights on everything founders need to know about securing funding, pitching with confidence, and avoiding costly mistakes. They shared key factors investors look for before writing that check, the red flags that instantly turn investors away (and how to avoid them), strategies to stand out from the crowd and make investors see your potential and many more.